Athens — The way Sundiata Gaines figures it, Georgia is a sleeper team.

He probably should have said "sleepless."

Two days after improbably winning the Southeastern Conference tournament, including playing three games in 30 hours, the Georgia team is right now running on fumes as it prepares for its NCAA tournament opener against Xavier in Washington D.C. on Thursday.

"I only got like probably five hours (of sleep Sunday night)," Gaines said. "I had to get up and go to study hall early in the morning."

"(My legs) are a little bit down," said center Dave Bliss. "But we went short today (in practice) compared to what we normally do so hopefully we will be able to go by the time Thursday comes around."

By that time the tank should be full again, Gaines said.

"Everybody is focused and determined," Gaines said. "Physically we came a long way. Some guys may be a little fatigued. But this is the part of the year when the mental part of the game comes in and I think everybody on our team is mentally tough."

Nobody would argue after the weekend Georgia just had. The team may be as prepared mentally as anyone entering the tournament. That's not just because of what they did on the floor but what they did as a team.

For once, a group that had been justifiably picked apart by fans and opponents alike formed a bond.

"Me and Dave Bliss brought everybody together and told them to take it a game at a time and play your hearts out," Gaines said. "Then, most of all, me and Dave were playing it like it was our last game. (The togetherness) showed. The SEC tournament built better chemistry in the team. Guys are having more fun now, making more shots and we are enjoying everything."

Georgia coach Dennis Felton said he is enjoying the recognition his program is receiving. The coach now sees his program being thrust into the spotlight and not having to turn away from the glare.

"We were making such good progress over the years and our recruiting was getting stronger and stronger with each year," Felton said. "We were already looking forward to being able to field more talented teams but this is a real shot in the arm."

Now Felton has some job security and he said that is important for the recruits to know.

"I hate for any of them to deal with any uncertainty, especially the ones who had already cast their lot with us," Felton said. "With the turn of events I am really happy for those guys too because nobody wants to see their child live through uncertainty. You want to have something you can count on."

Felton said what fans can count on is that even with tired bodies his team will play hard.

"I am pretty sure a lot of teams don't want to play us," Gaines said.