Georgia Bulldogs falls short in 84-70 road loss to Colorado Buffaloes

Dec 28, 2013; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes guard Xavier Talton (3) attempts a three point basket as he is guarded by Georgia Bulldogs guard Kenny Gaines (12) in the first half at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

It is almost unheard of for the Georgia Bulldogs to enter a game as a 15-point underdog, but that was exactly the case when they took the court against Colorado on Saturday night, and while they performed reasonably well, the disparity between the two teams was apparent in Colorado’s 84-70 win.

The odds were already stacked against Georgia when the set foot in Boulder for the game, but the free-throw shooting didn’t help matters. Colorado shot an incredible 26 for 26 in the game from the line, and even if Georgia had a perfect night (which they didn’t at 9 for 18), it would’ve been nearly impossible to overcome that lights-out mark. Throw in that the Buffs shot 51% from the field and that all 5 starters scored in double-figures, and you have a recipe for a 14-point defeat for the Bulldogs.

On the bright side, UGA did shoot very well from the floor (50%) and behind the 3-point arc (62.5%), but the free throw woes and rebounding disadvantage (34-22) did them in. Nemanja Djurisic and Kenny Gaines led 4 scores in double-figures with 12 points each, but the Bulldogs did commit more turnovers (10) than assists (7), and that’s never encouraging.

It is certainly encouraging that UGA didn’t roll over and die against a far better opponent, but it’s also a sobering reminder of just how far Mark Fox and company have to come before they are considered to be a legitimate, upper-echelon team.