A New Chapter for the Bulldogs
The University of Georgia announced that its men’s basketball program will open the 2026‑27 season with a high‑profile matchup against Duke at Madison Square Garden as part of the annual Jimmy V Classic. The game is scheduled for early December and will pit the Bulldogs against a Blue Devils squad that finished the previous season with a 35‑3 record and is widely viewed as a national championship contender.
In addition to the New York showdown, Georgia will travel to Orlando for the ESPN Events Invitational, where it will join a field that includes other elite programs. The tournament, slated for late November, will give the Bulldogs a chance to test their mettle against a variety of opponents before conference play begins.
A Historic Reunion with North Carolina
Perhaps the most anticipated fixture on the schedule is the November 13 meeting with the University of North Carolina. The two schools last faced each other in 1998, and the upcoming contest marks the first meeting in nearly three decades. Analysts expect the game to draw significant attention from fans and media alike.
Coach Mike White, now in his third year at the helm, has guided the Bulldogs to their best season in decades, finishing 22‑11 and securing back‑to‑back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time since the early 2000s. White’s emphasis on defensive intensity and balanced scoring has revitalized the program and attracted heightened recruiting interest.
The momentum behind the team received a substantial boost when alumnus Adam Wexler, a 2007 graduate and founder of PrizePicks, pledged a $10 million donation to support men’s basketball. Wexler, who also serves as CEO of The Hidden Jams, said the gift will be directed toward facility upgrades, staff development and scholarship resources.
University officials say the infusion of capital will allow the athletic department to enhance the fan experience, modernize practice facilities and expand recruiting outreach. The contribution underscores a growing trend of former players investing in the long‑term competitiveness of their alma mater.