If you’re waking up in Athens—or just checking your phone from the couch—wondering is ga bulldogs playing today, the short answer is a loud yes. But don't look toward Sanford Stadium. While the pads are packed away for the winter, Stegeman Coliseum is about to be absolutely rocking.
Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, the No. 21 Georgia Bulldogs men's basketball team is hosting the No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks. This isn't just another mid-season conference game; it’s a high-stakes Top-25 showdown with massive SEC implications.
The Details: When and How to Watch
You don't want to be the person frantically scrolling for the channel five minutes after tip-off. Honestly, the SEC schedule makers did us a favor with a classic late-afternoon slot.
- Tip-off Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Stegeman Coliseum, Athens, GA (It’s officially a sell-out)
- TV Channel: ESPN2
- Live Stream: ESPN+ or the WatchESPN app
- Radio: Georgia Bulldog Network (Sirius XM Channel 84)
If you're heading to the "Stege," keep in mind that the first 750 students get a free Georgia-themed winter hat. Given how cold it's been lately, those will probably disappear in about ten minutes.
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Why This Specific Game Matters
Georgia is coming off a heartbreaker. They just dropped a 97-95 overtime thriller to Ole Miss this past Wednesday. It was their first home loss of the season, and it stung. Coach Mike White was pretty blunt about the defensive lapses in his post-game presser, basically saying you can't give up 60% shooting in the second half and expect to win in this league.
Arkansas is coming in hot at 13-4, led by Darius Acuff Jr., who just put up a ridiculous 18 points and 13 assists against South Carolina. This game is essentially a clash of styles. Georgia leads the entire country in "dunk percentage"—about 20% of their made baskets are flushes—while Arkansas isn't far behind at No. 6 nationally. Expect the rims to take a literal beating today.
Players to Watch
Jeremiah Wilkinson is the name you’ll hear the most. He’s been on an absolute tear, scoring 30+ points in each of his last two SEC home games. If he gets going early from deep, Arkansas is going to have a long afternoon. On the other side, keep an eye on Somto Cyril in the paint. He’s a shot-blocking machine and is currently chasing several school records for blocks in a single season.
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Don't Forget the Tennis Rivalry
If you're a multi-sport fan, the basketball game isn't the only "Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate" vibe going on today. The Georgia men’s tennis team is officially opening their spring 2026 season today at 5:00 p.m.
They’re traveling over to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech at the Byers Tennis Complex. The Bulldogs have won 14 straight matches against the Yellow Jackets dating back to 2011. It's the debut for several new faces, including graduate transfer Derrick Chen, so it's a big day for the program's fresh start.
Looking Ahead: The Football Landscape
Since many people asking is ga bulldogs playing today are looking for Kirby Smart’s squad, it's worth a quick status check. The football season just wrapped up with a Sugar Bowl victory over Ole Miss on New Year's Day.
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The 2026 schedule is already set, and it's a gauntlet. Because the SEC moved to a nine-game conference schedule, things look a little different. Georgia will only play three non-conference games next year, and for the first time in forever, the Florida game in October is moving to Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium because of the stadium renovations in Jacksonville.
Actionable Steps for Today
If you’re planning to follow the action, here is your game-day checklist to make sure you don't miss a beat:
- Sync your apps: If you aren't at a TV, ensure your ESPN+ login is active before the 4:00 p.m. tip.
- Monitor the "Smurf" Milestone: Guard Marcus "Smurf" Millender is closing in on 1,000 career points. Watch the scoring ticker closely; he could hit a major career mark during this broadcast.
- Check the Radio: If you're driving, Scott Howard and Chuck Dowdle are still the gold standard for the call on the Georgia Bulldog Network.
- Watch the 1996 Tribute: During the game, UGA is honoring the 1996 "Sweet 16" team. It’s a cool bit of history involving Tubby Smith’s first year, so stay tuned during the timeouts and halftime.
The Bulldogs are currently 14-3 and ranked in the Top 25 for the fifth straight week—the longest streak the program has seen since the early 2000s. Whether you're watching for the dunks or the SEC standings, today is a massive day for Georgia athletics.