Mike Mercer has landed in Australia. He's been signed by the Geelong Supercats of the Australian Basketball Association.
Mercer's new home, Geelong, is located about 50 miles southwest of Melbourne. Geelong is the second-largest city in the state of Victoria, lying at the southern tip of Australia just across from the island of Tasmania. The nick-name "Supercat" comes from the large aluminum-hulled catamaran ships produced in the region.
Good to see that Mercer is married (wife Adreana) and has a son (MJ).
Ironically, Mike is now playing close to Melbourne, the home of his old roommate, Kevin Brophy, who passed away in a tragic car accident almost seven years ago. Dawgs hoops players Steven Newman and Terrance Woodbury also played in Australia.
Note: For more information on the careers of any of the above players, just click on their names in the blue hypertext below.
Mike was brought in by the Supercats after their existing two-guard, Kimmani Barrett (formerly of Lasalle University), went down with a knee injury. For his part, Mercer's knees have been holding up during stints in China and Canada, so if he can stay healthy he might be able to stick with his new team Down Under.
Mercer and family
Showing posts with label Kevin Brophy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kevin Brophy. Show all posts
Friday, February 22, 2013
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Terrance Woodbury to Australia
UGA grad Terrance Woodbury will shortly be playing high stakes hoops. Literally.
He was picked up recently in the overseas draft for the High Stakes Hoops tournament to be played in Australia. The tournament will last from April 6-11. Woodbury will be playing for the Cyclones.
High Stakes Hoops is designed to spark interest in basketball for the Australian public. The tournament is not officially sanctioned by the National Basketball League (NBL) of Australia, but it is expected that a number of college and former NBL players will participate in the event.
The rules for the tournament will be different than the American brand of basketball. Besides the normal international rules, the tournament will give a $250,000 grand prize to the team that wins it all.
Teams will get extra bonuses for winning a quarter, which is expected to make each period in the game highly contested. Coaches can designate a period in which three-point shots count for 4 points. So if a player is fouled during this time, it is possible that he can make a 5-point play. This rule is similar to the power play in Australian cricket.
Steve Newman reportedly enjoyed his time playing in Australia, so I imagine that the tournament should be fun for Terrance. It's a big country, and he probably won't have a lot of free time, but perhaps Woodbury will be able to get to see Kevin Brophy's family.
Should be fun. Safe travel, Terrance, and represent the Dawgs well!
He was picked up recently in the overseas draft for the High Stakes Hoops tournament to be played in Australia. The tournament will last from April 6-11. Woodbury will be playing for the Cyclones.
High Stakes Hoops is designed to spark interest in basketball for the Australian public. The tournament is not officially sanctioned by the National Basketball League (NBL) of Australia, but it is expected that a number of college and former NBL players will participate in the event.
The rules for the tournament will be different than the American brand of basketball. Besides the normal international rules, the tournament will give a $250,000 grand prize to the team that wins it all.
Teams will get extra bonuses for winning a quarter, which is expected to make each period in the game highly contested. Coaches can designate a period in which three-point shots count for 4 points. So if a player is fouled during this time, it is possible that he can make a 5-point play. This rule is similar to the power play in Australian cricket.
Steve Newman reportedly enjoyed his time playing in Australia, so I imagine that the tournament should be fun for Terrance. It's a big country, and he probably won't have a lot of free time, but perhaps Woodbury will be able to get to see Kevin Brophy's family.
Should be fun. Safe travel, Terrance, and represent the Dawgs well!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Changing the Persona of the Dawgs: Five Keys
I like the premise of the article in the Red and Black. One way or another, Georgia basketball needs to get over the hump. We need to be a perennial winner, instead of a team that struggles to escape the cellar of the SEC East.
It can be done.
If a few things go our way, Fox can turn things around. However, I don't think that citing the win by Fox in 2004 does anything to make the writer's case.
Nevada did not play well against UGA. Georgia's 2004 squad was the team that was pretty much cobbled together during Felton's second year. I don't know how to say this without sounding unfair to our former players, but the fact remains that in 2004 we featured Younes Idrissi, a hobbled Dave Bliss, seriously injured Corey Gibbs, Levi Stukes and the freshman Sundiata Gaines. Kevin Brophy and Buzz Wehunt were key guys off the bench. That team played hard, but they did well to go 8 and 20 on the year.
Against Nevada, Georgia shot 17% from the field during the first half, and still was within ten points at the break. Nevada won the game by single digits.
Instead of looking back for inspiration, Fox and UGA fans should see our potential and seek to exploit it in the near future. Georgia is much, much more talented than it was in 2004.
Fox has inherited a team with SEC-quality players. Travis Leslie is one of the best athletes in the conference. Jackson, Price and Barnes will provide bulk in the post. Ware can and will play well at the point. Thompkins is highly skilled.
Here's what needs to happen for Fox to give UGA basketball a make-over.
1. Focus on the fundamentals
The article is right in that Georgia needs to cut down on turnovers. Not sure how that will happen with just one point guard with any experience, but if UGA can decrease turnovers, box out for rebounds, defend reasonably well, and hit free throws, we can steal a few games.
2. Install and execute the offense
I was discouraged by the lack of plays that Felton's team seemed to run. His teams did not have the skill to succeed in a motion offense. Most of the time, it seemed that Sundiata Gaines was the only player who could beat his guy off the bounce. Therefore, instead of having multiple players executing drives to the bucket (like Memphis did under Coach Calipari), Georgia always seemed to stagnate offensively until the end of the shot clock and Gaines was forced to try to create something on the fly.
The point is that given the fact that Fox has decent athletes, Georgia already has the nucleus for a successful year. If Fox can teach the triangle offense and really get the team to run it well, then guys like Thompkins and Leslie should be able to put points up on the board, and UGA can win some of the close games that the team lost in the past.
3. All hands on deck
Albert Jackson has an injury, but the word is that he will be able to play either this week or very soon. Ebuka Anyaorah is coming off of surgery on his shins last year.
We'll need some good luck to avoid any future injuries, but we'll also have to have discipline so that no players will be lost due to academic suspension.
4. Find a Scorer on the Wing
Georgia lost Terrance Woodbury to graduation. Do we have anyone on the roster that can shoot the ball from deep or drive it to the basket? I'm hoping that person is Ebuka Anyaorah or Drazen Zlovaric, but Fox needs to find somebody.
5. Recruit like crazy
We lost out on some Georgia-based talent for the class of 2010, like Kevin Ware, Trae Golden, Shawn Kemp, Rion Brown, and Jason Morris. My hope is that Fox and his staff will be able to rebound with 1 or 2 other 2010 signees, particularly, Jalen Kendrick.
If we get a couple of key guys for 2010, and Fox brings in a banner class for 2011, Georgia will have a roster that can do some serious damage in the SEC.
Our persona will change if Georgia is competitive in 2009, and if we can move the program forward in recruiting.
It can be done.
If a few things go our way, Fox can turn things around. However, I don't think that citing the win by Fox in 2004 does anything to make the writer's case.
Nevada did not play well against UGA. Georgia's 2004 squad was the team that was pretty much cobbled together during Felton's second year. I don't know how to say this without sounding unfair to our former players, but the fact remains that in 2004 we featured Younes Idrissi, a hobbled Dave Bliss, seriously injured Corey Gibbs, Levi Stukes and the freshman Sundiata Gaines. Kevin Brophy and Buzz Wehunt were key guys off the bench. That team played hard, but they did well to go 8 and 20 on the year.
Against Nevada, Georgia shot 17% from the field during the first half, and still was within ten points at the break. Nevada won the game by single digits.
Instead of looking back for inspiration, Fox and UGA fans should see our potential and seek to exploit it in the near future. Georgia is much, much more talented than it was in 2004.
Fox has inherited a team with SEC-quality players. Travis Leslie is one of the best athletes in the conference. Jackson, Price and Barnes will provide bulk in the post. Ware can and will play well at the point. Thompkins is highly skilled.
Here's what needs to happen for Fox to give UGA basketball a make-over.
1. Focus on the fundamentals
The article is right in that Georgia needs to cut down on turnovers. Not sure how that will happen with just one point guard with any experience, but if UGA can decrease turnovers, box out for rebounds, defend reasonably well, and hit free throws, we can steal a few games.
2. Install and execute the offense
I was discouraged by the lack of plays that Felton's team seemed to run. His teams did not have the skill to succeed in a motion offense. Most of the time, it seemed that Sundiata Gaines was the only player who could beat his guy off the bounce. Therefore, instead of having multiple players executing drives to the bucket (like Memphis did under Coach Calipari), Georgia always seemed to stagnate offensively until the end of the shot clock and Gaines was forced to try to create something on the fly.
The point is that given the fact that Fox has decent athletes, Georgia already has the nucleus for a successful year. If Fox can teach the triangle offense and really get the team to run it well, then guys like Thompkins and Leslie should be able to put points up on the board, and UGA can win some of the close games that the team lost in the past.
3. All hands on deck
Albert Jackson has an injury, but the word is that he will be able to play either this week or very soon. Ebuka Anyaorah is coming off of surgery on his shins last year.
We'll need some good luck to avoid any future injuries, but we'll also have to have discipline so that no players will be lost due to academic suspension.
4. Find a Scorer on the Wing
Georgia lost Terrance Woodbury to graduation. Do we have anyone on the roster that can shoot the ball from deep or drive it to the basket? I'm hoping that person is Ebuka Anyaorah or Drazen Zlovaric, but Fox needs to find somebody.
5. Recruit like crazy
We lost out on some Georgia-based talent for the class of 2010, like Kevin Ware, Trae Golden, Shawn Kemp, Rion Brown, and Jason Morris. My hope is that Fox and his staff will be able to rebound with 1 or 2 other 2010 signees, particularly, Jalen Kendrick.
If we get a couple of key guys for 2010, and Fox brings in a banner class for 2011, Georgia will have a roster that can do some serious damage in the SEC.
Our persona will change if Georgia is competitive in 2009, and if we can move the program forward in recruiting.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Kevin Brophy
Passed away three years ago today in a tragic car accident.
Seems like longer, because so much has happened at UGA since that time.
Remembered with admiration for his hustle, love for UGA, and his contributions to Georgia basketball.
Kevin Brophy, 1985-2006.
Seems like longer, because so much has happened at UGA since that time.
Remembered with admiration for his hustle, love for UGA, and his contributions to Georgia basketball.
Kevin Brophy, 1985-2006.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Second Annual Kevin Brophy Memorial Tournament
The second annual Kevin Brophy Memorial Tournament was played in Savannah last month.
Kevin Brophy was an exchange student who walked on to the UGA basketball team. He was killed in a car accident on Thursday, July 20, 2006.
The University of Georgia set up a Kevin Brophy Memorial Scholarship, and the Kevin Brophy Memorial Tournament is played every year in Savannah, where Kevin Brophy went to high school.
Kevin Brophy was an exchange student who walked on to the UGA basketball team. He was killed in a car accident on Thursday, July 20, 2006.
The University of Georgia set up a Kevin Brophy Memorial Scholarship, and the Kevin Brophy Memorial Tournament is played every year in Savannah, where Kevin Brophy went to high school.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Final Results of the "Favorite Felton-Era Buzzer Beater" Poll
Well, the deadline for participating in the poll ran out. I had extended it already once, since this was just the second poll I've done, and I figured that it would be good to let the word get out about the Blog. But after a couple of days had passed and voting slowed down to barely a trickle, I thought it was time to allow the buzzer to sound on the poll itself.
I took the poll down today, but I wanted to record the results and make a few comments of my own.
Poll Results
There were 28 votes altogether, and Zac Swansey's shot to beat Kentucky took top place with 12 votes (42%).
There was a tie for second, between Steve Newman's long distance shot to beat Arkansas at Arkansas, and the three from Levi Stukes against LSU in the "Do it for Broph" game. Each got 6 votes (21%).
Levi Stukes's shot to beat South Carolina got 3 votes (10%).
And coming in last place, but very significant nonetheless, was the Bliss bankshot to win the first game of the SEC Tournament, Georgia over Ole Miss (3%).
Thoughts
We have had some moments of a lot of joy, haven't we? It was a great run, from the times of not having enough players to even practice, to building up little by little. Sure, we had our share of setbacks along the way. Just when we were on the cusp, it seemed like something else would happen to throw a wrench in things and dampen our spirits. Our highest profile recruit went to the pro's. We've had injuries to key players, sudden decisions to transfer, academic suspensions, law enforcement issues, and dismissals. We've known the tragedy of losing a student athlete, and the pride of honoring his memory.
"Snake-bit," some might call Georgia's program. And try as we might, it was hard to disagree. The cards did seem to be stacked against us, as if fate itself resisted Georgia in our efforts to build a successful basketball program.
But ah, the buzzer beaters. The buzzer beaters were "atta-boys" to give us hope along the way. Although it's true that there are some things that cannot be changed, the buzzer beaters were noisy reminders of another truth: Fate cannot trump our individual and collective efforts, the hard work of a team. Not in basketball. And not in life.
Each time the improbable happened, each time that Georgia stuck around long enough to win at the final horn, we started to change our opinion. Slowly at first, perhaps. But after a few giddy hugs and high fives, a quiet confidence emerged. We sensed that Georgia could do it. We can cobble together a team of gritty competitors. We can win. We can make our mark in the SEC. And in the most unlikely of ways, in the most unusual of times, when not just Fate, but Mother Nature, opposing teams and SEC Officials' decisions seemed to team up against us, Georgia went on a remarkable run to claim the SEC Tournament Championship.
So voting for one buzzer beater, when all were important, was difficult for me. In the end, the Zac Swansey 3-pointer got my vote. UGA so rarely beats UK that I had to acknowledge it. Bunch of 3-stars beating a team of 5-stars, especially after Gaines had fouled out? Unlikely as a tightly defended last second 360 degree three-pointer. Great moment seeing Swansey walk off the court with his fist raised. That, and the photograph of those three Kentucky fans who registered their shock with wide eyes and covered mouths.
The Bliss buzzer beater was an incredible moment- the court-length drive by Corey Butler, the beautiful bounce pass, and the "get it up quick as you can barely over the rim" bankshot by Dave Bliss. The aftermath was my favorite Jeremy Jacob memory. Even though he was still on medical redshirt, Jacob had enough hops in his stress fracture-repaired legs to leap up on the back of Dave Bliss for an impromptu piggy-back ride. Dave Bliss' shot started Georgia's run to last year's championship in the SEC Tournament.
The Steve Newman jumper was special, if for no other reason because of Scott Howard's "holy schmokes" call that accompanied it. It also cemented Newman's place in UGA's basketball special moments.
And the Kevin Brophy-related shots by Levi Stukes. The first, to beat South Carolina, with Brophy and Stukes at the bottom of a pile of Dawgs players, celebrating the moment. The second, without Brophy on the floor, but everywhere in the memories of the team and of the fans. How special was it for UGA to "Do it for Broph" over LSU with Kevin Brophy's family in the audience?
We've had tragedy, joy, disappointments, hope-restoring buzzer beaters, even a tornado and a true "two-a-day."
And we have an SEC Tournament Championship.
Snake-bit? Nah. We're tenacious. We're competitors. We're overcomers. We're champions.
Go Dawgs!
I took the poll down today, but I wanted to record the results and make a few comments of my own.
Poll Results
There were 28 votes altogether, and Zac Swansey's shot to beat Kentucky took top place with 12 votes (42%).
There was a tie for second, between Steve Newman's long distance shot to beat Arkansas at Arkansas, and the three from Levi Stukes against LSU in the "Do it for Broph" game. Each got 6 votes (21%).
Levi Stukes's shot to beat South Carolina got 3 votes (10%).
And coming in last place, but very significant nonetheless, was the Bliss bankshot to win the first game of the SEC Tournament, Georgia over Ole Miss (3%).
Thoughts
We have had some moments of a lot of joy, haven't we? It was a great run, from the times of not having enough players to even practice, to building up little by little. Sure, we had our share of setbacks along the way. Just when we were on the cusp, it seemed like something else would happen to throw a wrench in things and dampen our spirits. Our highest profile recruit went to the pro's. We've had injuries to key players, sudden decisions to transfer, academic suspensions, law enforcement issues, and dismissals. We've known the tragedy of losing a student athlete, and the pride of honoring his memory.
"Snake-bit," some might call Georgia's program. And try as we might, it was hard to disagree. The cards did seem to be stacked against us, as if fate itself resisted Georgia in our efforts to build a successful basketball program.
But ah, the buzzer beaters. The buzzer beaters were "atta-boys" to give us hope along the way. Although it's true that there are some things that cannot be changed, the buzzer beaters were noisy reminders of another truth: Fate cannot trump our individual and collective efforts, the hard work of a team. Not in basketball. And not in life.
Each time the improbable happened, each time that Georgia stuck around long enough to win at the final horn, we started to change our opinion. Slowly at first, perhaps. But after a few giddy hugs and high fives, a quiet confidence emerged. We sensed that Georgia could do it. We can cobble together a team of gritty competitors. We can win. We can make our mark in the SEC. And in the most unlikely of ways, in the most unusual of times, when not just Fate, but Mother Nature, opposing teams and SEC Officials' decisions seemed to team up against us, Georgia went on a remarkable run to claim the SEC Tournament Championship.
So voting for one buzzer beater, when all were important, was difficult for me. In the end, the Zac Swansey 3-pointer got my vote. UGA so rarely beats UK that I had to acknowledge it. Bunch of 3-stars beating a team of 5-stars, especially after Gaines had fouled out? Unlikely as a tightly defended last second 360 degree three-pointer. Great moment seeing Swansey walk off the court with his fist raised. That, and the photograph of those three Kentucky fans who registered their shock with wide eyes and covered mouths.
The Bliss buzzer beater was an incredible moment- the court-length drive by Corey Butler, the beautiful bounce pass, and the "get it up quick as you can barely over the rim" bankshot by Dave Bliss. The aftermath was my favorite Jeremy Jacob memory. Even though he was still on medical redshirt, Jacob had enough hops in his stress fracture-repaired legs to leap up on the back of Dave Bliss for an impromptu piggy-back ride. Dave Bliss' shot started Georgia's run to last year's championship in the SEC Tournament.
The Steve Newman jumper was special, if for no other reason because of Scott Howard's "holy schmokes" call that accompanied it. It also cemented Newman's place in UGA's basketball special moments.
And the Kevin Brophy-related shots by Levi Stukes. The first, to beat South Carolina, with Brophy and Stukes at the bottom of a pile of Dawgs players, celebrating the moment. The second, without Brophy on the floor, but everywhere in the memories of the team and of the fans. How special was it for UGA to "Do it for Broph" over LSU with Kevin Brophy's family in the audience?
We've had tragedy, joy, disappointments, hope-restoring buzzer beaters, even a tornado and a true "two-a-day."
And we have an SEC Tournament Championship.
Snake-bit? Nah. We're tenacious. We're competitors. We're overcomers. We're champions.
Go Dawgs!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Links to help with the New Poll
Not the best links, but these might assist if you want to review before voting.
1. Dave Bliss and Fred Flintstone-style bankshot
http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/031408/mensbb_2008031400132.shtml
2. Zac Swansey's Spinning Three-Pointer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y9xOZ5l7mg&feature=related
3. Steve Newman's "Holy Schmokes" Three-Pointer to beat Arkansas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaFwMMUGmbo&feature=related
4. UGA vs. LSU and Glen "Big Baby" Davis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpE3MAJtNhw
1. Dave Bliss and Fred Flintstone-style bankshot
http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/031408/mensbb_2008031400132.shtml
2. Zac Swansey's Spinning Three-Pointer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y9xOZ5l7mg&feature=related
3. Steve Newman's "Holy Schmokes" Three-Pointer to beat Arkansas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaFwMMUGmbo&feature=related
4. UGA vs. LSU and Glen "Big Baby" Davis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpE3MAJtNhw
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