Once again, I missed the game, but for the first time this season, I got a prediction right. What is that they say about a blind squirrel? Ha!
Congratulations to Coach Fox, KCP and Kenny Gaines. I understand that Charles Mann had a fantastic game. He didn't shoot the ball well from the field, going 3 of 9, but he had 8 assists against 0 turnovers, nailed his free throws, and shut down the other guy. That's what you want a point guard to do.
I still believe that Mann will be one of UGA's best ever point guards by the time he leaves the program.
Jordan McRae was unconscious. Dude had 35 points on 10 of 15 shooting overall, 8 of 11 from behind the arc and 7 of 7 from the line. We couldn't stop him, but we limited Stokes' touches and ultimately did enough to get the win.
Can we win these next two? I'm still waiting on Brandon Morris to have a huge outing. He can get us 16 and 9. When he gets confident, look out. Maybe it'll happen against Kentucky.
I'm seriously going out on a limb here, but without Nerlens Noel, UK can be had. Dawgs in a shocker over the Cats.
Showing posts with label UT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UT. Show all posts
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Friday, March 1, 2013
Dawgs to Face Tennessee
Tennessee is playing pretty well right now, having rattled off 6 victories in a row since they lost to us in Knoxville. They're now 17 and 10 on the year. UT beat Florida in their last game, so now is not the best time to be facing the Volunteers. At least we'll have home-court advantage.
We'll likely have a hard time handling Stokes down in the post. Big guy, good hands. He's 6' 8" and 270 pounds-- the kind of build that Mark Fox dislikes. I wish Fox would recruit some of the football-player types. Nothing against any of our guys, but tall and skinny doesn't work out too well in the SEC. Not unless you have a lot of quickness and can hit the outside shot. Our returning post players need to be seriously hitting the weights during the off-season.
In the meantime, let's play hard today, double-team Stokes and make his touches difficult. He had 16 points and 11 boards against us on 4 of 6 shooting in our last contest.
Jordan McRae is definitely coming on. He had 27, 23 and 34 points in his last three games. Anybody know if we tried to recruit him? McRae is a 6' 5" player with a good jumpshot, hailing from southeast Georgia.
If memory serves me, I think we did try to bring in Trae Golden. When Golden is on his game, he's a handful.
We need to win tomorrow's game since we close the year with Kentucky and Alabama. Surpassing .500 in the regular season is a realistic goal for our squad, but we'll have to win two of three to do it.
We'll likely have a hard time handling Stokes down in the post. Big guy, good hands. He's 6' 8" and 270 pounds-- the kind of build that Mark Fox dislikes. I wish Fox would recruit some of the football-player types. Nothing against any of our guys, but tall and skinny doesn't work out too well in the SEC. Not unless you have a lot of quickness and can hit the outside shot. Our returning post players need to be seriously hitting the weights during the off-season.
In the meantime, let's play hard today, double-team Stokes and make his touches difficult. He had 16 points and 11 boards against us on 4 of 6 shooting in our last contest.
Jordan McRae is definitely coming on. He had 27, 23 and 34 points in his last three games. Anybody know if we tried to recruit him? McRae is a 6' 5" player with a good jumpshot, hailing from southeast Georgia.
If memory serves me, I think we did try to bring in Trae Golden. When Golden is on his game, he's a handful.
We need to win tomorrow's game since we close the year with Kentucky and Alabama. Surpassing .500 in the regular season is a realistic goal for our squad, but we'll have to win two of three to do it.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Not Surprised, Not Disappointed
I don't have high expectations for the hoops Dawgs on the road. Getting a win against #20 Tennessee with most of their key players back in the line-up was a tall order for the Dawgs.
Not being surprised does not mean that I liked what I saw from the team. UT pretty much outplayed us at every position.
Of particular concern was the fact that Tennessee doubled our output at the normal scoring positions. UT's shooting guard and small forward combined for 25 points and 13 rebounds. UGA's had 13 and 6. Even worse, their two point guards had 18 points, and ours had 2. We're not going to win with that kind of production.
Trey Thompkins played a good game, scoring 25 points with 10 rebounds. I thought Thompkins would score 40, but Coach Fox pulled him out of the game-- I thought at an inopportune time. I always like riding the hot hand, so I probably would have kept Thompkins in. I know that Thompkins played 35 minutes and Fox has to be careful not to wear out his star player. My point is more about timing. After sitting on the bench for a spell, Thompkins came back in. He was rested, but the magic was gone. He didn't score for the remainder of the game.
I also do not like line-ups with no shooters. Georgia had a decent lead, but when we went to our second unit, the wheels fell off. I'd rather keep at least one scoring threat on the floor at all times. We're not deep enough to do otherwise.
We're 11 and 13 on the year, 3 and 8 in the SEC. Let's learn from last night's game and get ready to play Alabama on Saturday.
Not being surprised does not mean that I liked what I saw from the team. UT pretty much outplayed us at every position.
Of particular concern was the fact that Tennessee doubled our output at the normal scoring positions. UT's shooting guard and small forward combined for 25 points and 13 rebounds. UGA's had 13 and 6. Even worse, their two point guards had 18 points, and ours had 2. We're not going to win with that kind of production.
Trey Thompkins played a good game, scoring 25 points with 10 rebounds. I thought Thompkins would score 40, but Coach Fox pulled him out of the game-- I thought at an inopportune time. I always like riding the hot hand, so I probably would have kept Thompkins in. I know that Thompkins played 35 minutes and Fox has to be careful not to wear out his star player. My point is more about timing. After sitting on the bench for a spell, Thompkins came back in. He was rested, but the magic was gone. He didn't score for the remainder of the game.
I also do not like line-ups with no shooters. Georgia had a decent lead, but when we went to our second unit, the wheels fell off. I'd rather keep at least one scoring threat on the floor at all times. We're not deep enough to do otherwise.
We're 11 and 13 on the year, 3 and 8 in the SEC. Let's learn from last night's game and get ready to play Alabama on Saturday.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
UT Game will be much Tougher
than the one played in Athens. Chism has had an injury, but I fully expect him to be back in action tonight. Brian Williams has been reinstated, and he's had a couple of weeks to get his timing back.
Goins and Maze, the two point guard types that Bruce Pearl has at his disposal will likely be on the court at the same time. Pearl has had more time to understand and prepare to defend the triangle offense. And the Volunteers will be at home.
It will be critical for the Dawgs to start the game well. If Tennessee gets quick turnovers and their team runs out to a 12 to 2 lead, our young Bulldawgs squad may have a difficult time recovering in front of a hostile crowd.
UT will probably win this one, but I'm hoping that the Dawgs find a way to beat Tennessee at their place.
Goins and Maze, the two point guard types that Bruce Pearl has at his disposal will likely be on the court at the same time. Pearl has had more time to understand and prepare to defend the triangle offense. And the Volunteers will be at home.
It will be critical for the Dawgs to start the game well. If Tennessee gets quick turnovers and their team runs out to a 12 to 2 lead, our young Bulldawgs squad may have a difficult time recovering in front of a hostile crowd.
UT will probably win this one, but I'm hoping that the Dawgs find a way to beat Tennessee at their place.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Feeling a Dawgs Win
Dustin Ware will have to play the game of his life. He'll have to keep Bobby Maze out of the paint. And on offense, he has to make good decisions with the ball and help us keep it a half-court game.
The other guys have to step up, too. Does Ebuka have a jumpshot or two in him? Can Drazen spell Travis Leslie?
If we can out-physical their bigs, get Wayne Chism in foul trouble, then I think we win. Hopefully, their guards will come out cold. We're well-rested and fresh, and we need the victory more than they do.
Besides, we already whipped UT once this week. If we can can beat Pat Summitt, Bruce Pearl ought to be easy. We're on a roll, here. Let's keep it going.
Dawgs by a whopping 8 points. 68 to 60. I'm calling it.
The other guys have to step up, too. Does Ebuka have a jumpshot or two in him? Can Drazen spell Travis Leslie?
If we can out-physical their bigs, get Wayne Chism in foul trouble, then I think we win. Hopefully, their guards will come out cold. We're well-rested and fresh, and we need the victory more than they do.
Besides, we already whipped UT once this week. If we can can beat Pat Summitt, Bruce Pearl ought to be easy. We're on a roll, here. Let's keep it going.
Dawgs by a whopping 8 points. 68 to 60. I'm calling it.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
UGA vs. Kentucky: Could Winner Take All?
Not to put too much pressure on the Dawgs, but this Saturday's game at Rupp could be huge.
At the beginning of the season, everyone was picking the Dawgs to end up last in the SEC East. Georgia was understandably seen as being much weaker than the 5 other teams in the division.
But not even the best prognosticators could have foreseen the variety of on-court and off-court issues that have affected the opposition. As the SEC kicks off the first conference games this weekend, I think the pundits would agree that Georgia's prospects are much brighter, based on the following:
1. Volunteer Orange Sing Memphis Blues
UT is still figuring out what to do about the problems that have ensnared a few of their key players. Just a few hours after the team played Memphis, a car with Tyler Smith, Cameron Tatum, Melvin Goins, and Brian Williams, was pulled over. The smell of marijuana and the presence of two revolvers under the seat meant trouble for the group.
Law enforcement is still working its way through the investigation, but in the meantime, the four players involved have been suspended indefinitely. Even if Coach Pearl were tempted to give his guys a slap on the wrist, he can hardly do so, now that the police and UT's athletic director are closely involved. Given the bad press that UT's football players have generated, I expect that the four hoops players will not see the court this year.
Make no mistake about it, the 6 scholarship players that Pearl still has at his disposal can all play. And he has some walk-ons to help him fill out his bench. But Pearl's margin for error is now extremely thin. He certainly cannot afford much in the way of injuries, foul trouble, or off shooting nights from the members of his squad. And his style of play will definitely be affected. Can UT commit to run a full-court press all game long, all season long? I don't think so. Without the press, UT struggles to put points on the board.
2. Downey, Dominique and Dismissal in Columbia
As good as South Carolina looked last year, the Gamecocks could end up as lunch this season for the other teams in the SEC. Devan Downey seems to be in a bit of a slump. He's still averaging 18 points per game, but he is shooting right at 40 percent from the floor, and has just as many turnovers as assists.
Dominique Archie, an inside player who had been averaging 14 points per game, was injured last month and has had to have season-ending surgery. Now, just this week, Coach Horn has dismissed Mike Holmes from the team. As the attached article states, Holmes was averaging 11 points and 5 boards per game. South Carolina will still be a team to be reckoned with, but their record as they enter conference play is a rather pedestrian 9 and 5, and without Archie and Holmes, other SEC teams should be able to wear them down in the post.
3. Vandy Plays Beneath Potential
Vanderbilt will be good, and they have defeated Missouri and Depaul in Nashville. However, Vandy will always have a pretty decent record at home, based on the unusual sight lines in their gym.
The Commodores have an up and coming team, but they have lost already this season to Western Kentucky and to Illinois, a team that Georgia beat.
4. Can Florida's Guards Shoot?
Florida is still out there. They hit a lucky three-quarter court shot to beat N.C. State and go to 11 and 3 on the year. However, they have looked less than impressive. UF is last in the league in 3-point shooting, and 10th in the league in field goal percentage.
5. Georgia has the Mojo
Has anyone else noticed? We haven't won every game, and our record is about where it was last year. But, knock on wood, we haven't had a single key injury, suspension, or legal issue this season.
Ebuka Anyaorah was out all last year to allow him to recover from surgery on his shins. His legs are holding up, and he even has some explosiveness going to the rim.
Albert Jackson's broken hand healed up just in time to start the season. Chris Barnes seems to have suffered no ill effects from his wrist surgery last year. Jeremy Price recovered well from the ankle surgery he had before last year. Howard Thompkins, who had a stress fracture in his foot and a sprained knee just before last year's season started, has recovered completely and due to his playing time with FIBA over the summer and his ability to participate in fall workouts, he's in the best shape of his life.
Everyone else in the division seems to be breaking down, just when our players are finally all healthy at the same time.
Could it be that the perennial "UGA basketball snake-bite" has finally latched onto someone else?
6. UK
So that leaves Kentucky. UK is undefeated. They're as good or better as everyone expected.
Are they be primed for an upset? John Wall has had some cramping problems. Perhaps the Dawgs will GATA (Get After That Asp), and Calipari's squad will feel the fangs of defeat on Saturday.
How could it happen?
I would use the same strategy against them that we used against Tech. Pack the lane and make their guards prove they can shoot from outside.
Unlike the Georgia Tech game, the Dawgs will have to rebound like crazy and limit their second shots. If McPhee and Ware get hot from the outside, and our big men play their post guys even, UGA might escape with the W.
Not to get too far ahead of ourselves here, but win against UK and the Dawgs might then have the momentum to go on a streak against the other teams in the SEC East.
I know all of this sounds unlikely, but we just beat the #17 team in the country, and I'm greedy. We have the mojo. Let's take it one game at a time, leave it all out on the court on Saturday, and see what happens.
I'm ready for more basketball. Go Dawgs! Shock the world and win at Kentucky!
At the beginning of the season, everyone was picking the Dawgs to end up last in the SEC East. Georgia was understandably seen as being much weaker than the 5 other teams in the division.
But not even the best prognosticators could have foreseen the variety of on-court and off-court issues that have affected the opposition. As the SEC kicks off the first conference games this weekend, I think the pundits would agree that Georgia's prospects are much brighter, based on the following:
1. Volunteer Orange Sing Memphis Blues
UT is still figuring out what to do about the problems that have ensnared a few of their key players. Just a few hours after the team played Memphis, a car with Tyler Smith, Cameron Tatum, Melvin Goins, and Brian Williams, was pulled over. The smell of marijuana and the presence of two revolvers under the seat meant trouble for the group.
Law enforcement is still working its way through the investigation, but in the meantime, the four players involved have been suspended indefinitely. Even if Coach Pearl were tempted to give his guys a slap on the wrist, he can hardly do so, now that the police and UT's athletic director are closely involved. Given the bad press that UT's football players have generated, I expect that the four hoops players will not see the court this year.
Make no mistake about it, the 6 scholarship players that Pearl still has at his disposal can all play. And he has some walk-ons to help him fill out his bench. But Pearl's margin for error is now extremely thin. He certainly cannot afford much in the way of injuries, foul trouble, or off shooting nights from the members of his squad. And his style of play will definitely be affected. Can UT commit to run a full-court press all game long, all season long? I don't think so. Without the press, UT struggles to put points on the board.
2. Downey, Dominique and Dismissal in Columbia
As good as South Carolina looked last year, the Gamecocks could end up as lunch this season for the other teams in the SEC. Devan Downey seems to be in a bit of a slump. He's still averaging 18 points per game, but he is shooting right at 40 percent from the floor, and has just as many turnovers as assists.
Dominique Archie, an inside player who had been averaging 14 points per game, was injured last month and has had to have season-ending surgery. Now, just this week, Coach Horn has dismissed Mike Holmes from the team. As the attached article states, Holmes was averaging 11 points and 5 boards per game. South Carolina will still be a team to be reckoned with, but their record as they enter conference play is a rather pedestrian 9 and 5, and without Archie and Holmes, other SEC teams should be able to wear them down in the post.
3. Vandy Plays Beneath Potential
Vanderbilt will be good, and they have defeated Missouri and Depaul in Nashville. However, Vandy will always have a pretty decent record at home, based on the unusual sight lines in their gym.
The Commodores have an up and coming team, but they have lost already this season to Western Kentucky and to Illinois, a team that Georgia beat.
4. Can Florida's Guards Shoot?
Florida is still out there. They hit a lucky three-quarter court shot to beat N.C. State and go to 11 and 3 on the year. However, they have looked less than impressive. UF is last in the league in 3-point shooting, and 10th in the league in field goal percentage.
5. Georgia has the Mojo
Has anyone else noticed? We haven't won every game, and our record is about where it was last year. But, knock on wood, we haven't had a single key injury, suspension, or legal issue this season.
Ebuka Anyaorah was out all last year to allow him to recover from surgery on his shins. His legs are holding up, and he even has some explosiveness going to the rim.
Albert Jackson's broken hand healed up just in time to start the season. Chris Barnes seems to have suffered no ill effects from his wrist surgery last year. Jeremy Price recovered well from the ankle surgery he had before last year. Howard Thompkins, who had a stress fracture in his foot and a sprained knee just before last year's season started, has recovered completely and due to his playing time with FIBA over the summer and his ability to participate in fall workouts, he's in the best shape of his life.
Everyone else in the division seems to be breaking down, just when our players are finally all healthy at the same time.
Could it be that the perennial "UGA basketball snake-bite" has finally latched onto someone else?
6. UK
So that leaves Kentucky. UK is undefeated. They're as good or better as everyone expected.
Are they be primed for an upset? John Wall has had some cramping problems. Perhaps the Dawgs will GATA (Get After That Asp), and Calipari's squad will feel the fangs of defeat on Saturday.
How could it happen?
I would use the same strategy against them that we used against Tech. Pack the lane and make their guards prove they can shoot from outside.
Unlike the Georgia Tech game, the Dawgs will have to rebound like crazy and limit their second shots. If McPhee and Ware get hot from the outside, and our big men play their post guys even, UGA might escape with the W.
Not to get too far ahead of ourselves here, but win against UK and the Dawgs might then have the momentum to go on a streak against the other teams in the SEC East.
I know all of this sounds unlikely, but we just beat the #17 team in the country, and I'm greedy. We have the mojo. Let's take it one game at a time, leave it all out on the court on Saturday, and see what happens.
I'm ready for more basketball. Go Dawgs! Shock the world and win at Kentucky!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Recruiting Recap
By now, readers of this Blog probably know that Terrance Shannon committed to Florida State. Since Shannon seriously injured his knee in an AAU game, he will focus on rehabilitation during the 2008/2009 year to be ready to play for in Tallahassee his freshman year (2009/2010).
Would have loved to see Shannon in Athens, but it didn't happen.
I reported earlier that Billy Humphrey is enrolled at University of New Orleans. There is a full article in the Blog Archive, in case you missed it.
Josh Selby and Jordan McRae have committed to UT for the 2010 class. Selby is a 5-star point guard from Hyattsville, Maryland, and Jordan McRae is a 4-star shooting guard from Midway, Georgia. Both are considered top-30 recruits.
Ari Stewart, 2009 wing player, is going to Wake Forest. He joins Tony Woods and Al-Farouq Aminu, two other highly ranked players from Georgia who signed with Wake for the 2008 class.
Georgia State received a commitment from Rashanti Harris. This one was a surprise to me. Rashanti Harris is a stud, folks. If his academics are in order, Harris will make Georgia State much, much better.
Avery Bradley to Texas. He may try to leave early. Might not be a "one and done" guy, but we'll see how this all pans out.
Would have loved to see Shannon in Athens, but it didn't happen.
I reported earlier that Billy Humphrey is enrolled at University of New Orleans. There is a full article in the Blog Archive, in case you missed it.
Josh Selby and Jordan McRae have committed to UT for the 2010 class. Selby is a 5-star point guard from Hyattsville, Maryland, and Jordan McRae is a 4-star shooting guard from Midway, Georgia. Both are considered top-30 recruits.
Ari Stewart, 2009 wing player, is going to Wake Forest. He joins Tony Woods and Al-Farouq Aminu, two other highly ranked players from Georgia who signed with Wake for the 2008 class.
Georgia State received a commitment from Rashanti Harris. This one was a surprise to me. Rashanti Harris is a stud, folks. If his academics are in order, Harris will make Georgia State much, much better.
Avery Bradley to Texas. He may try to leave early. Might not be a "one and done" guy, but we'll see how this all pans out.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Aaron Craft Commits to Bruce Pearl
Aaron Craft, a 6' 1" point guard from the 2010 class, has committed to play for Bruce Pearl.
Craft averaged 18 points per game last year. He shot 53% from the field, 36% from behind the arc.
Craft also carries a 4.0 GPA.
UT has a talented class of freshmen this year, and brings in Kenny Hall, a post player from the Atlanta area in their 2009 class.
Craft averaged 18 points per game last year. He shot 53% from the field, 36% from behind the arc.
Craft also carries a 4.0 GPA.
UT has a talented class of freshmen this year, and brings in Kenny Hall, a post player from the Atlanta area in their 2009 class.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Bruce Pearl on Incoming Freshmen
Pearl calls his freshmen his best signing class ever. That means, "watch out, SEC."
Cameron Tatum is a guy who will help him this year. I know the focus is on Scotty Hopson, but Tatum might be just as good. As a redshirt freshman, Tatum has not played in the SEC before, so Pearl will have plenty of new weapons to use this year.
And Hopson can score the basketball. Negedu might be a guy utilized like Tyler Smith. If his point guard play is where he needs it to be, Pearl will be able to utilize his full-court pressure system, and rotate players in and out of the line-up.
Pearl apparently has some skill as a speaker, too.
I expect UT to win the SEC this year, despite the loss of Lofton and Smith.
Pearl
Cameron Tatum is a guy who will help him this year. I know the focus is on Scotty Hopson, but Tatum might be just as good. As a redshirt freshman, Tatum has not played in the SEC before, so Pearl will have plenty of new weapons to use this year.
And Hopson can score the basketball. Negedu might be a guy utilized like Tyler Smith. If his point guard play is where he needs it to be, Pearl will be able to utilize his full-court pressure system, and rotate players in and out of the line-up.
Pearl apparently has some skill as a speaker, too.
I expect UT to win the SEC this year, despite the loss of Lofton and Smith.
Pearl
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Like UT Needs More Talent
Fox Sports has information on how Emmanuel Negedu is performing. Negedu de-committed from Arizona, signed with Bruce Pearl's group, and is a freshman at UT this year.
http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/goodmanonfox/2008/08/18/NEGEDU_RUNS_A_435_GRIFFIN_EXPANDING_RANGE
All I'll say is that UGA's squad better be working hard this off-season.
http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/goodmanonfox/2008/08/18/NEGEDU_RUNS_A_435_GRIFFIN_EXPANDING_RANGE
All I'll say is that UGA's squad better be working hard this off-season.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Unfinished Business
Much as I hate to see it, UT has the talent to win it all this year. Pearl feels they have some unfinished business left to do, since they haven't made it past the Sweet 16.
Cameron Tatum is better than advertised. Scotty Hopson can score. They have enough bigs to rebound and block shots, and Tyler Smith is the glue that holds everything together.
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2008/aug/16/ut-all-business-with-new-slogan/
Sundiata Gaines played out of his mind last year to put Georgia in a position to almost beat UT, but his last second three was off. Somebody will have to have a huge game for Georgia to hang in there against them in the 2008/2009 season.
Cameron Tatum is better than advertised. Scotty Hopson can score. They have enough bigs to rebound and block shots, and Tyler Smith is the glue that holds everything together.
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2008/aug/16/ut-all-business-with-new-slogan/
Sundiata Gaines played out of his mind last year to put Georgia in a position to almost beat UT, but his last second three was off. Somebody will have to have a huge game for Georgia to hang in there against them in the 2008/2009 season.
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