GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — A surging Georgia team riding its best start in decades will face a Florida squad looking to stabilize its season when the Southeastern Conference rivals meet Tuesday night at the O’Connell Center.

The No. 8-ranked Bulldogs (13-1) have won nine straight games, their lone loss coming in overtime to Clemson in November. They are coming off a signature 104-100 overtime victory over Auburn on Saturday, a high-scoring affair that showcased their offensive firepower. Guard Jeremiah Wilkinson has been the catalyst, averaging 20.4 points over his last five games. He erupted for 31 points in 35 minutes against Auburn.

Florida (9-5) seeks consistency after a narrow 76-74 road loss at Missouri on Saturday. The Gators have shown promise with nonconference wins over Miami and Providence but have stumbled in close games against ranked opponents like Duke, Connecticut and Missouri. Forward Thomas Haugh has emerged as a key scorer, averaging 18.8 points over his last six contests, including a 24-point effort at Missouri.

The matchup pits Georgia’s high-octane offense, which has topped 100 points four times this season, against a Florida team that has defended its home court well, going 8-1 in Gainesville. The Bulldogs’ streak includes a 107-73 rout of Florida State in early December.

This game opens the SEC schedule for both teams. Georgia’s hot start has positioned it as a conference contender, while Florida aims to open league play with a résumé-building win. The teams will meet again in Athens on Feb. 11.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.