ATHENS, Ga. (Interstat) — The Georgia Bulldogs, looking to solidify their postseason resume, will host the struggling South Carolina Gamecocks in a Southeastern Conference men’s basketball matchup on Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.

Georgia (19-9) enters the contest coming off an 88-80 road loss at Vanderbilt on Wednesday, which snapped a three-game winning streak. The Bulldogs, led by standout guard Jeremiah Wilkinson, have won six of their last nine and are seeking a strong finish to secure an NCAA Tournament bid.

South Carolina (12-16) has lost two straight and eight of its last ten, including a 72-63 home defeat to Kentucky on Tuesday. The Gamecocks’ season has been defined by offensive inconsistency, though they boast one of the league’s top scorers in guard Meechie Johnson.

The matchup features two of the SEC’s premier backcourt talents. Johnson is averaging 22.1 points per game over his last seven contests, including a 35-point outburst at Texas on Feb. 3. He scored 18 points with six assists in the loss to Kentucky.

Wilkinson has been equally potent for Georgia, averaging 20.2 points over his last five games. He poured in a career-high 28 points in the loss at Vanderbilt, showcasing his ability to carry the offensive load.

Georgia won the season’s first meeting, 75-70, in Columbia on Jan. 10. In that game, the Bulldogs overcame a 12-point second-half deficit, holding South Carolina scoreless for the final 3:38 of regulation.

For South Carolina, slowing Wilkinson and finding consistent scoring support for Johnson will be critical. The Gamecocks have allowed 78.6 points per game during their 2-8 skid.

Georgia aims to protect its home court, where it is 13-2 this season, and avoid a damaging loss before a pivotal closing stretch that includes a home game against Alabama next Tuesday. South Carolina is playing for pride and to build momentum for the upcoming SEC Tournament.

Tipoff is set for Saturday afternoon.