Kentucky Wildcats Look to Bounce Back Against Georgia Bulldogs

Wildcats aim to start a new winning streak after tough loss to Florida Gators

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Kentucky Wildcats are set to host the Georgia Bulldogs at Rupp Arena on Tuesday night, looking to rebound from a tough loss against the Florida Gators over the weekend. The Wildcats will need strong performances from players like Collin Chandler, who has been playing well lately, as well as a dominant showing on the boards to overcome the Bulldogs, who may be without their star player Jeremiah Wilkinson.

Why it matters

This is an important game for the Wildcats as they look to start a new winning streak and position themselves for a strong finish to the season. A loss to the Bulldogs, who are not one of the top teams in the SEC, could be a setback for Kentucky's postseason aspirations.

The details

Collin Chandler has been a bright spot for the Wildcats, scoring 18 points and making five 3-pointers in the loss to Florida. The Wildcats will need him to continue his hot shooting to overcome the Bulldogs. Georgia's star player, Jeremiah Wilkinson, has missed the team's last two games, and his status for this matchup is uncertain. If Wilkinson is unable to play, the Bulldogs will struggle to match the Wildcats' firepower. Kentucky has also been dominant on the glass in recent games, and they'll need to continue that trend to limit the Bulldogs' second-chance opportunities.

  • The game is scheduled for Tuesday, February 16, 2026 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.
  • Jeremiah Wilkinson has missed the Bulldogs' last two games.

The players

Collin Chandler

A key player for the Kentucky Wildcats who has been playing well lately, scoring 18 points and making five 3-pointers in the loss to Florida.

Jeremiah Wilkinson

The star player for the Georgia Bulldogs who has missed the team's last two games, and his status for this matchup is uncertain.

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What’s next

The status of Jeremiah Wilkinson's availability for the game against Kentucky will be a key factor in determining the Bulldogs' chances of pulling off an upset.

The takeaway

This game presents an opportunity for the Kentucky Wildcats to bounce back from their tough loss to the Florida Gators and start a new winning streak. The Wildcats' ability to dominate the glass and get strong performances from players like Collin Chandler will be crucial in overcoming the Bulldogs, especially if Georgia is without their star player Jeremiah Wilkinson.