Complete game for the Dawgs in the win over Texas A&M. Wow, it sure does feel good to get the W.
Congrats, too, to Coach Fox. He mixed in a little press, gave Kenny Gaines a few more minutes, and kept his guys from letting the game get away late in the second half.
I'm not a Larry Conley fan. Not by a long stretch. But he was right on target in his commentary that Kentavious is probably more valuable to his team than any other player in the SEC. We might have won a couple of games this season without KCP, but just a couple. Kentavious plays great defense, gets the team out on the break, rebounds the ball and this year has really increased his shooting percentage.
I can't think of any shooting guard that Georgia has ever had that brings more to the table than KCP. Kentavious is averaging 17 points and 6 boards a game and shooting a respectable 42 percent from the field. He also gets 2 assists and 2.5 steals per game.
In the last ten years we've had designated three-point shooters like Ricky McPhee who also did pretty well on the defensive end. Gerald Robinson could drive on anybody, but he was more of a second point guard. Corey Butler played some at the two-guard, but he was a defensive ace, rather than a scorer. Billy Humphrey could shoot, but he had hobbled wheels for a portion of his career, and I don't remember him rebounding the ball much.
Levi Stukes was a shooting guard in a point guard's body. Ezra Williams could shoot, but he didn't have much of a mid-range game. Jarvis Hayes was more of a small forward. D.A. Layne could score, but see my description of Levi Stukes above.
You'd have to go back to the era of Shandon and Willie Anderson to find Georgia's last big athletic two-guards, guys who could score, defend and rebound. But even then, the Anderson brothers were more scorers than shooters. If Kentavious is not the best ever UGA two-guard, then he's close. If basketball had a Heisman, KCP would get my vote.
Showing posts with label Levi Stukes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Levi Stukes. Show all posts
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Where is the UGA Basketball Program Headed?
I thought I understood during the Felton years. Seemed like we were building something. We weren't great, mind you, but considering the trash dump of the NCAA investigation and the self-imposed sanctions, at some point during Felton's tenure I was starting to feel good about the program again.
Over his five full seasons, Felton's SEC win loss record was
7 and 9
2 and 14
5 and 11
8 and 8
4 and 12, not counting four wins in SEC Tournament championship run
That next year, Felton was fired after going 9 and 11 overall and 0 and 5 in the SEC. Felton won a total of 26 regular season SEC games. He lost 61. Felton got us to the NCAA's and Dawg fans enjoyed winning the SEC Tournament. Considering what he had to start with, Felton performed admirably, but a 30 percent record in the SEC is not good enough.
Mark Fox came in and his teams went
5 and 11
9 and 7
5 and 11
0 and 3
Of course there's still a lot of basketball to be played this year. But if Fox could somehow match Felton's last full year mark of 4 and 12, that would be a huge accomplishment. I seriously doubt that even if we win 4 games, we would follow that up by winning the SEC Tournament.
Recruiting:
Felton hit the ground with tough issues to face. Coach Harrick could get guys committed, but getting them into school was another matter (ex., Julius Lamptey, Larry Turner, Alexander Johnson, etc.). In his last class, Harrick had a marginal class of signees, all of whom asked to be released when the NCAA investigation hit, and none of whom did anything much in college basketball.
Therefore, when Harrick was fired, Felton had seniors, but no freshmen and just a couple of scholarship sophomores and juniors. Battling scholarship limitations and the clould of NCAA sanctions, Felton beat the bushes, brought in some low-ranked guys and took a chance on some others.
Over time Felton was able to generate some recruiting momentum. Starting with Levi Stukes and Steve Newman, Felton started to hit his stride by bringing in Sundiata Gaines and Dave Bliss. Things got better from there. UGA basketball had some really important misses, too. 5-star recruit Lou Williams went to the NBA instead of suiting up for the Dawgs (a huge, huge loss). Felton rebounded by replacing Williams with Billy Humphrey, a talented shooter, but he had no stand-in when Derrick Favors decided to go to Tech instead of UGA.
By and large, however, Felton brought in some pretty good players-- guards like Sundiata Gaines, Levi Stukes, Mike Mercer, Billy Humphrey, Ricky McPhee, Dustin Ware and Travis Leslie. We got an even better haul of big men: Trey Thompkins, Jeremy Price, Dave Bliss, Takais Brown, Chris Barnes, Ajax.
Wins and Losses
Felton got the team to perform in his first year, going 16 and 14 overall, 7 and 9 in the SEC, and making the NIT. The second year, in which Felton had just seven scholarship players, the overall record was 8 and 20. Note: There was a significant drop-off in year two, the year when a new coach generally lives and dies with his predecessor's players.
Thereafter, however, performance was trending up. The team went from the SEC basement to the top of the SEC tourney field, from NCAA sanctions to the NCAA Tournament. Felton couldn't sustain it, however, and he was fired mid-season. My point is that although we weren't ever great in basketball, we were respectable and reasonably competitive. In five full years under Felton we went to three post-season tournaments (two NIT's and one NCAA).
Comparison to 2013
We're definitely not trending up.
Recruiting
Recruiting is in trouble, in my opinion. I look up and down the roster and wonder, where's the beef? There's no low post scorer. I thought Donte Williams was going to have a great year, but now that he has been slow out of the gate, we don't have anyone who can finish reliably. Nobody with a big butt and good hands. No Trey Thompkins, no Jeremy Price, no Chris Barnes. Not even a troubled but talented guy like Takais Brown.
Hate to say this, but we don't have makers on the perimeter either. A Ricky McPhee, Levi Stukes or Billy Humphrey sure would make a huge difference to this team. KCP is a great all-around player and Vincent Williams had a nice game against Missouri. Maybe the guys coming in next year will help, but it's the combination that we lack. We need a low post guy who can score and a consistent three-point threat when defenses collapse.
Wins and Losses
Fox has an overall winning percentage in the SEC of 37 percent. The high-point for Fox was in year two, in which he had the benefit of Felton's recruits. Now that Fox is in year four with a roster full of his own players, we are definitely struggling. It's hard for me to watch a game and see us barely show up at Florida, and end up losing by 33 points. Our pre-conference record included defeats at home to teams I had hardly ever heard of.
Even counting the extremely challenged 2004/05 team, Felton went 22 and 42 in the SEC in his first four years. Fox will have to go 3 and 10 in the SEC from this point forward just to match Felton's record. Fox can do it, but if your current coach can hardly match the record of the last coach who was fired, that's a bad sign. Especially so when the current coach makes over twice the salary of the last guy.
Where are we headed? I hope Tony Parker comes to town, or we get a big-time JUCO low post scorer somehow for next year. Otherwise, looks like given our downward trajectory, a change is in the wind. 30 percent wasn't good enough in 2009 and it's certainly not good enough now.
Over his five full seasons, Felton's SEC win loss record was
7 and 9
2 and 14
5 and 11
8 and 8
4 and 12, not counting four wins in SEC Tournament championship run
That next year, Felton was fired after going 9 and 11 overall and 0 and 5 in the SEC. Felton won a total of 26 regular season SEC games. He lost 61. Felton got us to the NCAA's and Dawg fans enjoyed winning the SEC Tournament. Considering what he had to start with, Felton performed admirably, but a 30 percent record in the SEC is not good enough.
Mark Fox came in and his teams went
5 and 11
9 and 7
5 and 11
0 and 3
Of course there's still a lot of basketball to be played this year. But if Fox could somehow match Felton's last full year mark of 4 and 12, that would be a huge accomplishment. I seriously doubt that even if we win 4 games, we would follow that up by winning the SEC Tournament.
Recruiting:
Felton hit the ground with tough issues to face. Coach Harrick could get guys committed, but getting them into school was another matter (ex., Julius Lamptey, Larry Turner, Alexander Johnson, etc.). In his last class, Harrick had a marginal class of signees, all of whom asked to be released when the NCAA investigation hit, and none of whom did anything much in college basketball.
Therefore, when Harrick was fired, Felton had seniors, but no freshmen and just a couple of scholarship sophomores and juniors. Battling scholarship limitations and the clould of NCAA sanctions, Felton beat the bushes, brought in some low-ranked guys and took a chance on some others.
Over time Felton was able to generate some recruiting momentum. Starting with Levi Stukes and Steve Newman, Felton started to hit his stride by bringing in Sundiata Gaines and Dave Bliss. Things got better from there. UGA basketball had some really important misses, too. 5-star recruit Lou Williams went to the NBA instead of suiting up for the Dawgs (a huge, huge loss). Felton rebounded by replacing Williams with Billy Humphrey, a talented shooter, but he had no stand-in when Derrick Favors decided to go to Tech instead of UGA.
By and large, however, Felton brought in some pretty good players-- guards like Sundiata Gaines, Levi Stukes, Mike Mercer, Billy Humphrey, Ricky McPhee, Dustin Ware and Travis Leslie. We got an even better haul of big men: Trey Thompkins, Jeremy Price, Dave Bliss, Takais Brown, Chris Barnes, Ajax.
Wins and Losses
Felton got the team to perform in his first year, going 16 and 14 overall, 7 and 9 in the SEC, and making the NIT. The second year, in which Felton had just seven scholarship players, the overall record was 8 and 20. Note: There was a significant drop-off in year two, the year when a new coach generally lives and dies with his predecessor's players.
Thereafter, however, performance was trending up. The team went from the SEC basement to the top of the SEC tourney field, from NCAA sanctions to the NCAA Tournament. Felton couldn't sustain it, however, and he was fired mid-season. My point is that although we weren't ever great in basketball, we were respectable and reasonably competitive. In five full years under Felton we went to three post-season tournaments (two NIT's and one NCAA).
Comparison to 2013
We're definitely not trending up.
Recruiting
Recruiting is in trouble, in my opinion. I look up and down the roster and wonder, where's the beef? There's no low post scorer. I thought Donte Williams was going to have a great year, but now that he has been slow out of the gate, we don't have anyone who can finish reliably. Nobody with a big butt and good hands. No Trey Thompkins, no Jeremy Price, no Chris Barnes. Not even a troubled but talented guy like Takais Brown.
Hate to say this, but we don't have makers on the perimeter either. A Ricky McPhee, Levi Stukes or Billy Humphrey sure would make a huge difference to this team. KCP is a great all-around player and Vincent Williams had a nice game against Missouri. Maybe the guys coming in next year will help, but it's the combination that we lack. We need a low post guy who can score and a consistent three-point threat when defenses collapse.
Wins and Losses
Fox has an overall winning percentage in the SEC of 37 percent. The high-point for Fox was in year two, in which he had the benefit of Felton's recruits. Now that Fox is in year four with a roster full of his own players, we are definitely struggling. It's hard for me to watch a game and see us barely show up at Florida, and end up losing by 33 points. Our pre-conference record included defeats at home to teams I had hardly ever heard of.
Even counting the extremely challenged 2004/05 team, Felton went 22 and 42 in the SEC in his first four years. Fox will have to go 3 and 10 in the SEC from this point forward just to match Felton's record. Fox can do it, but if your current coach can hardly match the record of the last coach who was fired, that's a bad sign. Especially so when the current coach makes over twice the salary of the last guy.
Where are we headed? I hope Tony Parker comes to town, or we get a big-time JUCO low post scorer somehow for next year. Otherwise, looks like given our downward trajectory, a change is in the wind. 30 percent wasn't good enough in 2009 and it's certainly not good enough now.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Levi Stukes with the Hot Hand
He scored 17 in the latest game against Regatas. Stukes' team, Argentino, went cold in the second half and lost.
Levi had a game earlier this month in which he scored 28. I'll try to get around to updating the results from his games more regularly.
Levi had a game earlier this month in which he scored 28. I'll try to get around to updating the results from his games more regularly.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Stukes Scores Big in Argentina
Playing in his first game for the Quilmes Athletic Club, Levi Stukes tried to lead his team to victory. Stukes scored 24 points with 6 assists in his debut.
The opposing team, Sionista de Parana, edged Quilmes, however, winning by a score of 76 to 75. Stukes had the ball with 17 seconds to go, but he was not able to break free from the defense.
Sounds like Levi will be able to help Quilmes this year. I'll continue to follow his progress.
The opposing team, Sionista de Parana, edged Quilmes, however, winning by a score of 76 to 75. Stukes had the ball with 17 seconds to go, but he was not able to break free from the defense.
Sounds like Levi will be able to help Quilmes this year. I'll continue to follow his progress.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Levi Stukes to Argentina
Levi Stukes was recently signed to play in Argentina. He will be suiting up with the Quilmes Athletic Club.
Quilmes is a city of about 500,000, located 10 miles outside of Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Stukes should not have a difficult adjustment to life in Quilmes, since he played previously in Montevideo, Uruguay. Montevideo and Buenos Aires are located on opposite sides of the inlet that separates Argentina from Uruguay, and the two cities are roughly about a half-hour flight from each other. Stukes has also played briefly in Venezuela.
Congrats, Levi!
Note: For more information on Stukes' basketball career, just click on his name, which is in hypertext just beneath this post.
Quilmes is a city of about 500,000, located 10 miles outside of Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Stukes should not have a difficult adjustment to life in Quilmes, since he played previously in Montevideo, Uruguay. Montevideo and Buenos Aires are located on opposite sides of the inlet that separates Argentina from Uruguay, and the two cities are roughly about a half-hour flight from each other. Stukes has also played briefly in Venezuela.
Congrats, Levi!
Note: For more information on Stukes' basketball career, just click on his name, which is in hypertext just beneath this post.
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.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Levi Stukes to Guayana Gigantes
After spending time down in Montevideo, Uruguay, Levi Stukes is in a new locale.
Stukes has landed in Guayana, Venezuela, and is playing for the Guayana Gigantes. Guayana is in the eastern region of Venezuela, and is a city of about 1 million people.
Stukes immediately broke into the starting line-up, and scored 13 points in his last game, a 79 to 73 win over La Guira.
Levi has fashioned for himself a good international career. More later.
Stukes has landed in Guayana, Venezuela, and is playing for the Guayana Gigantes. Guayana is in the eastern region of Venezuela, and is a city of about 1 million people.
Stukes immediately broke into the starting line-up, and scored 13 points in his last game, a 79 to 73 win over La Guira.
Levi has fashioned for himself a good international career. More later.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Levi Stukes Scores 31
Trouville won a game in overtime against Tabare. Stukes scored 31 points for the victor.
Although the final score was 95 to 86, a comfortable 9-point margin, Trouville was all but done for at the end of regulation. With just nine-tenths of a second left in the game, Trouville was called for a foul, and Tabare's Adrian Laborda went to the line to shoot two.
Amazingly, Laborda missed both free throw shots. Trouville was able to close the game with 19 points in just the final 5 minute overtime period and Stukes and his team escaped with the victory.
Although the final score was 95 to 86, a comfortable 9-point margin, Trouville was all but done for at the end of regulation. With just nine-tenths of a second left in the game, Trouville was called for a foul, and Tabare's Adrian Laborda went to the line to shoot two.
Amazingly, Laborda missed both free throw shots. Trouville was able to close the game with 19 points in just the final 5 minute overtime period and Stukes and his team escaped with the victory.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Trouville is still alive in Playoffs
Levi Stukes is playing for Trouville, down in the Uruguayan League.
On an interesting note, Trouville had a game actually stopped on December 1, due to fan violence. Trouville played against Hebraica, and the police shut the game down with 2 minutes to go.
The game started off well, with lots of scoring and an up-tempo contest. However, a number of fouls were called and the game started to bog down. Hebraica was up by 14, 78 to 64, and then the Hebraica players and bench were called for technical fouls. Stukes shot 7 free throws and helped pull Trouville within 2 points. Thereafter, violence started to break out, and the police stopped the game. Due to the suspension, Hebraica won 85 to 82.
After that eventful game, Trouville got blasted by 49 points in a game against Defensor. However, Trouville bounced back with an 82 to 77 victory over Malvin, and the latest news reveals that they are still alive in the playoffs.
On an interesting note, Trouville had a game actually stopped on December 1, due to fan violence. Trouville played against Hebraica, and the police shut the game down with 2 minutes to go.
The game started off well, with lots of scoring and an up-tempo contest. However, a number of fouls were called and the game started to bog down. Hebraica was up by 14, 78 to 64, and then the Hebraica players and bench were called for technical fouls. Stukes shot 7 free throws and helped pull Trouville within 2 points. Thereafter, violence started to break out, and the police stopped the game. Due to the suspension, Hebraica won 85 to 82.
After that eventful game, Trouville got blasted by 49 points in a game against Defensor. However, Trouville bounced back with an 82 to 77 victory over Malvin, and the latest news reveals that they are still alive in the playoffs.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Levi Stukes to Compete in
Three-point shooting contest.
Uruguay's basketball league will have their version of the Final Four this week. Four professional teams are playing in a tournament to see which squad will represent the country in international competition which will take place in Argentina in December.
As part of the competition, Levi Stukes is going up against 5 other players to see who is the best 3-point marksman.
Good luck, Levi!
Uruguay's basketball league will have their version of the Final Four this week. Four professional teams are playing in a tournament to see which squad will represent the country in international competition which will take place in Argentina in December.
As part of the competition, Levi Stukes is going up against 5 other players to see who is the best 3-point marksman.
Good luck, Levi!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Levi Stukes scores 27
His team, Trouville, beats Defensor Sporting, 99 to 87, on Tuesday night.
Stukes has continued his hot hand. As reported earlier, his scoring average has stayed around 30 points per game.
Stukes has continued his hot hand. As reported earlier, his scoring average has stayed around 30 points per game.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Levi Stukes Lighting Up the Uruguayan League
Levi Stukes has been going on a scoring tear down in South America.
I had just recorded a few days ago that Stukes recorded a game of 35 points, which pushed his average up toward 30 points per game. Now in a more recent outing, Stukes went for 42.
Stukes scored the points against Bigua. However, Trouville, Levi's team, was not able to capitalize on it, and Bigua won by a score of 89 to 87.
I had just recorded a few days ago that Stukes recorded a game of 35 points, which pushed his average up toward 30 points per game. Now in a more recent outing, Stukes went for 42.
Stukes scored the points against Bigua. However, Trouville, Levi's team, was not able to capitalize on it, and Bigua won by a score of 89 to 87.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Levi Stukes goes for 35
to lead his team, Trouville, against Union Atletica. However, Union Atletica took advantage of four missed free throws, two of those misses by Stukes, and won the game.
Levi is averaging almost 30 points per game this season in Uruguay.
Levi is averaging almost 30 points per game this season in Uruguay.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Levi Stukes Playing in Uruguay
Levi Jamal Stukes was born on November 18, 1984. Stukes came up enjoying the game of basketball, and though he topped out at 6' 2", Stukes became a prolific scorer at the shooting guard position.
During his sophomore year at Randallstown High in Randallstown, Maryland, Stukes averaged 17 points per game. The next year, Stukes increased his average to 28 points per game, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Stukes scored 24 pts, with 7 boards and 7 assists, his senior year. Stukes was a two-time All Metro selection for the Baltimore area, and was twice named the Baltimore County Player of The Year.
In 2003, newly hired Georgia coach Dennis Felton came aboard after former coach, Jim Harrick, resigned. Although Harrick had a signing class already in place (Cassiano Matheus, Jordan Howell, Mohammed Abukar, and Marcus Jackson), due to the change in leadership, Felton allowed these players to receive a release from their signatures with Georgia.
Felton worked quickly to get a new group signed. He brought on Marcus Sykes, Steve Newman, Corey Gibbs and Levi Stukes. Felton spotted Stukes playing in the AAU circuit, and he made a scholarship offer to Stukes. Stukes chose Georgia, in part because of the amount of playing time available.
Stukes played well enough in practice to be named the lone freshman (with 4 seniors) on Georgia's 2003/2004 starting five. During that year, Stukes did well, and Georgia upset University of Kentucky twice during the regular season, and beat then #3 ranked Georgia Tech.
The next year was difficult for Stukes and the University of Georgia basketball team. Because of the lack of players that had been admitted to school during Harrick's recruiting classes, Georgia had 4 sophomores and 7 freshmen on the roster, but only 4 of the freshmen were scholarship players. Georgia ended up going 8 and 20 for the 2004/2005 athletic year.
Stukes continued to play well, however. As Georgia built its roster, Stukes played with defensive intensity and honed his three-point shooting. Stukes ended his career with Georgia as the all-time leader in 3-pts made (261) and attempted (683), and was the 12th all-time in scoring, with 1,383 points.
Stukes is playing now in the professional league in Uruguay. He signed with Club Trouville in July of 2008. Stukes has continued his scoring tendencies, putting in 24 points in Trouville's last game.
Dawg fans wish Stukes much success in his professional career.
During his sophomore year at Randallstown High in Randallstown, Maryland, Stukes averaged 17 points per game. The next year, Stukes increased his average to 28 points per game, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Stukes scored 24 pts, with 7 boards and 7 assists, his senior year. Stukes was a two-time All Metro selection for the Baltimore area, and was twice named the Baltimore County Player of The Year.
In 2003, newly hired Georgia coach Dennis Felton came aboard after former coach, Jim Harrick, resigned. Although Harrick had a signing class already in place (Cassiano Matheus, Jordan Howell, Mohammed Abukar, and Marcus Jackson), due to the change in leadership, Felton allowed these players to receive a release from their signatures with Georgia.
Felton worked quickly to get a new group signed. He brought on Marcus Sykes, Steve Newman, Corey Gibbs and Levi Stukes. Felton spotted Stukes playing in the AAU circuit, and he made a scholarship offer to Stukes. Stukes chose Georgia, in part because of the amount of playing time available.
Stukes played well enough in practice to be named the lone freshman (with 4 seniors) on Georgia's 2003/2004 starting five. During that year, Stukes did well, and Georgia upset University of Kentucky twice during the regular season, and beat then #3 ranked Georgia Tech.
The next year was difficult for Stukes and the University of Georgia basketball team. Because of the lack of players that had been admitted to school during Harrick's recruiting classes, Georgia had 4 sophomores and 7 freshmen on the roster, but only 4 of the freshmen were scholarship players. Georgia ended up going 8 and 20 for the 2004/2005 athletic year.
Stukes continued to play well, however. As Georgia built its roster, Stukes played with defensive intensity and honed his three-point shooting. Stukes ended his career with Georgia as the all-time leader in 3-pts made (261) and attempted (683), and was the 12th all-time in scoring, with 1,383 points.
Stukes is playing now in the professional league in Uruguay. He signed with Club Trouville in July of 2008. Stukes has continued his scoring tendencies, putting in 24 points in Trouville's last game.
Dawg fans wish Stukes much success in his professional career.
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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