ATHENS, Ga. (Interstat) — A critical Southeastern Conference showdown with significant postseason implications is set for Wednesday night when the Florida Gators visit the Georgia Bulldogs at Stegeman Coliseum. Both teams enter the 7 p.m. tip-off with identical 17-6 overall records, creating a logjam in the upper tier of the league standings. The matchup is a swift rematch of their Jan. 6 meeting in Gainesville, which Florida won decisively, 92-77. The Gators have been one of the nation’s hottest teams, riding a five-game winning streak that includes a dominant 86-67 road victory at Texas A&M last Saturday. Forward Thomas Haugh has been the catalyst, averaging 21.4 points over his last seven contests. He scored 22 points with three assists and two blocks in the win over the Aggies. Georgia, meanwhile, looks to protect its home court after an 83-71 win at LSU on Saturday snapped a three-game skid. The Bulldogs’ offense runs through guard Kanon Catchings, who poured in 23 points against the Tigers. His production will be key for a Georgia team that has shown resilience, with three of its six losses coming by three points or fewer, including an overtime defeat to Tennessee. Florida’s recent surge has been marked by explosive offense, scoring 95 points or more in four of their last five victories. Containing Haugh and the Gators’ transition game will be a primary focus for a Georgia defense that allowed 92 points in the first meeting. The Bulldogs will counter with a balanced attack; alongside Catchings, Blue Cain and Jeremiah Wilkinson combined for 28 points in the LSU win. Georgia’s ability to control the tempo and avoid the turnovers that fueled Florida’s rout in January will be paramount. With both teams jockeying for NCAA tournament seeding and a coveted double-bye in the upcoming SEC tournament, Wednesday’s clash in Athens carries heightened weight. The winner will claim a valuable tiebreaker and crucial momentum heading into the season’s final stretch.