Georgia Bulldogs @ Washington Huskies Pick & Preview

Georgia Bulldogs @ Washington Huskies Pick & Preview: If this was a battle between mascots, you’d have to give the nod to the versatility of the Husky. The Bulldog has plenty of leftover slobber, crooked teeth, hips that swivel like a snake when it runs, but outside of that they are basically just a medical problem waiting to happen. Huskies, on the other hand, can live in sub-zero temperatures, run for hours and hours while pulling a sled through artic snow conditions, and they are basically a wolf. Did I mention they can have natural births? Advantage Huskies.

But what about in this basketball game? It’s not all about mascots or every school would be the Magic Dragons.

I think this match-up favors the Huskies, one of my least favorite teams to watch in college basketball. Every time I see them play I can’t get over how talented they are and how many times they are caught out of position, forcing bad shots, and just failing to run crisp sets in the half court. But the Bulldogs aren’t great defensively, and they have a hard time putting the ball in the basket. They will undoubtedly try to limit UW’s fast break baskets, but even if they do leash the Dawgs, Washington’s ability to put the ball in the hoops should win out here.

After winning the Pac-10 tournament, the battle tested Huskies seem ready to play up to their potential. It’s about time.

(10) Georgia Bulldogs @ (7) Washington Huskies (-5.5) (3/18) (CBS)