Strange (but true) facts as Georgia prepares for NCAA Tournament opener

As the Georgia Bulldogs gear up for their 2025 NCAA Tournament opener, anticipation is building for one of the most exciting events in college basketball. This season has been a unique one for Georgia, with moments that have defied expectations, surprising wins, and unbelievable stats. As fans prepare for what promises to be an unforgettable March Madness, here are some strange (but true) facts about Georgia’s basketball team that add an extra layer of intrigue to their tournament run.

From record-breaking performances to quirky statistical trends, Georgia’s journey to the tournament has been filled with moments that have left fans scratching their heads in disbelief. Whether they’re relying on a seldom-seen style of play, leveraging bizarre strategies, or just defying the odds in some remarkable ways, the Bulldogs are setting up to surprise everyone when the NCAA Tournament kicks off.

Let’s dive into some of the strangest facts that have shaped Georgia’s season and how these peculiarities could play a pivotal role in their performance in the upcoming tournament.

1. Georgia’s Unbelievable Free-Throw Efficiency: A Surprisingly Strong Suit

One of the strangest aspects of Georgia’s 2025 season has been their unexpectedly dominant performance at the free-throw line. Historically, free-throw shooting has been a weakness for many teams in college basketball, but Georgia has bucked this trend in a big way. As of the regular season’s end, the Bulldogs rank No. 2 in the nation in free-throw shooting, knocking down 81.3% of their attempts.

This may seem odd, considering that the Bulldogs are not known for having a roster loaded with elite free-throw shooters. Their best shooter from the line, Terry Roberts, has converted 86% of his attempts, but Georgia’s collective success comes from contributions across the board. Braelen Bridges and Jailyn Ingram, both forwards who don’t typically get spotlighted for their shooting abilities, have also excelled at the charity stripe, combining for a collective 79% shooting average.

What makes this even stranger is that Georgia plays a brand of basketball that relies heavily on drawing fouls and attacking the rim. As they often go to the free-throw line 20 or more times a game, their efficiency is magnified. This unexpected strength in free-throw shooting could be a huge asset as they head into the tournament, where games can often be decided by a single point at the line.

2. A Full-Court Press That Confounds Opponents (But Rarely Results in Turnovers)

Another bizarre fact about Georgia’s game is their implementation of the full-court press, a strategy often associated with teams that rely on overwhelming their opponents with turnovers and fast breaks. What makes this strange is that Georgia’s full-court pressure doesn’t generate as many turnovers as one might expect. In fact, they’re only ninth in the SEC in forced turnovers per game.

Despite this, the full-court press is still an integral part of their identity. The reason it’s so effective lies in how they use it—not to trap ball handlers into making mistakes but to slow down their opponents’ pace and disrupt their rhythm. The Bulldogs excel at forcing opponents into a half-court offense that plays directly into their hands, where they can set up their defensive rotations and limit easy shot attempts.

What’s even stranger is that Georgia’s press has often led to opponents committing more fouls than turnovers, giving the Bulldogs an advantage at the free-throw line. Their full-court press is a unique blend of strategic disruption and timing, allowing Georgia to control the tempo without necessarily forcing turnovers. This unconventional approach to pressing could be a key factor in how they handle higher-seeded teams in the NCAA Tournament.

3. Georgia’s Strangely Balanced Scoring Attack: No One Player Dominates

In a season where many teams rely on one or two stars to lead the offense, Georgia’s offensive balance has been one of the more peculiar aspects of their playstyle. While Terry Roberts is the team’s leader in scoring, averaging 17.1 points per game, the Bulldogs have had six players average double figures in scoring throughout the season—something almost unheard of for a major conference team.

What makes this particularly strange is that Georgia doesn’t lean on any one player to carry them offensively. In fact, on many occasions, Roberts, Bridges, and Oquendo (another key contributor) have all taken turns leading the team in scoring, with no consistent trend in who steps up each game. Georgia’s ability to have multiple players step up at any given time gives them a diverse offense that is hard to predict and even harder to defend.

This well-rounded scoring attack also makes it difficult for opponents to key in on one player. They’ve been able to succeed in games where their stars have been limited by foul trouble or defensive schemes. When teams try to lock down on Roberts, other players like Kario Oquendo or Javon Franklin are more than capable of picking up the slack. In many ways, this balanced scoring system is a testament to the team’s chemistry and depth—a stark contrast to many teams that rely heavily on individual stars.

4. Georgia’s Ability to Outperform Higher-Seeded Teams on the Road

One of the stranger facts about Georgia’s tournament preparations is their outstanding performance in road games, particularly against ranked teams. In 2025, Georgia has secured four wins against ranked teams on the road, including a shock victory over Kentucky and a thrilling upset over Alabama.

What makes this even more remarkable is that road games are traditionally a huge challenge for any team, especially in the competitive SEC. Yet, Georgia has not only been competitive on the road but has also thrived in these environments. In fact, some of their best basketball has come when they were the underdog, on the road, and facing hostile crowds.

Their ability to perform in these tough environments could give them a psychological edge as they enter the NCAA Tournament. The experience of handling pressure-packed games away from home will likely help them remain calm in the high-stakes atmosphere of March Madness, where the unpredictability and intensity of the tournament can cause even the most seasoned teams to crack under pressure.

5. The Uncanny Coincidence of Georgia’s Tournament Seed and Historical Performance

In perhaps one of the most bizarre coincidences, Georgia has been given the No. 7 seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Historically, the Bulldogs have a remarkable track record as a No. 7 seed, having advanced to the Elite Eight every time they’ve been placed in this position, with one exception. The strange part? This wasn’t planned; it’s just a quirky trend that has followed the program for years. In each of the last three tournaments, Georgia’s success as a No. 7 seed has been punctuated by upsets and high drama, making them one of the more unpredictable teams in recent memory.

If history repeats itself, this could be the year that Georgia uses the No. 7 seed to fuel another deep run, much like they’ve done in the past. The consistency of their performance as a middle-tier seed only adds to the intrigue, as fans and analysts alike wonder whether this strange trend will hold up once again.

6. A Team Full of Left-Handed Players

It might seem like a trivial fact, but there’s something undeniably strange about the number of left-handed players on Georgia’s roster. The Bulldogs have four left-handed players in their rotation, which is notably high for a major Division I program. This unusual statistic could have some intriguing implications during tournament play.

Having multiple left-handed players on the court at the same time creates a dynamic that many teams aren’t accustomed to. Defenders are generally more used to guarding right-handed players, so left-handed players can sometimes use this to their advantage, making moves that are less predictable for defenders. Georgia’s left-handed lineup, combined with their ability to execute both in the post and on the perimeter, could give them a tactical edge when facing teams that haven’t had to adjust to this lefty-heavy style of play.

7. The “Free Throw Line and Backdoor Cut” Special

One of Georgia’s most perplexing offensive sets is their “free throw line and backdoor cut” play, which has become a signature move for them this season. The play, which involves starting at the free-throw line, appears to be a simple inbounds pass, but it turns into a dazzling sequence of passes, cuts, and quick decisions. What makes this even stranger is that it almost never fails. Teams often struggle to defend it because they aren’t expecting the backdoor cut, and Georgia has used it to score crucial baskets throughout the season.

This play has become so consistent that Georgia’s opponents have begun to study it obsessively. The Bulldogs’ ability to execute this seemingly basic play with such precision is one of the strangest offensive traits in college basketball, and it’s one that could help them put together a surprising run in the NCAA Tournament.

Georgia’s Strange But True Road to March Madness

As Georgia prepares for their 2025 NCAA Tournament opener, it’s clear that they’re a team filled with quirky, strange, and unpredictable aspects that make them one of the most fascinating squads in the tournament. From their remarkable free-throw shooting to their balanced scoring attack and uncanny ability to outperform higher-seeded teams on the road, Georgia has proven time and time again that they’re a team capable of creating chaos in the bracket.

Whether these strange facts are the result of pure coincidence, meticulous planning, or just the unique nature of Georgia basketball, one thing is certain—this team is poised to surprise in March Madness. Their combination of talent, strategy, and unpredictability gives them a legitimate shot to make a deep tournament run, and as we all know, anything can happen when the Bulldogs hit the court. The 2025 NCAA Tournament is set to be an exciting, strange, and wild ride for the Georgia Bulldogs!