Mike Edwards Commits to the G!

Solid pick-up for the Dawgs.

Mike Edwards grew on me over the course of the last few weeks.  I wondered whether Edwards could end up as a Frank Kaminsky-type player.  Big, rangy kid who gets better and better every year.

It's happened at UGA before.  Alec Kessler came in lightly recruited, but gained some weight and was a beast for the Dawgs, averaging 21 points and 10 rebounds per game his senior year, and being named an All-American.  And sometimes, every now and then, our good players and role players can whup their 5-stars.

Not the best comparison, but Dave Bliss was a smart kid from a cold climate who during his collegiate career helped the Dawgs recover from NCAA penalties, leading us to the SEC Tournament championship his senior year.

Mike Edwards will hustle, he'll grow and he'll get better, working with Jonas Hayes.  Will most likely end up somewhere between Dave Bliss and Alec Kessler in terms of his production, but it will be fun to watch his progress.

Welcome, Big Mike!

Could Georgia Get the Steg Rocking Again? Five Keys

2012/2013 could be a turn-around season for the Dawgs. A lot has to go right, of course, but Fox has enough to work with to take the Dawgs from next-to-last in the SEC to next-to-first. Here are five keys to bring the crowd and the emotion back to Stegeman Coliseum.

1) KCP has to increase his shooting percentage. He's shooting under 40 percent from the field, and below 70 percent from the line. I've talked about his shooting form a few times. If he can be consistent in doing the small things, his percentage should go up. Putting him back at his natural position should help him get out on the fast break more consistently, which will lead to easier buckets.

2) Marcus Thornton has to come back healthy. We haven't seen what Thornton can do. If he can get back to 100 percent, the Dawgs will be able to play a much more exciting brand of basketball.

3) Bigs will have to defend and rebound like crazy. We don't need a ton of points from the inside players, but we do need them to do the dirty work.

4) One of the new guys has to perform. Between Charles Mann, Kenny Gaines and Brandon Morris, Georgia has brought in real talent. In my mind, Charles Mann is the key because he will be running the point.

5) We have to avoid injuries, suspensions, and off-the-court problems.

If UGA can use this early season trip to Italy, the associated 10 extra practice sessions, and the three games against European competition to get off to a good start, maybe this year will be special.

Dawgs Exploit Home Court Advantage

Kessler Memorial Tournament Wraps Up

Hugh Durham speaks on excellence and effort.

$2,500 scholarships given to deserving students. Great event.

Kessler

Kessler Memorial Tournament Begins

Roswell High will be participating.

Proceeds from the Tournament will help provide four $2,500 scholarships.

Kessler Tournament

Alec Kessler Memorial Tournament

The Tournament has been set for December 28 through the 30th. There will be 8 boys teams participating and 4 girls teams.

More Information

Coach Hugh Durham will speak at the banquet.

In honor of Alec, I am posting the link to the guest book from October 2007.

Alec

Remembering Alec Kessler

He passed away 2 years ago Tuesday.

Alec

I'll report on the results of the Alec Kessler Memorial Tournament during the high school basketball season.

Hope the Kessler family is well.

Alec Kessler Tourney Concludes

Great event. Glad that it went so well. Congratulations to the organizers.

I hope that the Kessler family is very happy with how everything turned out.

Kessler Memorial Tourney

Inaugural Alec Kessler Memorial Tournament

to begin tomorrow.

Coach Durham will speak at a Tournament dinner.

Alec Kessler Tournament

Alec Kessler Passed Away one year ago

this Monday.

All-everything at Georgia. Great kid. Fantastic student. All-American in basketball. Led Georgia to its only regular season championship, if memory serves me.

Passed away on a Saturday, October 13, 2007, while participating in a charity event, a father-son basketball game.

His widow, Rhea Kessler, began a foundation in Alec's memory. It provides scholarships, sports programs and mentoring programs for youth.

Shaquille O'Neal Announces Retirement

Shaq recently announced that he will retire after the 2009/2010 season. Now, I wouldn't be surprised if he changes his mind, but that's beside the point.

I mention it here because Shaq was part of one of the greatest moments in Georgia basketball history. He was on a loaded LSU team that featured O'Neal, 7' 0" center Stanley Roberts, and a fantastic shooting guard, Chris Jackson.

But that season, the magic belonged to Georgia. Georgia won its only regular season SEC title in 1990, when Alec Kessler, Rod Cole and Neville Austin led the team to victory over LSU. Neville Austin provided the final margin of victory with two free throws late. Alec Kessler scored 30 points. Georgia won the game 86 to 85.

Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2009

The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, located in Macon, Georgia, has reduced its list of potential inductees to the Hall for 2009. The list stands now at 35 names.

Former Georgia Men's Basketball Coach, Hugh Durham, is part of the list of 35, as is current Women's Basketball Coach, Andy Landers. Alec Kessler, former UGA basketball player, is also a potential nominee.