No. 17 Florida at Georgia

WHEN: Tuesday, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Stegeman Coliseum

RECORDS: Georgia 13-10, 4-6; Florida 18-5, 8-2

TV/RADIO: ESPN2 (Tom Hart, Kara Lawson); Georgia Bulldog Radio Network (Scott Howard, Chuck Dowdle, Tony Schiavone)

Projected Starting Lineup

Florida

F Devin Robinson: 6-8, 200 (12.0/5.9)

F Justin Leon: 6-8, 196 (6.4/3.5)

C John Egbunu: 6-11, 255 (7.7/6.7)

G Kasey Hill: 6-1, 175 (9.9/4.9a)

G KeVaughn Allen: 6-2, 183 (13.6/2.3)

Georgia

F Yante Maten: 6-8, 240, Jr. (19.7/7.4)

F Derek Ogbeide: 6-8, 245, So. (7.3/7.0)

G William Jackson II: 6-4, 185, So. (3.9/1.1a)

G Juwan Parker: 6-4, 205, R-Jr. (9.5/5.5)

G J.J. Frazier: 5-10, 155, Sr. (16.0/4.3a)

While there’s certainly frustration building among fans when it comes to the Georgia basketball program, Mark Fox said Monday the only thing he and his players can do is stay the course.

It’s been month chocked with disappointment for the Bulldogs (13-10, 4-6), who lost in overtime to Florida and Kentucky, while dropping games to Texas A&M and South Carolina by a combined total of three points.

Georgia gets another shot against No. 17 Florida on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. (ESPN2)--this time in Stegeman Coliseum, and despite his team’s recent shortcomings, Fox says the approach won’t change.

“I think we’ve maintained a similar approach because we’ve always been able to saddle back up and compete," Fox said during Monday’s SEC Teleconference. “I think we’ve had a difficult stretch and hopefully we can stay the determined course and find a better result. But I’ve been pleased with our team’s ability to stay committed to what we think is important and be able to mentally prepare themselves to play.”

The Bulldogs had better be ready. The Gators barely lost to the Bulldogs 80-76 in overtime back on Jan. 14, but they appear to be playing their best ball of the year after smoking Kentucky 88-66 Saturday in Gainesville.

“I think that Florida obviously is very good defensively. Their point guard play I think is terrific, and they’re able to be in the lane all game long,” Fox said. “Then, they surround their point guard with guys, wing players who can really score and shoot the three along with front-line players who are big and very effective near the rim.”

Florida coach Michael White, meanwhile, has his own concerns.

Not only are the Gators coming off an emotional victory over the Wildcats, but Florida will be playing its third game in five days when it tips off against the Bulldogs.

“In a perfect world, you have two weeks to prepare for these teams, but you don’t. It’s part of college basketball,” White said. “Having played Georgia already I guess it gives us both a little bit of a head start but Georgia is a very difficult team to prepare for both offensively and defensively. They keep you guessing, they execute their stuff. Again, on both sides, they don’t beat themselves and they’re very disciplined, very sound. Everyone in this league – short preps are tough preps. I would say Georgia as much as anybody.”

Fox likely hopes a favorable home schedule the final three weeks of the season will lead to better results.

Of Georgia’s eight remaining games before the SEC Tournament in Nashville, five will be at Stegeman, including next week’s return engagement against Kentucky.

“The unbalanced schedule has certainly given us lots of challenges but also lots of opportunities this year. I’m not sure that there’s a way to balance the schedule, ever,” Fox said. “But those teams are all terrific and we’ve played them all on the road already. Our kids understand that in this league there are a lot of battles and no easy games. Certainly, we’ve got one of the harder schedules, but again that brings great opportunity.”