Stegeman Coliseum was rocking late into the evening Wednesday as Georgia topped Arkansas 76-66 in a game which the Bulldogs never trailed. The Dawgs improved to 12-3 on the season and 2-0 in SEC play for the first time in a decade.

Georgia is 10-0 in Athens this season.

The Steg will open its doors again Saturday as UGA puts its 10-game win streak – the program’s longest since Harry Truman occupied the oval office – on the line against #5 Tennessee.

“We’re going to need everyone from Savannah to Atlanta, everywhere in between and all the counties surrounding Athens on Saturday,” said Georgia Coach Mike White.

Tennessee (11-4, 1-1 SEC) arrives in Athens after seeing its own 7-game win streak snapped at Mississippi State Wednesday. MSU pulled off the upset thanks in large part to a breakout performance by 6’10” PF Tolu Smith, who put up 23 points. Georgia will see Smith and the Bulldogs on February 7th in Starkville.

Entering Wednesday, the Volunteers hadn’t lost since November 29th. They’ve had their way with just about every one on their schedule, with the exception of a few highly-ranked clubs. Up until the trip to Miss. St, Tennessee’s only 3 losses were to #1 Purdue, #3 Kansas and #7 North Carolina.

The Vols have a host of prolific scorers, but none have packed a punch quite like Dalton Knecht. Knecht’s averaging 16 points per game and boasts a field goal percentage of 46.3. The Colorado native and Northern Colorado transfer has started all 15 tilts so far this season.

Fellow guard Josiah-Jordan James has been a reliable force for over 4 seasons in Knoxville. Expect the 5th-year senior to log upwards of 30 minutes in Athens. James has also been averaging double figures in the scoring column this season and is the Vol’s leading rebounder. (7 rpg)

The biggest guy wearing orange Saturday will be Jonas Aidoo. The 6’11” junior – and his 52.2 FG% – has been a nuisance for opponents all season. Aidoo also averages 6.9 rpg and 1.4 blocks per game.

The Volunteers are coached by Rick Barnes, who’s in his ninth season at the helm. Prior to arriving in Knoxville, Barnes held the head coaching position at Texas (1998-2015), Clemson (1994-98), Providence (1988-94) and George Mason. (1987-88) He was named the Naismith Coach of the Year in 2019. Tennessee spent the entirety of the last two seasons in the Top-25 and are right back in mix this year.

“They are a team that could win the whole thing. That’s just the level they’re at,” said White. “But we’re playing really good basketball. It’s going to be fun.”

Justin Hill and Noah Thomasson continue to turn heads. The pair of senior guards – both from Houston, Texas – both went 6-of-13 Wednesday. Hill finished with 19 points off the bench while Thomasson added 15. Look for each guy to continue firing the rock against Tennessee.

How they stack up

Georgia’s key wins: Wake Forest, at Florida State, at Missouri, Arkansas

Tennessee’s key wins: at #15 Wisconsin, Syracuse, #10 Illinois, Ole Miss

Most recent meeting: Jan. 25, 2023 (Tenn def. UGA, 70-41)

Series history: Tennessee leads 78-51