Great steal by Forte. We need another steal or for them to miss a ton of free throws.
Is there hope?
Showing posts with label Cameron Forte. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cameron Forte. Show all posts
Friday, March 20, 2015
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Ugly Game
Wish we would have put up more of a fight against Arkansas. UGA loses 60 to 49.
We needed something from Nemi and Yante. I think they each hit a bucket, but that was it. As a team we shot 32 percent from the field and around 55 percent from the line. Just won't get it done.
Maybe it's best that we lost and didn't go up against Kentucky with a depleted squad. With our offensive woes, UK would have whupped us by 60.
I am extremely happy, however, for
1) Taylor Echols
Great game for him. The highlight of his college playing career, no doubt. National t.v., hits three threes and scores in double figures.
2) Cameron Forte
Played a good game. Didn't give us much in the second half, but he was all we had early in the first. Finished 5 of 9 from the field and 3 of 5 from the line.
3) Juwan Parker
Strongly disagree with the decision to send him back out there after his ankle injury. He is done for the year. No matter who we play. No matter who else is injured. Don't jeopardize a guy's future like that.
I am happy that he didn't injure the ankle again.
4) UGA Squad
As bad as we played, I am happy that no one else was injured.
5) UGA Squad
We played well enough this year to make the Big Dance. 21 and 11 is a good season. Not what could have been, but I think we represented ourselves well. Let's win at least one in the tourney.
We needed something from Nemi and Yante. I think they each hit a bucket, but that was it. As a team we shot 32 percent from the field and around 55 percent from the line. Just won't get it done.
Maybe it's best that we lost and didn't go up against Kentucky with a depleted squad. With our offensive woes, UK would have whupped us by 60.
I am extremely happy, however, for
1) Taylor Echols
Great game for him. The highlight of his college playing career, no doubt. National t.v., hits three threes and scores in double figures.
2) Cameron Forte
Played a good game. Didn't give us much in the second half, but he was all we had early in the first. Finished 5 of 9 from the field and 3 of 5 from the line.
3) Juwan Parker
Strongly disagree with the decision to send him back out there after his ankle injury. He is done for the year. No matter who we play. No matter who else is injured. Don't jeopardize a guy's future like that.
I am happy that he didn't injure the ankle again.
4) UGA Squad
As bad as we played, I am happy that no one else was injured.
5) UGA Squad
We played well enough this year to make the Big Dance. 21 and 11 is a good season. Not what could have been, but I think we represented ourselves well. Let's win at least one in the tourney.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Ten Questions for UGA Basketball (Post Double OT Loss to LSU)
1. Can Marcus Thornton appeal for another year?
There has to be some rationale for an appeal, given his health issues and knee surgeries, right?
Sure hope so. A UGA squad with sophomore Yante Maten, freshman Derek Ogbeide, and a returning Marcus Thornton in the post would be formidable.
Thornton might have played one of his best games against LSU. Missed key free throws, but he was a warrior against a tough LSU front court. Finished the night with 16 points and 16 rebounds. Bad foul against Quarterman in the first overtime, but their guys were fouling him and he wasn't getting the calls. He's won more games for us than he's lost.
2. With Charles Mann on the free throw line, why pull potential offensive rebounders from the lane?
Fox knows that Mann is not a good free throw shooter. As might be expected, Mann missed two foul shots late, and the second miss bounced off the rim and up the lane some. Marcus Thornton or even Kenny Gaines might have been able to corral it if Fox had not pulled them away.
3. Is it time to bring Nemi Djurisic off the bench?
He did have 15, and I know Nemi is a senior, but Georgia might hit the ground running better if Maten becomes a starter in Nemi's stead.
4. Did Cameron Forte just earn a start at the 3 position?
Played well last night. I said in a previous post that if Forte changes his shooting stroke, he can put up big numbers. Good hands, crafty with the ball, good enough defense. Liability away from the basket. Clean that up, and Georgia has its small forward for the rest of the season. Had 10 points on 5 of 8 shooting. I say, start him next game.
5. Why not press?
Arkansas does it, LSU does it. So does Kentucky. Gets you a few turnovers as guys get rattled.
6. Did Fox make a serious effort to recruit Tim Quarterman?
I know I asked that question a couple of years ago, and I guess it's a moot point now, but I sure would like to know the answer. Some fans argued back in 2013 that by signing Frazier, Fox had successfully recruited the best point guard recruit in the state. Problem is that Fox hadn't. Tim Quarterman was better, and UGA fans now see why.
Frazier had an off-night, and that's allowed, but the fact remains that he was 0 for 7 from the floor and finished with 2 points. Meanwhile, Quarterman was 10 for 16, with 27 points, hitting clutch baskets, one after the other. Quarterman will be a star in the league. He lets the game come to him, but when LSU needs a big basket, Quarterman has become the guy.
Quarterman delivered for LSU last night. Would have been nice to have him at UGA, but from what I could tell, Fox never seemed interested.
7. What's up with Juwan Parker?
Is it a confidence thing? Maybe he just needs to get in the gym and shoot. He's not looking for his shot these days. Defends and rebounds well, but if he's going to be our starting small forward, it would be nice to see him attempt a shot every now and then. With his free throw stroke, one would think that that would translate into a nice mid-range game. That's not happening. Just wondering whether Fox told him not to shoot.
8. Can we expect anything from Osahen Iduwe this year?
Didn't get any minutes. Could be a communication barrier. He's not a native English speaker, and even guys born here take a while to learn where to be in the Fox offense. All the same, if he isn't going to play, why didn't we red-shirt him? And I guess the bigger question is whether we can expect him to contribute at any point, this year or next. I'm not familiar with his game, but you have to hope that Jonas Hayes is working with him to get him ready.
9. Will Charles Mann learn a floater?
He's a 6' 5" point guard who has some muscle. I get that. I also get that he does not shoot free throws that well, and he turns the ball over on charges. Can he keep his head up and use a floater or jump stop to shoot the ball? Would love to see him add that to his arsenal.
10/ How will Georgia fare in a much tougher SEC?
We're 0 and 2 in the SEC and 9 and 5 on the season as a whole. Hate to judge based on just a couple of games, but it's hard to see Georgia ending up in the top 5 of the SEC this year. Our competition is tougher.
Alabama seems much improved. They stomped Tennessee. Missouri has talent. LSU is better this year, even without Johnny O'Bryant. Florida started slow, but they are improving. South Carolina has taken a step forward. Kentucky is a beast. Texas A and M gave them trouble. Arkansas has already beaten us.
There are no easy victories on the schedule. If we're not careful, the season could get away from us.
There has to be some rationale for an appeal, given his health issues and knee surgeries, right?
Sure hope so. A UGA squad with sophomore Yante Maten, freshman Derek Ogbeide, and a returning Marcus Thornton in the post would be formidable.
Thornton might have played one of his best games against LSU. Missed key free throws, but he was a warrior against a tough LSU front court. Finished the night with 16 points and 16 rebounds. Bad foul against Quarterman in the first overtime, but their guys were fouling him and he wasn't getting the calls. He's won more games for us than he's lost.
2. With Charles Mann on the free throw line, why pull potential offensive rebounders from the lane?
Fox knows that Mann is not a good free throw shooter. As might be expected, Mann missed two foul shots late, and the second miss bounced off the rim and up the lane some. Marcus Thornton or even Kenny Gaines might have been able to corral it if Fox had not pulled them away.
3. Is it time to bring Nemi Djurisic off the bench?
He did have 15, and I know Nemi is a senior, but Georgia might hit the ground running better if Maten becomes a starter in Nemi's stead.
4. Did Cameron Forte just earn a start at the 3 position?
Played well last night. I said in a previous post that if Forte changes his shooting stroke, he can put up big numbers. Good hands, crafty with the ball, good enough defense. Liability away from the basket. Clean that up, and Georgia has its small forward for the rest of the season. Had 10 points on 5 of 8 shooting. I say, start him next game.
5. Why not press?
Arkansas does it, LSU does it. So does Kentucky. Gets you a few turnovers as guys get rattled.
6. Did Fox make a serious effort to recruit Tim Quarterman?
I know I asked that question a couple of years ago, and I guess it's a moot point now, but I sure would like to know the answer. Some fans argued back in 2013 that by signing Frazier, Fox had successfully recruited the best point guard recruit in the state. Problem is that Fox hadn't. Tim Quarterman was better, and UGA fans now see why.
Frazier had an off-night, and that's allowed, but the fact remains that he was 0 for 7 from the floor and finished with 2 points. Meanwhile, Quarterman was 10 for 16, with 27 points, hitting clutch baskets, one after the other. Quarterman will be a star in the league. He lets the game come to him, but when LSU needs a big basket, Quarterman has become the guy.
Quarterman delivered for LSU last night. Would have been nice to have him at UGA, but from what I could tell, Fox never seemed interested.
7. What's up with Juwan Parker?
Is it a confidence thing? Maybe he just needs to get in the gym and shoot. He's not looking for his shot these days. Defends and rebounds well, but if he's going to be our starting small forward, it would be nice to see him attempt a shot every now and then. With his free throw stroke, one would think that that would translate into a nice mid-range game. That's not happening. Just wondering whether Fox told him not to shoot.
8. Can we expect anything from Osahen Iduwe this year?
Didn't get any minutes. Could be a communication barrier. He's not a native English speaker, and even guys born here take a while to learn where to be in the Fox offense. All the same, if he isn't going to play, why didn't we red-shirt him? And I guess the bigger question is whether we can expect him to contribute at any point, this year or next. I'm not familiar with his game, but you have to hope that Jonas Hayes is working with him to get him ready.
9. Will Charles Mann learn a floater?
He's a 6' 5" point guard who has some muscle. I get that. I also get that he does not shoot free throws that well, and he turns the ball over on charges. Can he keep his head up and use a floater or jump stop to shoot the ball? Would love to see him add that to his arsenal.
10/ How will Georgia fare in a much tougher SEC?
We're 0 and 2 in the SEC and 9 and 5 on the season as a whole. Hate to judge based on just a couple of games, but it's hard to see Georgia ending up in the top 5 of the SEC this year. Our competition is tougher.
Alabama seems much improved. They stomped Tennessee. Missouri has talent. LSU is better this year, even without Johnny O'Bryant. Florida started slow, but they are improving. South Carolina has taken a step forward. Kentucky is a beast. Texas A and M gave them trouble. Arkansas has already beaten us.
There are no easy victories on the schedule. If we're not careful, the season could get away from us.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
May the Best Man Win at Small Forward
I decided to edit my post about the dismissal of Brandon Morris, and keep it fairly short, meanwhile adding to my post about the line-up for the fall.
So, now that Morris will no longer be around to hold down the starting position at small forward, UGA's options going into the 2014/2015 season appear to be:
Yante Maten, 6' 8" freshman.
Kenny Paul Geno, 6' 6" sophomore.
Juwan Parker, 6' 4" sophomore.
Nemi Djurisic, 6' 8" senior.
Cameron Forte, 6' 7" junior.
Maten has talent and appears to be very versatile, having played some point guard in high school. His issues are learning the offense and getting in shape. I had Maten replacing Donte Williams at the power forward position, helping out Marcus Thornton, who is an under-sized post.
Kenny Paul Geno, a late recruiting pick-up last season after Kentavious Caldwell-Pope opted for the NBA, played some last year against Mississippi State and actually looked pretty good, scoring six points. Otherwise, Geno averaged a point and a rebound per game over the course of the year. Is he ready to start at the small forward position? I don't think so, but he'll get his share of minutes.
Juwan Parker can play. The problem is that he is our one option behind Kenny Gaines at the two-guard. I say, keep bringing Parker off the bench.
Nemi has played a lot. When he's hot, he's fun to watch. When he's not, not so much. I wouldn't regard him as an elite defender or ball-handler, which is what you want from a small forward. I like Nemi providing a spark as sixth man.
Forte has good hands and is crafty around the basket. He led Georgia in field goal percentage, almost shooting 60 percent from the floor (.591). The only team members who came close to that percentage were Donte Williams and John Cannon, both of whom moved on. Forte's biggest issue is that he can't shoot (Sounds harsh, but anyone who shoots 30 percent from the free throw line for a D-1 team, can't shoot, okay?). Fox was quoted once as saying that Forte "has an ugly game, but good instincts."
Result? Who's our best man for the job?
If Forte's game goes from ugly to decent-looking, he is the best option. He doesn't need to be a three-point ace, but he simply must get to the point where he can convert from as far out as 15 feet, and at least shoot better than 60 percent from the line. Forte, who looks more like 6' 5" than his listed 6' 7", is a decent rebounder, averaging 2 boards per game in 9 minutes. He is not an explosive leaper, and probably won't ever be, but I would hope that he can increase his vertical a few inches over the summer.
If Forte doesn't improve, then Parker probably gets the start. A lot of teams use three-guard sets, and Parker is probably the best match-up for those situations. Fox hopefully is scouring the AAU circuit looking for a late-blooming two-guard, with size. I'd rather save the ship than save the 'ship at this point.
So, now that Morris will no longer be around to hold down the starting position at small forward, UGA's options going into the 2014/2015 season appear to be:
Yante Maten, 6' 8" freshman.
Kenny Paul Geno, 6' 6" sophomore.
Juwan Parker, 6' 4" sophomore.
Nemi Djurisic, 6' 8" senior.
Cameron Forte, 6' 7" junior.
Maten has talent and appears to be very versatile, having played some point guard in high school. His issues are learning the offense and getting in shape. I had Maten replacing Donte Williams at the power forward position, helping out Marcus Thornton, who is an under-sized post.
Kenny Paul Geno, a late recruiting pick-up last season after Kentavious Caldwell-Pope opted for the NBA, played some last year against Mississippi State and actually looked pretty good, scoring six points. Otherwise, Geno averaged a point and a rebound per game over the course of the year. Is he ready to start at the small forward position? I don't think so, but he'll get his share of minutes.
Juwan Parker can play. The problem is that he is our one option behind Kenny Gaines at the two-guard. I say, keep bringing Parker off the bench.
Nemi has played a lot. When he's hot, he's fun to watch. When he's not, not so much. I wouldn't regard him as an elite defender or ball-handler, which is what you want from a small forward. I like Nemi providing a spark as sixth man.
Forte has good hands and is crafty around the basket. He led Georgia in field goal percentage, almost shooting 60 percent from the floor (.591). The only team members who came close to that percentage were Donte Williams and John Cannon, both of whom moved on. Forte's biggest issue is that he can't shoot (Sounds harsh, but anyone who shoots 30 percent from the free throw line for a D-1 team, can't shoot, okay?). Fox was quoted once as saying that Forte "has an ugly game, but good instincts."
Result? Who's our best man for the job?
If Forte's game goes from ugly to decent-looking, he is the best option. He doesn't need to be a three-point ace, but he simply must get to the point where he can convert from as far out as 15 feet, and at least shoot better than 60 percent from the line. Forte, who looks more like 6' 5" than his listed 6' 7", is a decent rebounder, averaging 2 boards per game in 9 minutes. He is not an explosive leaper, and probably won't ever be, but I would hope that he can increase his vertical a few inches over the summer.
If Forte doesn't improve, then Parker probably gets the start. A lot of teams use three-guard sets, and Parker is probably the best match-up for those situations. Fox hopefully is scouring the AAU circuit looking for a late-blooming two-guard, with size. I'd rather save the ship than save the 'ship at this point.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Dawgs should win against Chattanooga
Expecting a good game for UGA. Would like to see us continue to work on fundamentals. I'm okay with Fox using his deep bench as long as the game is in hand.
Charles Mann and Kenny Gaines should have an advantage on the perimeter. If Brandon and Forte drive the ball they should be able to finish at the rim. Wish Fox would experiment with both Brandon and Cam on the floor at the same time. Just slide Morris down to the power forward position.
If Donte plays big, he might start to get his confidence back. Marcus Thornton has been playing much better this year.
If Donte plays big, he might start to get his confidence back. Marcus Thornton has been playing much better this year.
If we get to a 3 and 4 record with a victory tonight, Coach Fox and the squad will start to feel better about their prospects for the season. As I said previously, we have to take it a game at a time.
Curious to see how Andrew Houts will do for the Mocs. Hoops fans may remember that his sister Ashley was a McDonald's All-American and an all-everything player for UGA. Ashley is playing in the WNBA for the Washington Mystics. Andrew can shoot the three, so it's important to cover him on the perimeter.
Predicting a ten-point win for the Dawgs, 73 to 63. Something like that.
Go Dawgs!
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Dawgs Lose to Nebraska
Final score: Nebraska 73, Dawgs 65.
We're 1 and 4 on the year and dead last in the SEC.
We're inventing ways to lose now. This time we couldn't hit our free throws.
I keep thinking that Georgia is going to put it all together and beat some team by double digits. I thought we would get a W in at least one of the three contests. Didn't happen. We came in last place in the tournament, not winning a single game.
Not sure what to make of this team. We have some possibilities. We could go on a run and win the next six games. It could happen.
There are possibilities, but there are also problems.
Wing players. Brandon Morris is playing pretty well. Meanwhile, Cameron Forte seems to have taken a step back (Mark Fox needs to work on Forte's shot. Make him shoot one-handed until he starts getting good arc on the ball and learns to use his off-hand as a guide, only).
Post players. We still don't have the production we need in the post. Marcus Thornton is doing better, but he has no lift off of his surgically repaired legs. Sad to see, since he had so much bounce in high school. By the way, he and Donte don't need to be shooting three-pointers.
Shooting guards. We got next to no production from our 2-guard position. Kenny Gaines went 3 for 9 and Juwan Parker shot 0 for 3. A combined 3 for 12 won't get it done. If our shooting guards don't manage better than 25 percent from the field, we will lose every time.
Offense. Our offense doesn't seem to get us any good shots. Or maybe the shots are there, but our guys just can't hit'em. All too often, however, we run the weave 25 feet or more from the basket, pass it into the short corner and try to angle a guy toward the basket.
If the game under the new rules is to drive the ball to the basket and get fouled, then let's design an offense that will do just that. Scrap the triangle, or at least try an alternative during part of the game. Charles Mann is good at driving the ball, but we need to have more players who can do it. Reminds me of Sundiata Gaines driving the ball on almost every possession back when Felton was coaching. We can do better. Coach Fox has to make it so.
I think Mark Fox's record at UGA is now into negative territory at 66 and 67. If we don't pick up a string of wins during the non-conference part of the schedule, Fox will likely have yet another losing season, notching losing seasons in 4 out of his 5 years. All of our momentum seems to be backwards, and it's hard to argue with the guys who point out that Georgia basketball has degraded under his stewardship.
They have a point. Multiple losing seasons, no recruits, poor defense and a stagnant offense spell disaster for a basketball program. Like I've said before, I like to see our guys graduate, but if that's the only criteria for successful coaching, hire one of the academic advisers to coach the team. Sure wouldn't cost us $1.7 million a year.
Gotta have some wins and quick. We really need a good run over these next few games. Fox, make it happen!
We're 1 and 4 on the year and dead last in the SEC.
We're inventing ways to lose now. This time we couldn't hit our free throws.
I keep thinking that Georgia is going to put it all together and beat some team by double digits. I thought we would get a W in at least one of the three contests. Didn't happen. We came in last place in the tournament, not winning a single game.
Not sure what to make of this team. We have some possibilities. We could go on a run and win the next six games. It could happen.
There are possibilities, but there are also problems.
Wing players. Brandon Morris is playing pretty well. Meanwhile, Cameron Forte seems to have taken a step back (Mark Fox needs to work on Forte's shot. Make him shoot one-handed until he starts getting good arc on the ball and learns to use his off-hand as a guide, only).
Post players. We still don't have the production we need in the post. Marcus Thornton is doing better, but he has no lift off of his surgically repaired legs. Sad to see, since he had so much bounce in high school. By the way, he and Donte don't need to be shooting three-pointers.
Shooting guards. We got next to no production from our 2-guard position. Kenny Gaines went 3 for 9 and Juwan Parker shot 0 for 3. A combined 3 for 12 won't get it done. If our shooting guards don't manage better than 25 percent from the field, we will lose every time.
Offense. Our offense doesn't seem to get us any good shots. Or maybe the shots are there, but our guys just can't hit'em. All too often, however, we run the weave 25 feet or more from the basket, pass it into the short corner and try to angle a guy toward the basket.
If the game under the new rules is to drive the ball to the basket and get fouled, then let's design an offense that will do just that. Scrap the triangle, or at least try an alternative during part of the game. Charles Mann is good at driving the ball, but we need to have more players who can do it. Reminds me of Sundiata Gaines driving the ball on almost every possession back when Felton was coaching. We can do better. Coach Fox has to make it so.
I think Mark Fox's record at UGA is now into negative territory at 66 and 67. If we don't pick up a string of wins during the non-conference part of the schedule, Fox will likely have yet another losing season, notching losing seasons in 4 out of his 5 years. All of our momentum seems to be backwards, and it's hard to argue with the guys who point out that Georgia basketball has degraded under his stewardship.
They have a point. Multiple losing seasons, no recruits, poor defense and a stagnant offense spell disaster for a basketball program. Like I've said before, I like to see our guys graduate, but if that's the only criteria for successful coaching, hire one of the academic advisers to coach the team. Sure wouldn't cost us $1.7 million a year.
Gotta have some wins and quick. We really need a good run over these next few games. Fox, make it happen!
Friday, November 22, 2013
Dawgs lose to Temple
Why did we inbound the ball to Donte? I don't think the three-point cast by Donte is what Fox had in mind, but darned if I could see what play Fox wanted to run. Why not throw it in to Morris, Mann or Gaines? All those guys can catch it and drive the ball.
Anyway, we lost 83 to 81. We're 1 and 3 on the season. The good news is that for the first time this year, we looked like we can play.
Brandon Morris is the key to this team. He can handle, drive the ball and defend. He missed crucial free throws late, but that's to be expected for a guy who hasn't played all year.
Kudos to Kenny Gaines and Charles Mann. They both played well and scored 21 and 19 points, respectively. We'll pick up a few victories this year. All is not lost. Even Marcus Thornton looked good.
Fox finally let his starters stay on the court during the second half. You test your deep bench in practice or during exhibition games. If Fox will stick with a limited rotation, the Dawgs can get in games and stay there.
Please, Fox. Play Mann, Gaines, Morris, Williams, Thornton, Djurisic and Forte. Sub in Parker and Frazier when necessary. Stop pulling guys when they hit a basket.
Thank you.
Anyway, we lost 83 to 81. We're 1 and 3 on the season. The good news is that for the first time this year, we looked like we can play.
Brandon Morris is the key to this team. He can handle, drive the ball and defend. He missed crucial free throws late, but that's to be expected for a guy who hasn't played all year.
Kudos to Kenny Gaines and Charles Mann. They both played well and scored 21 and 19 points, respectively. We'll pick up a few victories this year. All is not lost. Even Marcus Thornton looked good.
Fox finally let his starters stay on the court during the second half. You test your deep bench in practice or during exhibition games. If Fox will stick with a limited rotation, the Dawgs can get in games and stay there.
Please, Fox. Play Mann, Gaines, Morris, Williams, Thornton, Djurisic and Forte. Sub in Parker and Frazier when necessary. Stop pulling guys when they hit a basket.
Thank you.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Georgia will beat Davidson
Here's why:
1. Tech beat us
I imagine that practice this week was rigorous. Not wanting to start the season at 1 and 2, the Dawgs will hunker down early and play to win.
2. Morris will play
Brandon Morris won't start, but he'll see action. Anything more than a 3-game suspension would have been in the news.
Brandon will spell Cameron Forte and Morris will remind Dawg fans what he can do: play above the rim, score in the post, get to the free throw line.
3. Georgia is bigger in the post
There's a reason they're 0 and 3. Davidson was really good last year, but they have played this year against schools with bigger athletes and have yet to win. Georgia will have an advantage on the boards. When we out-rebound a team, we will win.
4. Kenny Gaines will have a good game
He didn't shoot well against Tech. Neither did Parker. Expect both to bounce back.
5. Charles Mann is a stud
As I have said previously, Mann will likely finish his career as Georgia's best point guard ever. Mann has the size of Vern Fleming, the willingness to drive of Sundiata Gaines, and the intangibles of Rashad Wright. He has changed the release on his shot, which makes him a threat to score from deep. He'll have 18 or 19 points this evening.
This one won't be as close as the experts have predicted. Dawgs win by 14. Game starts at 5:00.
Oops. Game starts when it starts. Double-overtime game pushes back the start.
1. Tech beat us
I imagine that practice this week was rigorous. Not wanting to start the season at 1 and 2, the Dawgs will hunker down early and play to win.
2. Morris will play
Brandon Morris won't start, but he'll see action. Anything more than a 3-game suspension would have been in the news.
Brandon will spell Cameron Forte and Morris will remind Dawg fans what he can do: play above the rim, score in the post, get to the free throw line.
3. Georgia is bigger in the post
There's a reason they're 0 and 3. Davidson was really good last year, but they have played this year against schools with bigger athletes and have yet to win. Georgia will have an advantage on the boards. When we out-rebound a team, we will win.
4. Kenny Gaines will have a good game
He didn't shoot well against Tech. Neither did Parker. Expect both to bounce back.
5. Charles Mann is a stud
As I have said previously, Mann will likely finish his career as Georgia's best point guard ever. Mann has the size of Vern Fleming, the willingness to drive of Sundiata Gaines, and the intangibles of Rashad Wright. He has changed the release on his shot, which makes him a threat to score from deep. He'll have 18 or 19 points this evening.
This one won't be as close as the experts have predicted. Dawgs win by 14. Game starts at 5:00.
Oops. Game starts when it starts. Double-overtime game pushes back the start.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Wapo on Fox and the Dawgs
Can Fox make the Dawgs relevant? With lackluster recruiting and losing seasons in 3 out of his 4 years, the Washington Post points to five items to watch.
1) Fox Future
How patient will McGarity be? The Post points out that UGA didn't wait very long with other unsuccessful coaches (Jirsa, Felton).
2) Marcus Thornton
Can Marcus play above the rim? Dawgs fans wonder if Thornton is more like Blake Griffin, who regained his explosiveness after knee surgery, or the myriad other hoops players who didn't.
3) Donte Williams
Will Donte finish strong in his senior year?
4) Freshman Class
Will the freshmen help this year? How well will Parker, Frazier, Forte and Geno play?
5) Early Schedule
Georgia really struggled last year in the pre-SEC portion of the schedule.
Post Article
My take on it:
Fox has the support of McGarity. Fox will lose it if the Dawgs struggle. Do not expect for Fox to get a contract extension. McGarity likes the improved academics with the team. But let's face it. If winning isn't the goal, let one of the Honors English professors coach the team. We'd save a heck of a lot of money.
If Fox follows 3 out of 4 losing seasons with 4 out of 5, he will be let go. That's my best guess for why Fox used 4 scholarships last year on players who were not high-ranked. You save scholarships if you think you will be around to offer them. If not, you bring on the best players you can now.
Not expecting much from Thornton. His game is predicated on his ability to jump. If he can't jump and attack the rim, then won't score a lot of points. I'm hoping he will return to form, but realistically, I think we will see about what we saw the last couple of years-- decent effort and rebounding, but not much else.
Donte had a rough start last year with the drug allegations. He'll do much better this year.
The freshmen guards have to play. We don't have anybody else. Forte and Parker could be incredible, or they could be average. I expect them to contribute, but this team belongs to Gaines, Mann and Morris.
The Dawgs could go 10 and 0 in the early season. The key game is Georgia Tech. If we beat Tech, it will be such a huge boost to the team that we could go undefeated early or 9 and 1. If we lose, things could go downhill fast for Fox.
1) Fox Future
How patient will McGarity be? The Post points out that UGA didn't wait very long with other unsuccessful coaches (Jirsa, Felton).
2) Marcus Thornton
Can Marcus play above the rim? Dawgs fans wonder if Thornton is more like Blake Griffin, who regained his explosiveness after knee surgery, or the myriad other hoops players who didn't.
3) Donte Williams
Will Donte finish strong in his senior year?
4) Freshman Class
Will the freshmen help this year? How well will Parker, Frazier, Forte and Geno play?
5) Early Schedule
Georgia really struggled last year in the pre-SEC portion of the schedule.
Post Article
My take on it:
Fox has the support of McGarity. Fox will lose it if the Dawgs struggle. Do not expect for Fox to get a contract extension. McGarity likes the improved academics with the team. But let's face it. If winning isn't the goal, let one of the Honors English professors coach the team. We'd save a heck of a lot of money.
If Fox follows 3 out of 4 losing seasons with 4 out of 5, he will be let go. That's my best guess for why Fox used 4 scholarships last year on players who were not high-ranked. You save scholarships if you think you will be around to offer them. If not, you bring on the best players you can now.
Not expecting much from Thornton. His game is predicated on his ability to jump. If he can't jump and attack the rim, then won't score a lot of points. I'm hoping he will return to form, but realistically, I think we will see about what we saw the last couple of years-- decent effort and rebounding, but not much else.
Donte had a rough start last year with the drug allegations. He'll do much better this year.
The freshmen guards have to play. We don't have anybody else. Forte and Parker could be incredible, or they could be average. I expect them to contribute, but this team belongs to Gaines, Mann and Morris.
The Dawgs could go 10 and 0 in the early season. The key game is Georgia Tech. If we beat Tech, it will be such a huge boost to the team that we could go undefeated early or 9 and 1. If we lose, things could go downhill fast for Fox.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
How to fix recruiting, attendance and pick up 5 wins
Recruiting for UGA basketball coach Mark Fox has not been going well. It does not figure to get better in the near future.
Let's face it, hoops fans. We have missed out on every recruit we tried for this year. Gant ain't and Lee is lee-ning elsewhere (interpreted, Jakeenan Gant is committed to Missouri, and William Lee will likely end up at Alabama). Fisher-Davis picked Vandy, Tadric Jackson chose Tech, Ahmed Hill has apparently turned us down, Turman committed to Tennessee. Guards, forwards, centers. Didn't matter. The answer to the Fox recruiting pitch was "No thanks."
Truly is stunning to me. I have never seen a Georgia coach in any sport go "0-for" in a recruiting season, but that's exactly what Mark Fox has done so far for 2014 players.
Unfortunately, Fox didn't do much better for 2013, either, missing out on every high level recruit, and ending up with what some fans would consider four "diamond in the rough"-types (two 3-star players and two un-ranked guys). Could be good players, but they are not the heralded recruits that our SEC competitors like Florida, Alabama and Kentucky are bringing in.
2012 was better, and Fox managed to attract three 3-star players, Kenny Gaines, Brandon Morris and Charles Mann. Still, Fox missed out on elite big men from the state of Georgia, Tony Parker, Robert Carter, Charles Mitchell, and Shaq Goodwin.
I have posted similar information before, but it bears repeating:
Fox Recruiting Classes
Vincent Williams, 2009
Marcus Thornton, Donte Williams, Sherrard Brantley, 2010
John Florveus, Nemanja Djurisic, Caldwell-Pope, Tim Dixon and John Cannon, 2011
Brandon Morris, Kenny Gaines, Charles Mann, 2012
Kenny Paul Geno, J.J. Frazier, Juwan Parker and Cameron Forte, 2013
Nada, 2014
Said another way, Fox has during his tenure brought in 16 signees, who were given a total of 41 stars according to Rivals.com. That's 2.5 stars per recruit.
In those 5 classes and 16 recruits, only one signee was above 3-stars. Performance on the court generally follows performance in recruiting classes. Of the 16 recruits who have played so far, only one has managed over 8 points per game (KCP). None of the big men Fox has recruited have averaged over 4.5 boards a game. Not surprisingly, Fox has managed 3 losing seasons out of a total of 4. His one winning season was with his predecessor's recruits.
Attendance at UGA hoops games has sagged. Fans want to see an exciting brand of basketball, and the Fox teams have not delivered. According to one source, Georgia has the worst home attendance in the SEC.
How can Fox recover? How can he get a decent recruit for 2014? How can he win games and boost attendance? The answer to these questions, in the author's opinion, may lie at Northwest Florida Junior College.
Why Northwest Florida? Because Tevin Glass and Shaq Johnson are there.
Fox can make a big step forward by bringing in Glass and Johnson. I don't see anybody else on the recruiting horizon. I say, if we can get both players, do it. The two recruits would have to take a chance on Fox, that he'll be around next year. At the same time, we'd be taking a chance on them. They are juco players and Johnson has a mark on his basketball resume, since he was dismissed from Auburn, allegedly after getting arrested for marijuana possession.
Fox would have a different appeal to make to Glass and Johnson, one that may ultimately be successful. Come to UGA and get back on track. Johnson would readily understand that he'd be on a short lease and would have to toe the line. The big recruiting carrot is that both players would get to suit up with Charles Mann, the point guard that helped Glass, Johnson and Milton High School win the Georgia 5A state championship in 2012.
Glass is a player who can score and rebound. He's not a traditional big power forward, but he's 6' 7" and can put the ball on the floor. In the absence of a true big man recruit, Glass would be perfect. Shaq Johnson is a Travis Leslie clone. 6' 5" and jumps out of the gym. Shoots 70 percent from the line.
Fox got Leslie into the NBA. Tell Johnson that he'll do the same for him.
If we can field a versatile line-up with Kenny Gaines, Juwan Parker and Shaq Johnson as two-guards, Chuck Mann and J.J. Frazier at the point, Brandon Morris and KPG at small forward, and Forte and Glass as power forwards, we'd be exciting to watch. Throw a few lobs to Kenny Gaines and Shaq Johnson and the attendance issue would go away.
Finally, use the resulting line-up to go to a pressure defense for 90 feet. We'll get easier buckets and pick up at least 5 more wins on the season. That performance might be enough for Fox to be retained and for an elite big man recruit to sign on early for next year.
Let's face it, hoops fans. We have missed out on every recruit we tried for this year. Gant ain't and Lee is lee-ning elsewhere (interpreted, Jakeenan Gant is committed to Missouri, and William Lee will likely end up at Alabama). Fisher-Davis picked Vandy, Tadric Jackson chose Tech, Ahmed Hill has apparently turned us down, Turman committed to Tennessee. Guards, forwards, centers. Didn't matter. The answer to the Fox recruiting pitch was "No thanks."
Truly is stunning to me. I have never seen a Georgia coach in any sport go "0-for" in a recruiting season, but that's exactly what Mark Fox has done so far for 2014 players.
Unfortunately, Fox didn't do much better for 2013, either, missing out on every high level recruit, and ending up with what some fans would consider four "diamond in the rough"-types (two 3-star players and two un-ranked guys). Could be good players, but they are not the heralded recruits that our SEC competitors like Florida, Alabama and Kentucky are bringing in.
2012 was better, and Fox managed to attract three 3-star players, Kenny Gaines, Brandon Morris and Charles Mann. Still, Fox missed out on elite big men from the state of Georgia, Tony Parker, Robert Carter, Charles Mitchell, and Shaq Goodwin.
I have posted similar information before, but it bears repeating:
Fox Recruiting Classes
Vincent Williams, 2009
Marcus Thornton, Donte Williams, Sherrard Brantley, 2010
John Florveus, Nemanja Djurisic, Caldwell-Pope, Tim Dixon and John Cannon, 2011
Brandon Morris, Kenny Gaines, Charles Mann, 2012
Kenny Paul Geno, J.J. Frazier, Juwan Parker and Cameron Forte, 2013
Nada, 2014
Said another way, Fox has during his tenure brought in 16 signees, who were given a total of 41 stars according to Rivals.com. That's 2.5 stars per recruit.
In those 5 classes and 16 recruits, only one signee was above 3-stars. Performance on the court generally follows performance in recruiting classes. Of the 16 recruits who have played so far, only one has managed over 8 points per game (KCP). None of the big men Fox has recruited have averaged over 4.5 boards a game. Not surprisingly, Fox has managed 3 losing seasons out of a total of 4. His one winning season was with his predecessor's recruits.
Attendance at UGA hoops games has sagged. Fans want to see an exciting brand of basketball, and the Fox teams have not delivered. According to one source, Georgia has the worst home attendance in the SEC.
How can Fox recover? How can he get a decent recruit for 2014? How can he win games and boost attendance? The answer to these questions, in the author's opinion, may lie at Northwest Florida Junior College.
Why Northwest Florida? Because Tevin Glass and Shaq Johnson are there.
Fox can make a big step forward by bringing in Glass and Johnson. I don't see anybody else on the recruiting horizon. I say, if we can get both players, do it. The two recruits would have to take a chance on Fox, that he'll be around next year. At the same time, we'd be taking a chance on them. They are juco players and Johnson has a mark on his basketball resume, since he was dismissed from Auburn, allegedly after getting arrested for marijuana possession.
Fox would have a different appeal to make to Glass and Johnson, one that may ultimately be successful. Come to UGA and get back on track. Johnson would readily understand that he'd be on a short lease and would have to toe the line. The big recruiting carrot is that both players would get to suit up with Charles Mann, the point guard that helped Glass, Johnson and Milton High School win the Georgia 5A state championship in 2012.
Glass is a player who can score and rebound. He's not a traditional big power forward, but he's 6' 7" and can put the ball on the floor. In the absence of a true big man recruit, Glass would be perfect. Shaq Johnson is a Travis Leslie clone. 6' 5" and jumps out of the gym. Shoots 70 percent from the line.
Fox got Leslie into the NBA. Tell Johnson that he'll do the same for him.
If we can field a versatile line-up with Kenny Gaines, Juwan Parker and Shaq Johnson as two-guards, Chuck Mann and J.J. Frazier at the point, Brandon Morris and KPG at small forward, and Forte and Glass as power forwards, we'd be exciting to watch. Throw a few lobs to Kenny Gaines and Shaq Johnson and the attendance issue would go away.
Finally, use the resulting line-up to go to a pressure defense for 90 feet. We'll get easier buckets and pick up at least 5 more wins on the season. That performance might be enough for Fox to be retained and for an elite big man recruit to sign on early for next year.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
McGarity Wants Improvement
I guess that's why Fox used up his 'ships this year, instead of holding one or two back.
McGarity Expectations
I'll be honest, I don't like using up four scholarships in one year unless you're bringing in a very talented class. Think about it, of the four recruits, most commentators would call them possible contributors. No four-star players. No five-star players. Is that right? Key year for Fox to make headway in recruiting, and we have four players and a total of six total stars among them (average of 1.5)?
I don't want to get too caught up in the math or in the ranking systems of the various web sites. It is possible that Fox has managed to find players who have been overlooked and underranked. But my confidence level has been shaken by 3 out of 4 losing seasons. As I look back at the Fox program of work, the one recruit who was expected to be really talented was, and the guys who were lower ranked and weren't expected to be difference-makers weren't.
My larger concern about the decisions made by Fox has to do with the future of UGA basketball.
Only one scholarship was awarded to a kid from the state of Georgia, and that one was handed out to a small player from a small school in a small town. Kid might be talented out of his mind, given, but don't expect the boosters to stand up and do the wave. Georgia-area high school and AAU coaches won't either.
Coach Fox's recruiting strategy does not set the table for recruiting in coming years. He has almost no scholarships left for 2014, and I would argue that he still has made no inroads with the key guys who can help Fox get 4 and 5-star players in the future. I can't think of a talented recruit in the 2014 or '15 class who is from the same school as the players we're bringing in.
A coach at the flagship university from a state rich in basketball talent which is also located just an hour from Atlanta ought to bring in a fair share of the wealth. If you can't do that, and you must take a chance on a project or a diamond-in-the-rough kind of guy, don't you roll the dice on in-state players?
The logical conclusion to be drawn from this year's recruiting class is that Fox brought in the players he wanted, without much thought to the future. He has to win now. But can these guys perform? There isn't a single low post player in the bunch. That's a head-scratcher, particularly since the obvious need on the roster is a bruiser who can rebound the ball and finish around the basket.
Will the four new guys help in year one? They'd better.
McGarity Expectations
I'll be honest, I don't like using up four scholarships in one year unless you're bringing in a very talented class. Think about it, of the four recruits, most commentators would call them possible contributors. No four-star players. No five-star players. Is that right? Key year for Fox to make headway in recruiting, and we have four players and a total of six total stars among them (average of 1.5)?
I don't want to get too caught up in the math or in the ranking systems of the various web sites. It is possible that Fox has managed to find players who have been overlooked and underranked. But my confidence level has been shaken by 3 out of 4 losing seasons. As I look back at the Fox program of work, the one recruit who was expected to be really talented was, and the guys who were lower ranked and weren't expected to be difference-makers weren't.
My larger concern about the decisions made by Fox has to do with the future of UGA basketball.
Only one scholarship was awarded to a kid from the state of Georgia, and that one was handed out to a small player from a small school in a small town. Kid might be talented out of his mind, given, but don't expect the boosters to stand up and do the wave. Georgia-area high school and AAU coaches won't either.
Coach Fox's recruiting strategy does not set the table for recruiting in coming years. He has almost no scholarships left for 2014, and I would argue that he still has made no inroads with the key guys who can help Fox get 4 and 5-star players in the future. I can't think of a talented recruit in the 2014 or '15 class who is from the same school as the players we're bringing in.
A coach at the flagship university from a state rich in basketball talent which is also located just an hour from Atlanta ought to bring in a fair share of the wealth. If you can't do that, and you must take a chance on a project or a diamond-in-the-rough kind of guy, don't you roll the dice on in-state players?
The logical conclusion to be drawn from this year's recruiting class is that Fox brought in the players he wanted, without much thought to the future. He has to win now. But can these guys perform? There isn't a single low post player in the bunch. That's a head-scratcher, particularly since the obvious need on the roster is a bruiser who can rebound the ball and finish around the basket.
Will the four new guys help in year one? They'd better.
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