Basketball

Georgia Bulldogs Gear Up for 2026‑27 Season with Key Preseason Matchups

Returning starters and new staff aim to extend NCAA streak

Preseason Schedule and Staff Changes

The Georgia Bulldogs are set to kick off their 2026‑27 campaign with a trio of preseason exhibitions that will test their depth before the regular season begins.

On October 7 the team travels to face Georgia State, then meets Charlotte on October 16, and finally squares off against Clemson on October 23, each game offering a different tactical challenge.

Veteran assistant Jonas Hayes, who once led Georgia State, has returned to the Bulldogs’ bench, while Jon Cremins, a former Vanderbilt aide, now directs the Georgia State program, adding fresh storylines to the matchups.

Georgia and Clemson have a long‑standing rivalry, having met 83 times historically; their most recent encounter ended in a 97‑94 overtime loss during the Charleston Classic in November.

Coach Mike White closed out his fourth season with a 22‑11 record and a 10‑win haul in SEC play, marking the program’s first back‑to‑back NCAA Tournament appearances since the 2001‑02 stretch.

The Bulldogs will open the regular season on November 2 against North Carolina Central, a game that will also showcase the four returning starters — Smurf Millender, Blue Cain, Kanon Catchings and Kareem Stagg — who are expected to anchor the lineup.

White emphasized that the continuity of these players not only bolsters the team’s talent but also reinforces a winning culture aimed at a third straight NCAA berth.

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