![Kentucky head coach Mark Pope reacts during the second half of a NCAA mens basketball game at Steven C. O'Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, February 14, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_340,y_0,w_1841,h_1035/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/198/01khj5zyhw4tytrgm05y.jpg "Kentucky head coach Mark Pope reacts during the second half of a NCAA mens basketball game at Steven C. O'Connell Center Exactek arena in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, February 14, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]")
Kentucky dropped a tough, incredibly frustrating game to Florida on Saturday. And while the loss stings on its own, it really put the Wildcats in a mess regarding the SEC standings.
Right now, Kentucky is sitting at 8-4 in conference play, tied in a logjam with Vanderbilt, Alabama, and Tennessee for the coveted number three spot.
Why the SEC standings matter right now
The reason this is so critically important is the SEC Tournament in Greenville. The top four teams get the ultimate prize: a double-bye. The next four get a single bye. Everyone else has to play on the opening day.
If your goal is to get to the semifinals and preserve your legs for a deep NCAA Tournament run, the higher you finish, the easier that path becomes. With only six games to go, Kentucky absolutely has to win their home games, and that starts Tuesday night against Georgia.
Scouting the Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia (17-8, 5-7 SEC) is coming into Rupp Arena desperate for a win after dropping a bad game to Oklahoma. But do not let their conference record fool you; this is a very dangerous offensive team.
Georgia loves to push the pace. They are currently averaging 90.3 points per game (ranked 3rd nationally) and take almost 67 shots a contest. They do most of their damage inside the arc, shooting an impressive 58% on two-point attempts.
For all their offensive firepower, they are an incredibly poor three-point shooting team. They only shoot 31.7% from deep (ranked 289th nationally). If Kentucky can pack the paint and force them to shoot from the outside, the Cats will have a massive advantage.
Georgia gives up nearly 80 points a game. More importantly, they struggle on the defensive glass, allowing opponents to grab over 12 offensive rebounds a game.
Players to watch
In SEC conference play, the Bulldogs have relied heavily on a very balanced offensive attack.
Sophomore guard Jeremiah Wilkinson leads the way, averaging 16.9 points and 1.7 steals per game in conference action. Backing him up in the backcourt is Marcus Millender (13.5 points, 3.1 assists) and the always-dangerous Blue Cain (11.4 points, 5.0 rebounds).
Down low, Kentucky will have to deal with forward Kanon Catchings, who is averaging nearly 13 points and five boards a game in SEC play.
This is a game where Kentucky has to stop the bleeding. If the Cats want to secure that double-bye and prove they are a legitimate threat in March, they have to take care of business at home against a dangerous, high-scoring offense.
How to watch and listen to Kentucky vs. Georgia
Date: Tuesday, February 17th
Time: 9:00 PM
Location: Lexington, KY (Rupp Arena)
Streaming: Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, Sling TV (Blue & Orange Plan)
Radio: Online: Stream live at UKAthletics.com or on WLAP 630.
Local FM/AM Stations:
Lexington: 98.1 FM / 630 WLAP
Louisville: 840 AM WHAS
London: 103.9 FM WWEL
Hazard/Pikeville: 101.1 WSGS
Madisonville: 93.9 FM WKTG