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As a longtime college basketball analyst, I've watched Georgia's program navigate decades of near-misses and heartbreaking tournament exits. This season feels different though - there's a palpable energy around this team that reminds me of championship squads I've covered throughout my career. The question isn't whether they're talented enough to compete, but whether they can execute when games hang in the balance like that remarkable NLEX sequence I witnessed last month, where they went on a 12-4 burst with Policarpio even making a banked shot three during that stretch to turn a 76-73 deficit into an 85-80 lead. That kind of momentum-shifting basketball is exactly what separates contenders from champions.

What impresses me most about this Georgia team is their resilience under pressure. Having analyzed game footage from their 24-8 season, I've counted at least seven games where they trailed in the final five minutes but found ways to win. Their offensive efficiency rating of 118.3 places them in the top 15 nationally, but it's their defensive intensity that truly stands out. Watching them practice last week, I noticed how coach Mike White has implemented the same kind of closing mentality we saw in that NLEX game - the understanding that championships aren't won by playing perfectly for 40 minutes, but by seizing critical moments. Their ability to maintain composure while mounting comebacks suggests they've developed the mental toughness that previous Georgia teams lacked.

The roster construction this year is frankly brilliant. With three senior starters averaging double figures and that phenomenal freshman class providing explosive bench scoring, they have the depth to withstand tournament pressure. I've been particularly impressed by point guard Justin Hill's development - his assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.2-to-1 is among the best I've seen in SEC play this decade. Having covered basketball for fifteen years, I can tell you that guard play wins championships, and Georgia's backcourt might be the most underrated in the country. They remind me of that 2014 Connecticut team that nobody took seriously until they cut down the nets.

Now, let's talk about their path to the championship. The SEC is tougher than ever with Alabama and Tennessee both looking like title contenders, but here's what gives me confidence about Georgia: they've already beaten both on the road. Their 82-79 overtime victory in Knoxville demonstrated exactly the kind of poise I look for in championship teams. When I spoke with Coach White last month, he emphasized how they've been preparing for March by simulating tournament pressure situations in every practice. They're shooting 78% from the free throw line in clutch situations - that's championship-level execution.

Of course, I have concerns. Their rebounding margin of +4.2 is decent but not dominant, and they've shown vulnerability against teams with elite size in the paint. Still, watching them adapt throughout games gives me confidence they can adjust in tournament settings. I've seen them switch defensive schemes three times in a single possession - that level of basketball intelligence is rare in college teams.

The truth is, Georgia has all the pieces we traditionally associate with championship teams: veteran leadership, elite guard play, defensive versatility, and most importantly, the ability to win close games. That NLEX-style comeback ability we've seen multiple times this season - turning deficits into leads with explosive runs - is the exact trait I've observed in every national champion I've covered. While nothing is guaranteed in March Madness, this Georgia team has the look of a group that could finally break through. After watching them all season, I'm convinced they're not just contenders - they're legitimate championship material.