Don’t look now, but the reported demise of the Georgia basketball team may have been a bit premature.

It started on Wednesday with an overtime win at Florida, and Saturday the Bulldogs took an even bigger step forward by knocking off No. 18 Tennessee, 73-62.

“Everybody’s been counting us out. We what, lost six out of the last seven? So people have been saying it's Georgia this, Georgia that,” sophomore guard Tyree Crump said. “We’re trying to prove people wrong, trying to show them that we’ve still got a chance.”

Time will tell.

With 11 losses on the year, the Bulldogs (No. 67 RPI) know they can’t afford many more defeats, but after Saturday’s victory over the Volunteers - who came with an RPI ranking of No. 12 – they’re back to being part of the postseason conversation.

“Outside opinions don’t matter,” Crump said. “We’ve just got to keep playing and try to get the next one.”

Bulldog head coach Mark Fox seemed to take a veiled shot at the media when asked if there was anything that happened following the team’s 78-61 loss to Auburn that helped to get the Bulldogs back on track.

“I know some people don’t like our players. I mean, some of you (media) don’t like our players, but I love ‘em,” Fox said. “This league is a monster. You know, you’re going to have ups and downs and we had a couple of games where we didn’t play well. They stuck together and just kept trying to get better and play the game the right way. We didn’t make any drastic changes. We just kept doing what we do, and this week they were able to play sound basketball and beat two really good teams.

“Even though some of you don’t like ‘em, I’m pretty proud of them.”

Saturday’s sellout crowd of 10,028 no doubt was proud, as well.

The Bulldogs only trailed once – 2-0 very early in the game – before ultimately building a lead as high as 13 before settling for the 11-point victory over the Vols (19-7, 9-5) thanks to a season-high five players in double-figures.

Yante Maten led the way with 19, followed by Derek Ogbeide with 16 points and 11 rebounds, his second straight double-double.

Crump chipped in with 11 points, followed by Turtle Jackson and Juwan Parker with 10 each.

The Bulldogs also did a wonderful job defensively, limiting Tennessee to 22 of 63 from the field (34.9 percent) while outrebounding the Vols, 40-33.

In the process, Georgia held Tennessee leading scorer Grant Williams to just five points (1 of 8 shooting), 11 below his season average (16.2).

“We’re a capable team and Coach said not to give up, so that’s what we’ve got to do every time we play,” Maten said. “We’re a good basketball team and we proved that this week. Now, we’re just looking to go to the next game and do the same thing.”

POSTGAME NOTES:

… Georgia went to the free throw line 38 times, converting 27. The Vols went to the line 15 times, making 10.

…Maten scored Georgia’s first eight points, 11 total in the first half.

…Georgia now has three wins over opponents who were ranked at the time they played – St. Mary’s (No. 21), Florida (No. 23) and Tennessee (No. 18).

…Crump played 22 minutes, marking the first time in his career he’s played more than 20 minutes in three consecutive games.

…The victory was Georgia’s first over a ranked Tennessee team since 2010 when the Bulldogs beat the No. 8 Volunteers in Athens, 78-63.

NEXT UP:

Georgia returns to action with a Wednesday night game at South Carolina.