Georgia coach Mike White on Bulldogs’ awful start: ‘Didn’t see that coming’

In college basketball, expectations are high, especially for programs with a rich history and passionate fanbase like the University of Georgia. The Bulldogs entered the 2025 season with hope and optimism, expecting to build on their recent successes and make a deep run into the NCAA Tournament. However, things have not gone according to plan. With an unexpectedly rough start to the season, Georgia has found itself struggling, and head coach Mike White is feeling the weight of the team’s struggles as they work through the challenges ahead.

When Georgia began its 2025 campaign, many believed the Bulldogs had the talent and leadership to compete at a high level. But instead of firing on all cylinders, the Bulldogs have stumbled out of the gate, falling short in crucial games and failing to execute consistently. In a recent press conference, White, who was hired as the head coach of Georgia just a few seasons ago, opened up about the team’s struggles, offering insight into what has gone wrong and what needs to change as the Bulldogs look to salvage their season.

“We didn’t see this coming,” White admitted, a statement that reflected the frustration and disappointment shared by fans, players, and staff. “We had high expectations going into the year, and we knew it was going to take time to adjust. But I’ll be honest with you, this isn’t where we thought we’d be right now.”

A Season Full of Promise Turns Into Struggles

The 2025 season began with optimism surrounding the Georgia Bulldogs men’s basketball program. With veteran players leading the charge and a strong recruiting class entering the fold, Georgia was poised to challenge for a spot in the NCAA Tournament and possibly even make a run at the top of the SEC standings. Terry Roberts, a seasoned guard, was expected to be a leader in the backcourt, while the frontcourt featured Kario Oquendo and Jabri Abdur-Rahim, two players with immense talent and potential.

Coach Mike White, who took over the Georgia program after a successful stint at Louisiana Tech and Florida, was considered to be the right man to guide Georgia back to prominence. His reputation as a player development specialist and defensive-minded coach had fans excited about the future of the program. His coaching pedigree was solid, and Georgia basketball was beginning to look like a team on the rise.

However, the Bulldogs’ season has taken a turn for the worse. Through their first several games, Georgia has struggled to find consistency on either side of the ball. Their offense has been erratic, often failing to execute in crucial moments, while their defense—once considered a strength under White’s leadership—has faltered at times, allowing opposing teams to break through with ease. The result has been a series of disappointing losses, both at home and on the road, leaving the Bulldogs with a record that’s far below expectations.

“We just haven’t put it together,” White continued in his press conference. “We’ve got talented players, but we’re not clicking as a team. And I’m not going to make excuses. We’ve got to be better. I’ve got to be better. We’ve got to figure out what’s going wrong and turn it around.”

Offensive Woes: Struggling to Find a Rhythm

One of the primary issues facing Georgia has been their offensive struggles. While the Bulldogs have had some individual flashes of brilliance, the team has failed to establish any kind of rhythm on offense. They have been inconsistent with their shooting, often missing wide-open shots and struggling to create quality looks in the half-court offense. This has led to periods of stagnation, where the Bulldogs cannot generate any scoring, putting even more pressure on their defense to keep them in games.

One player who has felt the pressure more than most is Terry Roberts, the team’s senior point guard and presumed leader. While Roberts is a talented player capable of putting up points and creating opportunities for his teammates, he has been far from his best so far this season. His shooting percentage has been low, and his assist-to-turnover ratio has been uncharacteristically poor. Roberts has looked frustrated on the court, as if the weight of the team’s struggles is weighing heavily on him.

“We need Terry to step up, no doubt about it,” White said. “He’s our leader, and we need him to play like it. But he’s not the only one. It’s about the whole team, and we all need to be better.”

Beyond Roberts, Kario Oquendo and Jabri Abdur-Rahim have also had difficulty finding their rhythm. Oquendo, known for his athleticism and scoring ability, has struggled to consistently make an impact. Rahim, a highly touted transfer, has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to establish himself as a reliable scoring option. The lack of consistent production from these key players has left Georgia’s offense sputtering.

In their last several games, Georgia has seen too many dry spells, where they can’t seem to buy a basket. Whether it’s missed three-pointers, poor shot selection, or lackluster ball movement, the offensive struggles have been evident. As a result, the Bulldogs have found themselves playing catch-up in several games, unable to recover once they fall behind.

“We’re not playing the way we need to on offense,” White admitted. “We have the pieces, but we’re not executing, and we’re not being disciplined. We’ve got to fix it. And we will. I believe in these guys, but we can’t afford to keep having games like this.”

Defensive Breakdown: A Fall from Dominance

Defensively, White’s Georgia teams have traditionally been known for their grit and intensity. The Bulldogs have prided themselves on their ability to get stops, force turnovers, and disrupt the flow of the opposition. However, this season, Georgia’s defense has been inconsistent at best. At times, they’ve shown the potential to lock down on opposing offenses, but more often than not, they’ve allowed too many open shots, especially from beyond the arc.

The Bulldogs’ inability to close out on shooters and protect the paint has been one of the most glaring issues. Teams have been able to exploit Georgia’s defensive lapses, especially in transition and in pick-and-roll situations, where the Bulldogs have failed to communicate and rotate effectively. This breakdown in fundamentals has made it difficult for Georgia to stay competitive, particularly against high-powered offenses in the SEC.

“We’ve got to get back to the basics on defense,” White said, clearly frustrated. “I know we’re better than what we’ve shown. Our defensive principles are sound, but we’ve got to get back to playing with the intensity and focus that’s required. We can’t keep letting teams shoot the way they have been.”

One of the biggest disappointments has been Oquendo, who was expected to be one of the team’s best perimeter defenders. His struggles have been evident as opposing guards and wings have been able to get past him, either for easy layups or wide-open three-pointers. White has been vocal about his desire for Oquendo to become more locked in defensively, and it’s clear that the entire team will need to improve if they are going to make a run at the postseason.

“I expect better from Kario, just like I do from the rest of the guys,” White stated. “We can’t afford to let up on defense, and we can’t afford to be passive. I’m challenging Kario and all of our guys to take it up a notch. If we’re going to get out of this funk, we need to be a lot tougher on that end of the floor.”

The Mental and Emotional Toll on the Team

As the losses continue to mount, the mental and emotional toll on the team is becoming more apparent. College basketball is an emotionally charged sport, and when a team fails to meet its expectations, it can lead to a sense of frustration, anxiety, and doubt among the players. The pressure of playing for a big program like Georgia, with passionate fans and high expectations, can weigh heavily on the athletes.

For White, the challenge is to keep the team mentally sharp and focused. He has repeatedly emphasized the need for his players to remain positive, stay together, and keep working to improve. However, when you’re in the midst of a losing streak, it can be difficult to maintain that focus.

“We’re in a tough spot right now, but this is when we need to stick together,” White said. “I’m not worried about what’s going on externally. I’m worried about our locker room. We need to believe in ourselves, trust in the process, and keep fighting. We’re not going to give up on this team.”

What’s Next for Georgia?

As the season progresses, the Bulldogs find themselves at a crossroads. The question now is whether they can regroup and turn things around before it’s too late. The team has the talent, but whether they can pull it together will depend on several factors, including improved shooting, better defense, and a stronger collective mentality.

For Coach Mike White, the task ahead is clear: find a way to get his team back on track and start executing at the level expected of a Georgia program that has historically been competitive. White’s leadership will be key in guiding the Bulldogs through this difficult stretch. If Georgia can manage to turn things around, they may still have a shot at securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament, but that will require a significant shift in their approach to the game.

“We didn’t see this coming, but we’re going to fight to fix it,” White concluded. “I’m confident in these players, and I know they’ll rise to the occasion. We just need to stay focused and take it one game at a time.”