Georgia Coach Mike White on Bulldogs’ Awful Start: ‘Didn’t See That Coming’

As the 2025 college basketball season enters full swing, expectations for the Georgia Bulldogs were high, but the team’s disappointing start has left both fans and coaches scratching their heads. Coming off a challenging but promising season, the Bulldogs entered the campaign with renewed optimism under head coach Mike White, who took over the program in 2023. However, the team’s early struggles have taken many by surprise, and White himself was candid in admitting that he did not expect the team to struggle this much out of the gate.

The Bulldogs’ Slow Start to 2025

After a season full of ups and downs, the Georgia Bulldogs were expected to be more competitive this year. With a mixture of returning players and talented newcomers, the Bulldogs were hoping to make a deeper run into the SEC and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. However, a series of unexpected losses has seen Georgia struggle early on, posting an underwhelming record in the first few weeks of SEC play.

The Bulldogs’ offense has been inconsistent, and their defense has often looked disjointed. Despite the presence of key players like Kario Oquendo, who showed flashes of brilliance last season, and promising newcomers like Mylik Wilson and Brandon Boston Jr., the team has failed to put together a complete performance. Georgia’s losses have not only been frustrating, but they’ve also come against teams they were expected to compete with or even beat.

In a recent press conference, Coach Mike White didn’t mince words about the struggles the team has faced so far. Reflecting on the season’s unexpected turn, White expressed his frustration, saying, “I didn’t see that coming. We have a talented group of players, but for some reason, things just aren’t clicking right now. It’s frustrating, but we’ll get this figured out. We’ve got to remain patient, keep working hard, and find a way to turn it around.”

While White’s words were honest, there’s no denying that the Bulldogs’ slow start has raised concerns. From poor shooting percentages to defensive lapses, there have been numerous factors contributing to Georgia’s underwhelming play. However, as the season progresses, Coach White and the Bulldogs’ coaching staff will need to address these issues quickly if they want to salvage their season and meet the expectations that were placed upon them.

Key Issues Affecting the Bulldogs’ Play

Several key issues have plagued Georgia throughout the early part of the 2025 season. These struggles have contributed to the team’s poor performance and have kept them from gaining any real momentum in SEC play. Here are some of the primary factors affecting the Bulldogs’ performance:

1. Offensive Inconsistency

One of the most glaring issues for Georgia has been their offensive inconsistency. Coming into the season, there was hope that the Bulldogs would be able to generate more scoring depth, but that simply has not been the case. Kario Oquendo, a dynamic guard who had previously shown flashes of potential, has struggled to find his rhythm in the early part of the season. Despite his scoring ability, Oquendo has faced difficulties with his shooting accuracy, particularly from beyond the arc.

The Bulldogs’ offense, as a whole, has been erratic. They have had stretches where they simply cannot buy a bucket, and then at times, they’ll string together a few solid possessions only to falter again. Justin Hill, the transfer guard, was expected to provide stability and leadership on offense, but he too has faced difficulties adjusting to the pace and style of SEC competition.

Coach Mike White’s offensive system is predicated on spacing and ball movement, but the Bulldogs have struggled with execution in those areas. The lack of a clear offensive identity has left Georgia in limbo. Without consistent scoring options, the team has often been forced to rely on individual performances, which has led to a lack of cohesion and chemistry on the court.

2. Defensive Struggles

The Bulldogs’ defense has also been an area of concern. Known for his defensive acumen, Mike White has built his coaching career on tough, physical defense, but his team has failed to live up to those standards so far this season. Georgia’s inability to stop opposing offenses has been a key factor in their struggles.

The Bulldogs have allowed opponents to shoot a high percentage from the floor and have struggled to close out on shooters. Defensive rotations have been sloppy at times, leaving wide-open shots for opponents. While Terry Roberts has been solid defensively, Georgia has not been able to find consistent lockdown defenders outside of him. Furthermore, the Bulldogs’ inability to generate turnovers has prevented them from creating easy scoring opportunities in transition.

White has emphasized that the team’s defensive lapses need to be addressed immediately. In his press conference, he acknowledged that while he understood his team was in a rebuilding phase, “We can’t afford to give up 80 points a night and expect to win many games. We have to play better defensively, and that’s something we are going to focus on moving forward.”

3. Inexperience and Adjusting to SEC Play

Another issue that has hampered Georgia’s start is the team’s lack of experience in high-pressure SEC games. While many of the Bulldogs’ players have talent, several of them are still adjusting to the intensity of college basketball’s toughest conference. Newcomers like Brandon Boston Jr., a highly touted recruit, have shown flashes of potential but have also been inconsistent, especially when matched up against seasoned SEC talent.

White has been open about the growing pains that come with transitioning from non-conference games to the grind of the SEC. He pointed out that “the SEC is a whole different animal” and that while his players are talented, they simply haven’t been able to execute at the level required to compete with the best teams in the conference. The Bulldogs’ struggles in big moments — whether it’s closing out games or maintaining focus during critical stretches — have been the result of a lack of experience in pressure-filled situations.

4. Injuries and Roster Adjustments

Injuries have also played a part in the Bulldogs’ rocky start. The team has had to deal with some key players missing games due to injuries, which has disrupted the lineup and chemistry. Oquendo, who was expected to be the team’s primary scorer, has been nursing a nagging injury, which has kept him from playing at 100%. Mylik Wilson, another key piece of the backcourt, has also had his minutes reduced due to injury concerns.

While the Bulldogs have depth on their roster, injuries have further compounded the challenge of building chemistry and finding consistency. With the SEC being so competitive, missing key players has made it even more difficult for Georgia to compete at a high level.

Mike White’s Approach Moving Forward

Despite the rough start, Coach Mike White has remained calm and focused. In his postgame comments, White expressed confidence in his team’s ability to turn things around, stating, “We’ve got a lot of season left, and we’ve got the talent to make this a successful year. But it starts with us getting back to the basics. We’ve got to execute, stay disciplined, and build on the things we do well. We need to get better on defense and find some offensive rhythm.”

White has made it clear that the key to moving forward will be fundamentals. His coaching philosophy has always emphasized the importance of playing a disciplined, team-oriented style, and he believes that if his players can focus on the basics, they will eventually see the results. Whether it’s getting back to running the floor effectively, defending with more intensity, or finding ways to take better shots, White is committed to getting his team back on track.

Additionally, White has been working closely with his assistant coaches to develop tailored plans for each player, helping them work through their individual struggles and develop more consistent performances. He believes that as the season progresses, his team will gain more confidence and adjust to the intensity of SEC play.

Looking Ahead: A Long Road to Recovery

The road ahead for Georgia is not going to be easy. With a tough remaining schedule, including matchups against ranked SEC teams like Alabama, Tennessee, and Arkansas, the Bulldogs will need to make significant improvements quickly if they are going to turn their season around. However, White remains optimistic that his team has the tools to succeed if they stay focused and continue to work hard.

While the Bulldogs’ early struggles have been disappointing, the season is far from over. There is plenty of time for Georgia to fix its issues, gel as a team, and start living up to the potential that many saw in them at the beginning of the season. For now, it’s a matter of getting back to the basics, staying patient, and trusting the process.

As Mike White said in his closing comments, “I didn’t see this coming, but that’s the beauty of college basketball. Every day is a new opportunity to get better. We’ll keep fighting, and we’re not giving up. This team has what it takes.” If White and his staff can get the Bulldogs back on track, they could still make some noise in the SEC and beyond.