Honestly, if you only watch "Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate" when there's a pigskin on the field, you're missing the real drama. The GT vs UGA basketball rivalry has spent decades in the shadow of its football sibling, but lately, the vibes have shifted. It’s gritty. It’s high-scoring. And frankly, it’s a whistle-fest that usually leaves everyone in the building a little bit annoyed and a lot of bit exhausted.
Take the game this past November. November 14, 2025, to be exact. Stegeman Coliseum was absolutely rocking—a literal sellout. People usually think of Athens as a place that only cares about dunks if they happen in the endzone, but Mike White has built something there that people actually want to see. Georgia walked away with a 92-87 win, their third straight over Tech. But the score doesn't tell the whole story.
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The 52-Foul Nightmare in Athens
You ever watch a game where you feel like you're watching a free-throw contest instead of a basketball game? That was the most recent chapter of GT vs UGA basketball. The refs called 52 combined fouls. Fifty-two. You can't get a rhythm when the whistle blows every 45 seconds.
Georgia Tech actually had the lead for a good chunk of the second half. They went on this 15-6 run that silenced the crowd, fueled by Kam Craft—who was absolutely unconscious from deep, hitting five triples— and freshman Jaeden Mustaf. Tech looked like the better team for about ten minutes. Then, the depth of the Bulldogs just wore them down.
- Blue Cain (18 points)
- Jeremiah Wilkinson (18 points)
- Jordan Ross (14 points)
Georgia’s bench outscored Tech’s 44-26. That’s usually the difference in these high-major rivalry games. Tech has the starters to compete with anyone, but when Damon Stoudamire has to go to his eighth or ninth man, the drop-off is just a little steeper than what Mike White has at UGA right now.
Damon Stoudamire vs. Mike White: A Contrast in Styles
Watching these two on the sidelines is a study in personality. Stoudamire, the former NBA "Mighty Mouse," is all about that pro-style development. He wants his guys playing with a certain IQ. He’s looking for "NBA-ready" actions. On the other side, Mike White is a frantic energy ball. He wants the Bulldogs to be "scrappy"—diving for loose balls, pressing, and basically making the game as ugly as possible so they can win on effort.
It’s working for White. Since he took over, Georgia has been nearly unbeatable at home against non-conference opponents. They’re 31-0 in those games. Tech, meanwhile, is still trying to find its soul under Stoudamire. They showed flashes last year, finishing 17-17 and 8th in the ACC, but they haven't quite figured out how to close out the Bulldogs when the pressure cranks up in the final four minutes.
The "Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate" History
People forget that these two were both charter members of the SEC. Tech eventually left in the 60s, but the animosity never did. All-time, Georgia leads the series, but it’s closer than you’d think if you only look at the last five years.
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Actually, if you go back to the mid-20th century, Tech used to dominate this. But the modern era? It’s been mostly Red and Black. Georgia has won eight of the last ten meetings. That’s a stat that makes Yellow Jacket fans want to throw their gold-rimmed glasses into the Varsity’s grease pit.
Why the 2025-26 Season Feels Different
Right now, as we sit in January 2026, both teams are in the thick of conference play. Tech is grinding through a brutal ACC schedule. They’ve had some tough losses lately—falling to Pitt and Syracuse—but they’re still a dangerous out because of Baye Ndongo. The 6-9 junior forward is a walking double-double. If you’re a scout, he’s the guy you’re watching.
Georgia is currently ranked in the Top 25 (sitting at #23 recently) and looking like a lock for the NCAA Tournament. Their offense is high-octane, though their rebounding is... well, it’s a problem. They got outrebounded by Tech back in November, and they’ve been outrebounded in several SEC games since.
What You Should Do Next
If you're trying to keep up with the state of hoops in Georgia, here is the move:
- Watch Baye Ndongo’s development: He’s likely heading to the NBA soon. Every Tech game is a chance to see a first-round talent in the ACC.
- Track the "Strength of Schedule": Tech’s ACC slate is much harder than Georgia’s SEC schedule this year. If Tech finishes with a winning record, they might actually have a higher NET rating than a Georgia team with more wins.
- Mark your calendar: The return game in Atlanta for the 2026-27 season will likely be in November again. Tickets at McCamish Pavilion sell out fast for this one—don't wait until the week of the game.
- Follow the freshmen: Jaeden Mustaf (GT) and Jeremiah Wilkinson (UGA) are the future of this rivalry. They both went off in their first meeting; seeing how they progress by their sophomore years will tell us who owns the state for the next three years.
The GT vs UGA basketball game isn't just a placeholder until football season anymore. It's a legit battle of two programs trying to prove that Georgia is a basketball state. For now, the trophy stays in Athens, but the gap is closing. Slow, but closing.