"Mr. Clutch"

Swansey recognized for his late-game heroics.

He hasn't shot a particularly good percentage this year, but at the end of games, he's "money."

Swanz

Zac "Mr. Clutch" Swansey

As Georgia missed big shot after big shot, fairly open threes, but with the game on the line, I thought it appropriate to post one of the articles about Zac Swansey.

Seems the guy has a knack for hitting the late game-winner. Instead of Big Shot Bob, as Robert Horry used to be called, maybe the nickname that one newspaper used, Mr. Clutch, is appropriate for Zac.

Still remember the key shot against UK in the SEC Tournament. We probably could have used his help today.

Swansey

Swansey works his magic

Hits the game-winning three-pointer in a triple overtime game.

Zac finished the outing with a double-double of 19 points, 11 assists, and 5 steals. Sounds like Swansey has his stroke back. He went 7 of 14 from the field, 2 of 2 from behind the arc, and 3 of 4 from the free throw line.

Clutch

Zac Swansey Interview

Good job by the Bleacher Report.

Zac sounds like a great guy to interview. He's positive about his experience at UGA, optimistic about the future, and has a few good stories to tell, to boot.

Hope Zac continues to do well in the OVC.

The Swanz

Swansey plays well in Tennessee Tech Opener

Tennessee Tech played at North Carolina State for its first game of the year. Swansey performed well going against Ryan Harrow, Lorenzo Brown and others.

Zac scored 13 points, had 5 assists and 3 rebounds. He shot 6 of 13 from the floor.

He'll help Tech this year. Wish him the best.

Swansey Honored

The Blue Ribbon Basketball Yearbook is out, and a familiar hoops player is noted. Blue Ribbon named Zac Swansey its 2010/2011 preseason Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year.

Swansey is newly eligible to compete at Tennessee Tech after sitting out last year, following his transfer from the University of Georgia. Hopefully, he spent his off-year working to tighten his handle and avoid floating sideways on his jumpshot.

Still appreciate Swansey for the miracle turn around J to beat University of Kentucky in the SEC Tourney. Hope he does well at Tech.

Troy Brewer to American U.

Troy Brewer has decided to finish his playing career at American University.

Troy had become disenchanted with his prospects with the Georgia basketball program during his sophomore year. He wasn't receiving much playing time under Coach Felton, and after Felton was let go, he decided to pursue other options. Without even waiting to see who the new head coach would be, Troy, along with Zac Swansey, announced that he would transfer from UGA. Swansey ended up going to Tennessee Tech.

American University sounds like a good fit for Brewer. The school is located in Washington, D.C., which makes it close to Troy's home in Gaithersburg, Maryland. AU is a much smaller school, with 6,000 undergraduate students. The Eagles compete in the Patriot League, playing against the likes of Army, Navy, Lehigh, Lafayette, and Holy Cross.

American went 24 and 8 in basketball last year, won the Patriot League, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. American lost by 13 to Villanova.

Announcement

Good luck, Troy!

Herald-Citizen on the Swansey Transfer

The coaching staff of Tennessee Tech recently announced that Zac Swansey will be joining the team.

The Herald Citizen did a nice job in their interviews. Sounds like a good fit for Zac.

Swansey to Tennessee Tech

Sounds like a good fit for him.

As I said previously, if Swansey fixes the mechanical issues on his jumpshot, he can have a nice career. I don't think he will ever be pro material, but he can work hard in the year that he has to sit out, get faster and tighten up his handle, and contribute to his new team.

Swansey sounds upbeat about the change. Good luck to him.

Leaving on the Midnight Train from Georgia

Swansey and Brewer are transferring. May be old news to readers, but I wanted to preserve the AP article.

Lots of twists and turns regarding Troy Brewer. Seemed like he was on, then off, then on again, regarding whether he would transfer. But he has definitely made up his mind, according to the article, and has stated that he wanted to get closer to home and get more playing time.

Don't blame him. Another program might help him to develop.

If I had his ear and the chance to make three suggestions, I would say the following: 1) Drive the ball. 2) Fix the mechanics on your shot. Too often you're bringing the ball across your body to prepare to shoot. 3) Drive the ball.

Good luck to Swansey and Brewer.

AJC Article on Transfers

I post this article here because it gives details on Swansey's reasons for wanting to leave.

Being demoted is part of the game. You've got to prove yourself with your production on the floor. Although Swansey faults the communication of his demotion, he should have seen it coming. The fact of the matter is for the year, Swansey shot 36% from the floor, 28% from behind the arc, and 50% from the line.

He just wasn't playing well.

On the other hand, Dustin Ware had a little more upside. Ware shot better from the floor, better from three, and had better speed. Ware wasn't tearing up the place, mind you, but he seemed to improve as he got more time.

Swansey could go to a different program and really contribute. He might not ever gain the starting position he seeks, but he'll have his chances to show what he can do. From what I could tell, as the year progressed, Swansey started to fix the mechanical issues on his shot. He always had great court vision, and he has some underutilized hops.

If he transfers, sits out a year, and improves his fundamentals, he could have a good college career ahead of him.

Swansey to Transfer

Well, there's my answer. I mentioned earlier that there was bound to be some turnover in UGA's hoops roster, and change has already begun.

Zac Swansey began the year as the starting point guard. I thought that Dustin Ware might be a better fit for the team, since I wasn't sure Swansey was fast enough to break other team's defenders off the dribble. I didn't consider him the kind of disruptive point guard that Coach Felton needed in his defensive system.

Swansey's scored a lot of points in high school, but from what I could tell from my admittedly limited viewing opportunities, an inordinate number of Swansey's points seemed to come from "snow-birding," or leaking out early on the fast break to convert lay-ups on the other end.

I hoped for the best when Swansey came to UGA, and Swansey performed quite well, I thought, as a back-up to Sundiata Gaines. However, Zac's contributions went south during his sophomore year when he had to man the point guard position as a starter.

Somehow Swansey's free-throw shooting skills abandoned him. Then his mid-range game went sideways-- literally. Swansey began to float laterally when he shot his jumper, and his field goal percentage accordingly fell.

In the meantime, Dustin Ware started off the year in a slump. Did not shoot well at all, and turned the ball over way too much.

Georgia's basketball fortunes slid, as teams employed a press and UGA gave the ball away over and over. Not to say that all of Georgia's faults were caused by the point guards. There was plenty of blame to go around.

At any rate, eventually Dustin Ware started to play better, and he replaced Swansey in the starting line-up. The year ended with a first round exit in the SEC Tournament, and guys have begun to examine their future with the team.

Swansey wants his shot to play basketball and to start, or at least play a good number of minutes. He does not want to be part of a rebuilding effort, and the turmoil associated with a new coach trying to put his stamp on the program is sure to be difficult for the team.

I will long remember Swansey's jumper to beat Kentucky, one of my favorite memories from Georgia's SEC Tournament championship run. I wish Zac well in the future.

Dawgs lose by 9 to UT.

I'm disappointed in the loss. Really disappointed because a win over the #15 team in the nation would have meant so much. And we all but had it. Not satisfied with "almost," but neither can I deny the fact that our level of basketball is much, much better.

Bottom line? We missed lots of free throws. That's the biggest issue. When we really needed them, we didn't sink'em. We shot over 70% for the game. That's a mark of a good team. But the mark of a top 20 team is converting from the charity stripe with the game on the line. We didn't do that, and until we do, we won't be an elite SEC team, beating teams like #15 UT.

Swansey missed a couple of jumpers that were about in the basket before coming back out. He played much better, though, and so did Dustin Ware. Somehow we've got to get Zac to shoot better than 37%, and he needs to be automatic from the line.

3 Key plays, the first one was the difference to the game:

Tyler Smith misses a free throw, we box out, jump to get it, but it hangs up on the rim and then falls off. They get the offensive rebound and pass it out to Tatum for a three.

Leslie misses a free throw, they get the rebound, push it up the floor and score.

We turn the ball over on the in-bounds lob to Price, they get the run-out and score.

Need of the hour?A 2-guard who can slash the ball to the rim and shoot jumpshots.

If Ebuka can play, then you don't try to preserve his redshirt. If he's recovered from the off-season surgery, then play him during the SEC stretch. If Anyaorah cannot go, then I guess Travis Leslie will have to be the guy.

But UT drove the ball to the hoop late in the game and converted, and we tried jumpshots that didn't work.

I am more patient than most, and I am enjoying seeing the kids get better. Let's get some victories in the SEC.

More Articles on Point Guard Play

Scout and Rival's each have an article on Georgia's point guard play.

Scout

Rivals

I posted the article from the Atlanta Journal and Constitution last night.

So, since everyone else is getting into the act, I'll offer yet more opinions on the topic of Georgia's point guards. Here are my thoughts:

Both Zac and Dustin will get better. It will be frustrating to watch. Neither is a shut-down defender. And they aren't guys with incredible speed and leaping ability.

Given Zac and Dustin's relative physical weakness, Coach Felton did not give much helpful analysis by comparing them to Stephon Marbury. Sure, Marbury grew as a point guard, and Zac and Dustin will need to grow. But the difference is that Marbury could jump out of the gym when he got to Tech. And Marbury was a physically tough, New York player. So he started out way, way ahead of Swansey and Ware.

The better comparison is to another New York point guard. Georgia's own Sundiata Gaines. Not the Sundiata Gaines who played well as a senior and led the team to the SEC Tournament championship, but the Sundiata Gaines who had to learn the point guard position as a freshman, and struggled mightily while doing so.

In his freshman year, Gaines shot 37% from the floor, 27% from behind the arc, 54% from the free throw line, and his assist to turnover ratio was barely even. However, Gaines excelled at effort. He wasn't a typical point guard, and he wasn't tall, but at 6' 1", he learned to battle, and he began to lead the team with his work ethic.

So with Gaines as a model, Zac and Dustin will have to learn to help Georgia, playing as smart, high-effort guys. Zac is 6' 1", and Dustin is 5' 11". They will always be under the rim players. The two will need to contribute by scoring when they can, hitting clutch shots and free throws, taking care of the ball, and distributing it to the right players in the right spots.

Dustin has the tighter handles and the most upside. In order for Dustin to achieve his potential, he'll need to hit the weights pretty hard and get used to driving the ball to the hole. When he played at North Cobb Christian, from what I could tell, there were other short guys on the floor who could give pressure defense and advance the ball on offense. Dustin seemed to have the role of designated shooter. He shot about as many 3-pointers as 2-pointers. Well, UGA needs him to be point guard, not a short 2-guard. And he can make the transition. It will just take some time.

Zac's free throw problems seem to be mechanical, rather than confidence. He shot a 1 and 1 against Tech, and the ball barely glanced the rim. My take is that he has the ball up on his fingertips too much when he releases it. His more natural shooting rhythm is for the ball to be placed back more in his palm. Let's bring in Mark Price, now that we have finished playing Georgia Tech for the year and don't have to worry about sabotage, and have him work with Zac until he gets it right.

I have also noticed that Zac seems to watch the ball when he shoots. He needs to focus on the basket, not the ball. If the ball spins just right, but lands nowhere near the rim, you're not going to score. Zac needs to keep his eyes on the basket and practice using the right mechanics time after time, so that in game situations his shooting stroke will be more reliable.

With college basketball's "win now" philosophy, Ware and Swansey don't have much time. They will need to start playing better right away, and somehow shorten the learning curve. What they can control is their effort, their attention to detail, their commitment to playing smart basketball. So I look forward to them leading the team in hustle and in focus, and letting the results take care of themselves.

Case in Point

In point guard, that is.

Georgia has not been playing well, and part of the issue is our point guards. The AJC did a story on Zac and Dustin, and their efforts to perform well for the Dawgs in the shadow of the legacy of Sundiata Gaines.

Man, I'm hoping these guys turn it around and have just a fantastic game soon. Like, later on today, when UT starts playing tough, physical basketball.

Swan-Zee! Swan-Zee! Swan-Zee!

Big Shot Bob:

Horry

Meet Big Shot Z!!

a. Kentucky video

Swansey

b. Wofford audio

Coach shoulda' known better


Zac's shots are more impressive, in my opinion, because of the following:

a) Zac has shot his buzzer-beaters over two defenders;

b) Zac's shots have come in overtime;

c) Swansey actually has to dribble and advance the ball upcourt at full speed before shooting, whereas Horry normally catches the ball flat-footed and lines up a set-shot;

d) Zac increases the degree of difficulty by twisting his body into pretzels before launching.

Besides, Horry went to Bama, instead of choosing like Zac and all other sensible people to go to the best school in the SEC, our own University of Georgia!

I Gave Up. You Did, Too

Stunning win for Georgia. Not that it was an upset. It's that Georgia snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. And then, we snatched it back again.

Georgia defeated Wofford by a score of 74 to 73. I haven't seen a box score, but it can't be pretty. We had way too many turnovers. Way too few rebounds.

They out-scrapped us, beat us to loose balls, executed better. Played with more poise. We missed free throws from our guys who normally sink them. I was not looking forward to reading the message boards.

Hats off to Ricky McPhee and Zac Swansey. Howard Thompkins and Corey Butler were also key to the victory. Corey did not shoot particularly well, but he had some good rebounds.

We don't look good without Thompkins. Woodbury sat out the game. Georgia is not a good team right now. But I'll take the victory.

We're 7 and 3. Let's win a few more.

Dawgs Win!

Huge win by the Dawgs against Virginia Tech. The Dawgs are now 6 and 3. Not bad for a team with young point guards.

There was a lot to like about this game.

1. Play of the Point Guards

Dustin Ware and Zac Swansey were much better. I like Dustin's confidence. He still settles for the long-distance jumpshot too much, but he will be a consistent scorer one of these days.

Zac Swansey played his best game of the year, in my opinion. He fought over the top of screens, defended with energy and purpose against a quick point guard for Tech. Distributed the basketball to shooters.

Zac did not shoot particularly well. There were a couple of drives to the basket in which he missed lay-ups. Not easy lay-ups, mind you, but ones that he normally converts. And he missed two critical free throws down the stretch. But the bottom line was that Swansey defended, passed well, and didn't turn the ball over. On balance, a good game.

2. Corey Butler

Corey Butler. My player of the game. He led the team in scoring with 11 points. He went 4 of 8 from the field, and made the assist late to Albert Jackson. The key to the entire game, however, was the job Butler did against Tech's shooter, Vasallo, in the second half. Butler defended like crazy. Fantastic game.

3. Chris Barnes

I keep saying that Barnes can give us "Trevor Booker-like" play down in the post. Booker is the fantastic power forward for Clemson. Well, against Tech, Barnes showed Dawg fans a glimpse of the player he can become. He went 4 of 4 from the field.

And let's face it. Teams are intimidated by a big guy who goes strong to the basket and dunks the ball with authority. Barnes did that last night. But in addition to his power game, Barnes also demonstrated improved fundamentals, scoring at least one basket with his off hand, a skill he developed while he was recovering from surgery on his right wrist.

Barnes can put up big numbers. Great hands. Fantastic leaping ability. Decent-enough shooting touch. He missed a couple of free throws, but other than that, a great job.

4. Dennis Felton

Coach Felton just seems a lot more relaxed this year. Guys on the message boards calling for his job and saying things that don't bear repeating. Meanwhile, Coach Felton was interviewed by Rivals, recently, and I was impressed.

Felton was just calm. Said that even in the loss to Illinois, he saw some things that he was pleased with-- such as the team's defensive intensity. Way too many turnovers, of course, but rather than calling his team out publicly, he praised them. That's what a good coach does with a young squad.

I have a feeling that Felton will make UGA very happy this year. This year. Sure, he has a 13-man roster with 9 freshmen and sophomores. Members of his team have had injuries, this season and last, that have hurt player development. But UGA basketball is growing, and as his players improve, Felton will look smarter and smarter.

Anyway, Felton has kept up the guys' spirits, has them believing in themselves, and I'm betting that a lot of UGA fans will get on board in the not too distant future.

Swansey Speaks to Break-Down Against Illinois

Hopefully, Georgia has fixed the problems that led to the 34-point blow-out loss to Illinois. UGA will be playing Virginia Tech tomorrow, and the game is on t.v.

Zac Swansey was interviewed as part of the Red and Black follow-up article to the Illinois game. He blamed the loss on a lack of teamwork.

Swansey

The Dawgs need a quick start against Va. Tech. Tech is an ACC team, and they have some pretty good pieces, including Dorenzo Hudson, a shooting guard that Georgia recruited; and Jeff Allen, a 6' 7" power forward who played with Jeremy Jacob at Hargrave.

Georgia Beats Presbyterian

Final score: 55 to 47.

I did it last time, so I'll repeat it maybe one last time, using the good, bad and ugly analysis method.

Good:

Travis Leslie was 2 for 2. Troy Brewer hit a 3 right away. The Dawgs took it to the inside. Chris Barnes went 3 for 4. Zac Swansey was the player of the game, imo, shooting 6 for 10 from the floor and getting 6 rebounds.

Georgia played well without Albert Jackson and without Howard Thompkins. Georgia got behind and turned it around on a 13 to 0 run. Georgia played full court press.

Bad:

I consider the "bad" to be things that I'd like to see happen differently.

So, I think Travis Leslie deserves more playing time. He was 2 of 2 from the field and got 6 rebounds in very limited minutes. He was the spark off the bench that the Dawgs needed.

Ugly:

Foul shooting. Atrocious. We shot 2 for 11. Our point guards have to shoot well from the free throw line, particularly at the end of games, and they're not doing it.

Terrance Woodbury did not shoot well-- 5 for 14. He needs to score the basketball and shoot a high percentage.

We were losing in the second half to Presbyterian. Not good.

Bottom Line:

A win is a win. Georgia is 3 and 1 on the season. Two more games coming next week. We need to get both of these, and ease Thompkins back into the mix.