Georgia loses to Florida — and the NCAA tease continues
Georgia coach Mark Fox calls timeout but can't stop another second-half slide. (AP photo)
(UPDATED AT 10 p.m.)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Looking for the one victory that could lead fans to exclaim “We’re in!” and the NCAA tournament committee to place Georgia’s resume on the stack of 68, the Bulldogs instead prolonged the debate and the agony.
The Bulldogs were good enough at times Thursday night to lead 13th-ranked Florida on the road by 11 points. They also were inconsistent and panicky enough to melt down in the second half, go cold, let up on defense and lose.
Does the NCAA give style points for teases?
The Dogs lost to Florida 71-62 at the O’Connell Center. They are now 1-5 this season against ranked teams – the only win coming over Kentucky in January.
There is no shame in losing in Gainesville. But the lead-and-wilt act can wear on even the most optimistic fans. Also, the head coach.
“We’re not the most mature group when it comes to handling success,” Georgia coach Mark Fox said. “I think our leadership in [that area] has got to improve.”
Georgia is 18-9. This is how close they could be to 20 wins. They have led at halftime in the past six games but are only 3-3 (the losses coming to Xavier, Vanderbilt and Florida). Fox said the common thread is Georgia lost the rebounding battle in the second half. Guard Travis Leslie pointed to a slip in attitude, not a statistic.
“We’ve just got to keep grinding and keep fighting,” he said. “If we’re going to be in that situation, we can’t get comfortable and let teams back in it. If things [stop] going our way, we can’t start getting overly concerned have things start falling apart.”
The Dogs committed 13 turnovers to Florida’s five and were outscored in points off turnovers 23-5. There’s the game.
They played a solid first half, leading by as many as 11 points (31-20) and by seven (33-26) at the intermission. But Florida came out strong in the second half. Forward Chandler Parsons, who missed the last game with a bruised thigh, came off the bench and gave Florida a lift, scoring seven of the team’s first nine points and tied the game at 35-all on a 3-point shot.
The fast pace turned to Florida’s advantage. The Dogs had trouble handling the Gators’ press, turnovers led to fast breaks, and the Gators took a 52-46 lead with eight minutes remaining. After making only two 3-point shots in the first half, Florida made three consecutive in one stretch of the second half to take their biggest lead, 63-53, with five minutes left.
That pretty much was it. Georgia didn’t get closer than four points the rest of the way. The Dogs made only one field goal (1-for-8) in the final four minutes.
They were coming off an impressive victory at Tennessee, but a win in Gainesville would easily have been the best on their resume. Instead, they’ve now lost 14 of the past 16 meetings to Florida. That’s one-sided enough that maybe the basketball series should be moved to Jacksonville.
At 18-9, a tournament berth certainly is within reach. They should win the next two regular-season games against South Carolina (Saturday) and LSU (next week), before finishing with Alabama before the SEC tournament.
A win Thursday night could have removed all doubt. A projected NCAA bracket by ESPN this week had Georgia as a precarious No. 10 seed in the East Regional. Their record creates just enough discomfort to spell the “bubb” in “bubble” team.
They’ve prolonged the debate for at least another week.
By Jeff Schultz
♦
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188 comments Add your comment
Top Dawg
February 24th, 2011
9:11 pm
I’m beginning to question Fox’s conditioning of this team…and it’s heart! Pathetic with all the talent we’re supposed to have.
Ron
February 24th, 2011
9:13 pm
They are not a TOURAMENT TEAM.
IlliniDawg
February 24th, 2011
9:19 pm
This team is simply not that good.
Fox seems to be a good tactician, but these guys are Felton’s players, and, for the most part, are “athletic” and nothing else. Stupid decisions, poor fundamentals, and a lack of mental toughness are the hallmarks of Georgia basketball over the past decade. Not until Fox has a chance to clean house and recruit his own players will we have a clear indication if UGA basketball is moving in the right direction. For that reason alone, I almost hope that Leslie and Thompkins declare for the draft. Time to move on.
athdog
February 24th, 2011
9:19 pm
Face it boys, they are still, for the most part, Felton’s players. There’s a reason he’s not here anymore, probably several. We are still in need of a talent upgrade, and Fox is doing it, one year at a time.
kaput
February 24th, 2011
9:20 pm
Go Gators!!
IlliniDawg
February 24th, 2011
9:21 pm
Wow, athdog – we had the same idea! I agree, obviously, and am looking at least two years down the road.
5150 UOAD
February 24th, 2011
9:23 pm
But But But It was a Moral victory from the dawgs on thelive game blog. Fox and Richt really need to get in LEEBURNS bed. It would get them wins just like the GYM DAWGS.
Don Imus
February 24th, 2011
9:24 pm
These Tattoed Dawgs cant win the big ones.
Dawgs are Done
February 24th, 2011
9:26 pm
NIT here we come !
Gordon
February 24th, 2011
9:27 pm
Georgia is in if they just win their two home games against weak opponents. I’m a Tech fan, so they look like the Harlem Globetrotters to me. At least one team from our state will get in.
huh?
February 24th, 2011
9:27 pm
1-5 against ranked teams and they’re in???….. pathetic…..if they do get in they won’t last long….
Dan
February 24th, 2011
9:28 pm
Fox has been here for less than two complete years and the Dawgs ain’t won every game by 50!!!! FIRE HIS NON COACHING ARSE NOW!!!!
Guess what Sports Fans! It can take a while to take a team from the bottom, which is where the Dawgs were, to be a constant competitor in the SEC and the NCAA.
Worm
February 24th, 2011
9:31 pm
OK, as a former hoopster, this team has problems..
We are first half world beaters…Patient ,run the offense and rebound.
Second half-The other team turns up the heat and goes into their press which always cost us at least 2-3 timeouts and several turnovers.
Coach, do you NOT see the pattern here..A PRESS always “surprises” us.
The other team changes their offensive plan and ALWAYS shoots a high % in the second half..
We are a “Scared” basketball team in the second half and that’s a reflection on the Coach.
We freewheel the first half and are “Coached” the second…Let the athletes LOOSE!
Boynton helps Florida finish sweep of Georgia – ESPN — Baton Rouge Real Estate
February 24th, 2011
9:40 pm
[...] Gators welcome Bulldogs to GainesvilleMiamiHerald.comLSU is getting betterHouma CourierAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Monroe News Star -Orlando Sentinel (blog)all 222 news [...]
IlliniDawg
February 24th, 2011
9:42 pm
@Worm: the problem is in fact the “athletes” as you so call them. They can play street ball with the best of them. But when the game gets intense and the pressure rises, and the situation calls for a more calculated approach to the game, these guys fold like the deck chairs on the Titanic. They are an undisciplined, mentally flacid, bunch of p******. Leslie and Thompkins won’t get off the bench in the NBA. But I sure hope they try, so the rebuilding process can begin.
bravedawg
February 24th, 2011
9:55 pm
Schultz you and Bradley need to make your minds up, one week they are definitely in, and the next week they are definitely out… let’s let the season play out and we’ll see… truth is you aren’t on the selection committee so who gives a d**** what your opinion is…
BJH
February 24th, 2011
10:03 pm
Win 2 of the next 3 with one win in the conference tourney and we’re in.
period.
Dino
February 24th, 2011
10:06 pm
With 1 more quality win, UGA’s in the NCAAs, but they will probably go out in round 1. Fox better get it together next year or he will not be around long.
Dog Island Gator
February 24th, 2011
10:06 pm
Hey, thanks. Didn’t know the Gators dominate the pups in basketball just like football, baseball,swimming, ect. But the pups are ranked in softball.
paw
February 24th, 2011
10:06 pm
UGA is not worthy of going dancing. Should be a nice road team for in the NIT. Looks like the Mark Fox honeymoon is about to end. Same talent last year and finished belly up in the weak East.
zzzzzzzz
M
February 24th, 2011
10:09 pm
Hey boy, let’s talk about those jackets. 30-74 the last few years in the acc lol…and you pro-techie ajc writers want Richt fired hahahaha
Skeezix
February 24th, 2011
10:09 pm
This is definitely a program on the upswing but they are still on the bubble.
sarfdawg
February 24th, 2011
10:10 pm
Of course, leave it to Schultz to stick it to Georgia whenever he can.
Bottom line is that this team is going to make the NCAA Tournament whether Schultz likes it or not. This is a testament to what Fox has been able to do in two years. Thompkins is hardly a 1st rounder, and their post is awful. One more solid recruiting class, and this team will contend for bigger and better things.
Buzz 2010
February 24th, 2011
10:10 pm
Enjoy the NIT experience!!
RaleighDawg
February 24th, 2011
10:13 pm
This is all about coaching – or the lack thereof. I can only hope some unsuspecting team buys the Fox hype and lures him away before UGA basketball has been completely undone.
scott
February 24th, 2011
10:14 pm
Dino,
you are a moron! your comment does not even deserve a reply, I’ll leave it at that. program was about to collapse and he comes in to take them to tourney in 2nd year, now his job on the line:) HA! Read a book.
They will win last two home games, and I think beat Bama too. 21-11 and sec tourney coming up, maybe get to 22 wins. I think this group is good enough to get 2nd-3rd round. Lets not forget ND (one of best teams in country) it took them 2ot’s to beat us.
Verne
February 24th, 2011
10:21 pm
Is Trey T. the most overated player in the SEC? I think so….
ChattaDawg
February 24th, 2011
10:23 pm
hey Buzz,
We will enjoy the NIT experience watching it between the DAWGS games in the NCAA
Lindz
February 24th, 2011
10:24 pm
Ok Bama, Carolina and LSU all suck. Winning any of those games aint gonna get us sh*t. Well bounce out of the first round and the friggin Gates will be in the sweet 16 or worse…tired of losing to them damn it
ChattaDawg
February 24th, 2011
10:28 pm
Raleigh,
Lack of coaching..Really? Lack of heart by our big guys is more accurate. Price can’t play defense. Tompkins too worried about NBA
TRUE BLUE
February 24th, 2011
10:32 pm
When has GEORGIA had a really true point guard. The guards are terrible ball handler. They can’t shoot the three or pass the ball low in the post.Tre’ had position all night on the offensive end but the guards couldn’t get him the ball. It took Mr. Leslie to get him the ball. Plus as team they can’t REBOUND or block anybody out. They look great in the first half , but the second half a totally different team.
Verne
February 24th, 2011
10:32 pm
Thomkins should be worried about the NBA. Where do I start…. He lacks heart, stregnth, he’s about 1 for his last 100 from 3 point range. How many times has he turned the ball over on an inbounds play? Poor decision making is probably his biggest fault. Perhaps he looked so good the last two years because there was no one else. Now that other’s have stepped up he’s pressing and it shows. He should have gone to the NBA last year and someone woudl have taken a chance. I don’t see why anyone would draft him before the second round.
RaleighDawg
February 24th, 2011
10:33 pm
ChattaDawg – I am in 100% agreement with you about JP and Trey…but who makes out the lineup and who leaves these guys in there ? These are Fox’s decisions. There are no consequences from Fox for not playing D, not hustling, or making continued boneheaded plays (like Gerald dribbling off the back of his foot at least three times tonight). These guys know they are playing 30+ minutes no matter what. Fox has GOT to instill a sense of PRIDE in these guys…or failing that, at least start playing the young guys and try to get the team ready for next year.
Abnerish
February 24th, 2011
10:34 pm
Our starters simply get tired. They can’t sustain the energy for 40 mins.
Upstate Dawg
February 24th, 2011
10:39 pm
“Bubble talk” for teams with RPIs below 40 is just job security for journalists. As BJH says, if we win two of the next three, we’re in. Since the rest of the East will be playing each other, it’s also likely we move up in the seeding. Basketball is a long season and March will be eventful for this team. Go Dawgs.
Hairy Dawg
February 24th, 2011
10:40 pm
If Fox gets us into the tournament, it will be a very successful year for our basketball program. We haven’t been good enough over the years for fans to p*** on this team. I don’t like some of what I see. Those second-half collapses have been consistent, so it’s obviously a problem with the personnel. Fox can only sub in so many guys. At some point, the leaders on the team, the older folks, have to nut up and take some control out on the floor. Until then, these problems will continue.
Nevertheless, a flawed team making the NCAA Tournament is better than the usual flawed teams going nowhere that we’ve seen around these parts.
Gen Neyland
February 24th, 2011
10:42 pm
I think UGA will make the NCAA Tourney. A strong finish to the regular season and a good showing in the SEC Tourney locks them. They have weaknesses but that’s a story for another day. IMO, they’ll make it…
Dawgy Boy
February 24th, 2011
10:45 pm
Fire Mark Fox!!! We Suck
joe
February 24th, 2011
11:16 pm
Thompkins has not improved from last year to this year. In fact he has regressed. Can’t blame it on his sprained ankle from 3 months ago. Overrated !!
Dawgy Boy
February 24th, 2011
11:23 pm
Oh yea! I forgot to say that I’m an idiot too!
Jeff Schultz
February 24th, 2011
11:25 pm
Bravedawg — Actually, I’ve been pretty consistent saying I thought Georgia would win 20 games and make the tournament. I haven’t backed off that at all. And the next time you resort to name-calling, you’re outta here.
Dino
February 24th, 2011
11:25 pm
“Dawgy Boy And I’m the kind of guy who likes men”
Well you’re my kind of guy sweetie!
Wanna go to a tickle pile?
Jeff Schultz
February 24th, 2011
11:25 pm
BJH- I agree, that should do it.
Jeff Schultz
February 24th, 2011
11:28 pm
Sarfdawg — Enlighten me, oh wise one. What in this column did you find inaccurate or overly negative? Tell me what I said that players or Mark Fox didn’t say himself. Or is it just fun to take shots with no basis of facts behind phony screen names? Yeah, that must be it.
Tuna
February 24th, 2011
11:29 pm
Georgia’s starting 5 in a nutshell:
Ware – respectable ball-handler with a pretty 3-point touch which has disappeared inexplicably in the last several games.
Robinson – Erratic on offense, often out of control. Defensive liability.
Price – Stepped up his game big-time offensively this year. Defensively, not so much.
Leslie – Gives max effort on offense most of the time, aggressive, still lacks consistency on perimeter shooting. Defensive liability.
Thompkins – Lack of effort. Had injuries early in the season but just looks lazy right now. Marginally-effective right under the hoop, just plain ugly outside. Extreme defensive liability.
NIT team, in my opinion (as a Georgia fan). NCAA bid, then Fox should get coach of the year with this bunch.
Panic Artists
February 24th, 2011
11:29 pm
Schultzie writes a blog, and everyone panics. Wow, nothing changes around here. Florida is a lock for a 3 seed, and pushing close to a 2 now….they ARE a very good team. I actually think they could beat just about anyone on a neutral floor, except perhaps Duke. Dawgs have Gators on the ropes until Florida shoots the lights out of the gym in the 2nd half on THEIR home court. What is the shame in this loss?…if for one am not feeling the panic everyone else is feeling. What I saw tonight was a REALLY good team go ‘en fuego’ from behind the arc at home, and the Dawgs were in it the whole way…Travis played really well, and Trey did offensively too (Trey’s D is another story). RELAX. Fox will get the hounds ready for a run here in the next 2 weeks. And Schultzie, I love your columns bro and you know football like its no one’s business….but hoops..that’s MB’s ichiban
Just like Football...
February 24th, 2011
11:29 pm
All you inbread redneck hillbillies rant and rave about Fox and how good the UGAY Basketball team was going to be in 2012.Now all you Leghumpers want to throw everybody under the bus( ie Mark Richt). Face it girls, UGA SUCKS AT EVERYTHING!
Ryno in Athens
February 24th, 2011
11:34 pm
Well, If you would’ve told me that we would split the two between Tennessee and Florida these past two games, I’d have been a fool to be greedy enough to be angry that we didn’t sweep them. As much as this game did mirror alot of these that are so close, I think the Dawgs are sitting pretty darn good right now. The “No Bad Loss” stat has to be impressive. I mean, we have three fewer bad losses than Florida, who has three. So, take care of business against SC and LSU, and I think we’re in great position. Win at ‘Bama and it’s a done deal, just like it would’ve been had we won tonight.
Ryno in Athens
February 24th, 2011
11:37 pm
You mean inbred, JUST LIKE FOOTBALL? Learn how to spell big boy.
BK ...hold the onions
February 24th, 2011
11:38 pm
Jeff you do an outstanding job. I enjoy reading your blog.Good night.
Tuna
February 24th, 2011
11:39 pm
Try the turkey and swiss on “inbread.” That’s a tasty sandwich!
-Tuna
Jeff Schultz
February 24th, 2011
11:40 pm
BK … hold the onions — Thanks, appreciate it.
Tuna
February 24th, 2011
11:42 pm
Jeff,
What do you think this team lacks, other than defense and bad turnovers? I’m thinking perimeter shooters?
Tuna
February 24th, 2011
11:43 pm
Check that: I guess they are really not “lacking” bad turnovers. Those are a plenty!
Ryno in Athens
February 24th, 2011
11:47 pm
I figured you’d like the Tuna on that Inbread.
Globetrotter
February 24th, 2011
11:50 pm
With about 4 games left with the tourny still to come, the UGA game against Alabama will play a bigger role than most UGA fans want to admit. As for Lindz, who lumped a division leading Alabama team with USC and LSU, you my friend have zero credibility. The division winner on each side makes the tourney historically. If UGA loses 1 or more remaining regular season games then UGA will need to play in the conference finals to be a lock team.
Tech Tony
February 25th, 2011
12:02 am
It’s hard to be objective about UGA but I’ll give it a go.
Using the subjective “eye test”, I think Georgia should make the field of 68. I watch an awful lot of college basketball and I don’t see 37 better at-large selections out there (assuming of course UGA doesn’t win the SEC Tournament).
However, if the selection committee acts as promised and uses more of a blind resume to determine who’s in and out, the Bulldogs might have to sweat it out. On the plus side, the team has no bad losses against it and will more than likely post a winning record inside the league but on the down side, they are, as you stated, 1-5 against ranked teams (and I think something like 2-9 against the top 50). The selection committee also places a good deal of emphasis on strength of schedule ouside of conference and there Georgia is found wanting as its biggest OOC win is UAB.
I think someone’s earlier post pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of the players individually is spot on. I see a very talented player in Thompkins but not a very savvy one; he thinks too much and as a result makes too many bad decisions. Leslie will have a career in the NBA due to his outstanding athleticism but it’ll be as an 11th or 12th man because there’s not a whole lot of minutes available in the NBA for a guard who can’t shoot. Ware is the unsung hero. As he goes, so goes Georgia.
UGA fans don’t give a rat’s patootie about my assessment of their team and that’s fine but I can’t beieve some people are down on Mark Fox. The team, even with a few second half collapses, is still better than the sum of its parts.
TiredDawg
February 25th, 2011
12:06 am
I swear to all that is good, I have never had more weird feelings about a UGA team in any sport than this one. I honestly feel like we are going to definitely lose a game the larger our lead gets.
If UGA has a 10+ point lead with 2:00 minutes left I will always put my money on the opponent. This is beyond ridiculous.
Douglas
February 25th, 2011
12:08 am
If I am the AD at UGA, I send Fox to a coaching clinic on teaching his players how to play defense and how to finish a game because he does not have a clue.
TiredDawg
February 25th, 2011
12:11 am
Hey Coach Fox, it’s called “CLOSING OUT A GAME!!”
Dino
February 25th, 2011
12:18 am
“Douglas If I am the AD at UGA, I send Fox to a coaching clinic on teaching his players how to play defense and how to finish a game because he does not have a clue.”
Thank you for showing the world that Dawg fans, at least the ones who post crap on-line, are some of the dumbest on earth!
BigDawg1980
February 25th, 2011
12:18 am
3 areas that cost us this game tonight. 1. Permeter defense was horrible in the 2nd half as Florida lit us up from 3-pt land. 2. Rebounding…..Com on man, it is simple. We are not blocking out under the boards and on offense when we shoot no one is crashing the boards for an offensive rebound. 3. Heart…We played the 2nd half with no heart. What I mean by that is we acted like we didn’t want the game. We did not play with much effort in the 2nd half. I am tired of watching this team only play parts of a game. Play the entire game with the same intensity. I also question the fact that we had Brantley playing late in the game and Robinson on the bench? So I guess there were 4 reasons. The fourth being coaching……..We need a leader on the floor. I was at the game tonight and we looked like 2 different teams in 1st and 2nd halves. I love these Dawgs but we have to get it together and play a complete game if we are gonna make any noise in the NCAA.
Jet
February 25th, 2011
12:20 am
How many games is this now that this team has gift wrapped for the opponents? 6?
Coach Fox
February 25th, 2011
12:21 am
Winning is overrated. It’s how hard you play the other 35 minutes of the game that really counts.
Whopper Dawg
February 25th, 2011
12:52 am
THey darn near blew it against TN too, for about three possessions in the last minute and a half, TN just ran the court to the basket uncontested and scored. Fox really has to work on how to close one out. They can’t do it against a quality opponent, even if they dance, it is one and done despite the talent there.
GTBob
February 25th, 2011
1:06 am
UGA will make the tournament. It’s hard to imagine them getting too far though. They are just not mentally, and physically strong enough in close games against good teams. Well, that is pretty much all they will play in the NCAA tournament. A first round loss is likely. At most they make the second round. Then next year they will have to rebuild most of the team.
sarfdawg
February 25th, 2011
3:16 am
Schultzie: “…Instead, they’ve now lost 14 of the past 16 meetings to Florida. That’s one-sided enough that maybe the basketball series should be moved to Jacksonville.” I suppose you think that’s not a cheap shot?
As I said before, any chance you have to stick it to Georgia, particularly Georgia football, you will. You have something against Georgia, and it’s brutally obvious, and I’ve often wondered why you are assigned to Georgia athletics.
As far as phony screen names go, in case you didn’t notice, just about everyone on here uses a nickname of some kind. You’re crazy if you DON’T do that. If you would like to discuss this privately, I’ll be glad to send you my name, number, and address. Post your phone number, and I’ll give you a call.
Buzz 2010
February 25th, 2011
4:26 am
Get over it with Schultz there sarfdawgs.. He is the same way with GT..He has no dog in the
hunt and does a good job. Things are what they are sarfdawg.. It’s a Dawg gone shame…
Jonathan
February 25th, 2011
4:38 am
We’ve seen this all season. I highly doubt we lost to USC @ home or to LSU. Bama will be the deciding game that gets us in. I don’t think we deserve to be in if we only win 2 of the next 3. Personally though I think Bama is overrated and I’ll bet we win the next 4 or 5 games in a row(pending who we play in the SEC Tourney)
just win
February 25th, 2011
5:37 am
worm you are right fox lets them play in the first half … then his coaching gets in the way in the second half I HAVE BEEN SAYING THAT FOR A WHILE ……. LET THEM PLAY…….. AND STOP ALL THEM TIMEOUTS … DON’T MICRO MANAGE
just win
February 25th, 2011
5:39 am
AND WHEN THE TEAMS ARE PRESSING TAKE OUT BRANTLEY THE BALL IS A HOT POTATO IN HIS HAND …… JUST HAVE HIM SHOOT …
» SEC: Florida clinches; Rain shortens basketball game John Clay’s Sidelines
February 25th, 2011
6:33 am
[...] The NCAA tease continues with the Bulldogs, says Jeff Schultz of the AJC. [...]
bjohndawg
February 25th, 2011
6:42 am
Fox has brought significant improve to this Georgia program in the last two years. 18-9 in second year. Give the man time. He has my vote of confidence.Adn if one really is a Dawg fan, they should be given their confidence as well. Beat SC and LSU and at BAMA, focus on that. 3 would be great. Two gets it done.
GaCracker
February 25th, 2011
6:51 am
Trey Thompkins is really erratic now. He not only is not scoring as well, but is not blocking shots or rebounding as well either. Many times he just forces shots, and always tries 1 or 2 three pointers.
He must learn to find the open man quickly when the low post double team comes.
The dogs are losing the turnover battle also. They need to drive and penetrate more than they do. Get more fouls called on the big guys down low. And they often fritter away the shot clock and either have a violation or a very bad shot.
‘Nuff said!
JustAThought
February 25th, 2011
6:56 am
Thompkins seems to play lazy and he looks lazy. The kid has the bones of a very athletic guy, but by just looking at him, the way he plays you would never know it. He should be more dominate player at this level but he’s not, which translate to NBA bust. If he has another year of elgibility he should stay, at least to get STRONGER (if thats possible at UGA).
JM
February 25th, 2011
7:00 am
Don’t count on them beating South Carolina on Saturday.
Beast from the East
February 25th, 2011
7:09 am
“Instead, they’ve now lost 14 of the past 16 meetings to Florida. That’s one-sided enough that maybe the basketball series should be moved to Jacksonville.”
I don’t care who you are, that’s funny stuff.
Palm City Dawg
February 25th, 2011
7:11 am
You folks need to RELAX. Look where we were 2 years ago. Fox had repeatedly said he realizes we need to fill a few voids. Look, if we make the tournament it will be a great year…a work in progress.
JB
February 25th, 2011
7:16 am
Have we just come to expect that we just not compete with Florida except for Non profit sports like Golf, Gym etc.? Did anyone read the quote from Adams yesterday at the Athletic Assoc. meeting. He basically said there was a lot of cheating going on in the SEC and that he hates losing, but would rather be compliant than Cheat. I agree by the way. He said it in political speak, but that’s what he said.
Sloan
February 25th, 2011
7:35 am
UGA basketball is in great hands with Coach Fox. For the first time since the Jim Harrick debacle, I am taking my family of four to Athens this weekend to watch them play South Carolina. It is a 4.5 hour drive for us and two nights in a hotel room. I really love the game of basketball, and I have longed for Georgia (my Alma mater) to have a good program that would be worthy of us spending an occasional weekend in the the Classic city to watch in person. Unfortunately, after every coach Durham, Smith or (on the court record only) Harrick we have never sustained momentum (see Jirsa, Felton). It is my sincere hope that Coach Fox is here to stay and that our AD, Mr. McGarity, will see to that.
That we have won 18 games to this point in the season and are in the discussion for an NCAA tourney birth in Coach Fox’s second season is monumental progress. I believe that if we win our remaining home games we are in. Even more so if we can beat Alabama on the road.
All of the criticism on this blog and in previous ones as the season has played out is a result of expectations that, in hindsight, have proven to be founded in a lot of “pie in the sky” optimism and not a lot of real sound evaluation of what this team is made of from a basketball talent perspective. Many SEC coaches picked UGA as the dark horse to win the east and the conference as did many sports journalists whom cover SEC basketball and with Thompkins and Leslie returning we UGA fans bought in. But now that the season is in the home stretch, I think the following things ring true about this UGA team:
1) Gerald Robinson was touted as the guy that would be a the difference maker in the front court for the Dogs – reality says that he has potential but has played small more often that not in SEC play and has not shown that he makes good decisions with the basketball in his hands at crunch time. And his defense is barely passable against some of the leagues better guards.
2) Trey Thompkins has not played up to expectations. The pre-season SEC player of the year was slowed by a high ankle sprain during the pre-SEC portion of the schedule. His statistics for the year are underwhelming given what was expected of him. Watching him play I believe there is a combination of things that explain this. He is at his best around the basket, yet he oftens plays soft with the ball in his hands putting up a finesse jumper or lay-up instead of aggressively attacking the basket for a more high percentage shot and trying to draw a foul. Other times he is stuck outside the paint in the offense when a shot goes up. And often he is open under the basket, but his teammates don’t recognize the opportunity and get him the ball. He is an NBA body with NBA potential, but I am not convinced he has an NBA motor.
3) Travis Leslie can jump out of the gym. Tremendous athlete. But he too has failed to show a willingness at times this year to take control of a game at crunch time and has shied away from taking the fifteen foot jumper when he’s open on a crucial possession. The hope was that he would develop his overall basketball skills during the offseason and progress from an athlete to a basketball player with freakish athletic ability. Based on the evidence, it hasn’t happened yet. NBA? I hope someone who he will listen to will tell him the truth, NOT READY.
4) Jeremy Price is much improved, particularly on offense. But he is just not quick enough to guard some of the better big men he’s been matched up against in the low post.
5) Dustin Ware is an efficient player who can be a nice compliment to a team with a great drive and penetrate type of guard. He can shoot the three but lacks the athleticism to consistently get open on his own against the more talented opposition.
6) The bench is not real deep and provides only brief infusions of effectiveness from the likes of Chris Barnes, Sherrod Brantley, Marcus Thornton and others. What has happened to Connor Nolte who played a lot when Thompkins was hurt early in the season but has scarcely seen the floor during SEC play?
7) Last year no one expected anything from this program and we got a lot more than that. This year UGA was on everyone’s radar because we had earned their respect from the previous year. The result has been that we haven’t been able to surprise anyone. Every team we have played has been ready to play against us. That has made things much tougher for Fox and his players in his second season.
UGASlobberknocker
February 25th, 2011
7:36 am
This team just cannot finish. I do believe that the Dawgs will get in the tourney if they finish 9-7..but even at 9-7, if they lose to Bama, they prob will have to win the first came of the tourney to get in for sure. I would rather be a 10 seed than 9..to miss the 1 seed in the second round.
We have the talent to make a run..but I just don’t see the leadership on the team to make that happen.
Buckeye
February 25th, 2011
7:36 am
1st Half – Yes We Can!
2nd Half – Knew We Couldn’t….
Interesting too see several comments regarding Howard (before I was Trey) Thompkins that mirror what I have already posted. Hope you make the Dance, Kid, and please come back for another year. You need the work.
Perhaps its burnout and the overall desire just isn’t there anymore.
in blogging..short is good
February 25th, 2011
7:40 am
Nobody wants to read a five paragraph epistle from an anonymous somebody who may or may not know his butt from a hole in the ground..just keep it short and on point people. Nobody is looking for deep deep analysis here..we can go to the experts for that.
UGASlobberknocker
February 25th, 2011
7:45 am
If there is a silver lining in the disappointing season this year, it is that IMO, neither Tompkins or Leslie have proven to me that they are top picks; certainly not lottery picks. They both could use another year..so maybe they’ll come back..if so, lookout next yr with the new guard coming in..plus Dante Williams is gonna be real good.
Brian
February 25th, 2011
7:50 am
Apparently the basketball ball team and the football team have the same strength and conditioning routine. Neither can close out a game. Going to be a quick SEC and NCAA (if we get in) if they can’t find a way to play for 40 minutes.
wow
February 25th, 2011
7:51 am
You guys were talking nonstop during the offseason about how great of a game time coach Mark Fox is and how you guys were going to challenge for championships. Its funny to see how quickly UGA fans can turn on one of their coaches. You guys went from pitiful to respectable in two years….give the guy a little credit. UGA will be one and done in the NCAA tourney but at least they will make it. UGA fans should enjoy this time while GT is down, because things will go back to normal soon enough when the new coach is hired on North Ave.
Buckeye
February 25th, 2011
7:56 am
Sloan,
You it the nail on the head with Howard ( before I was Trey): Motor.
Buckeye
February 25th, 2011
7:57 am
and perhaps……”motor”vation
The Greatest Game Ever Played
February 25th, 2011
7:57 am
45-42. November 2008. Magical.
Sarcasm
February 25th, 2011
8:01 am
If Travis Leslie and Trey Thompkins don’t want to play defense, please let them go to the league where they won’t have to.
GT Dude
February 25th, 2011
8:15 am
Dawg fans, its not as bad as you guys are making it out to be…
You don’t have Hewitt for your coach
Buckeye
February 25th, 2011
8:21 am
Does anyone know the deadline to declare for the NBA draft? I wonder if the impending lockout ( July 1? ) will have any bearing on Howard’s ( before I was Trey) decision. And, Jared Sullinger’s for that matter.
GT Dude,
Admire you sense of humor!
confused
February 25th, 2011
8:22 am
I like Coach Fox, I really do. But I have never felt less confident with any other team than I do this one with a big lead. I had the same feeling last night when they had an 11 point lead multiple times and yet the same result happened as usual. They blew it.
Busted
February 25th, 2011
8:27 am
Even if they go 2-1 over their next 3 games, they are not in. 9-7 in the sec is dreadful. They have two more wins than south carolina. Considering how badly they’ve played at home recently. I wouldn’t be surprised if they lost to them. Better win a couple of sec tourney games to help, although that won’t be saying much because the bottom 8 teams are crap, ga included.
papadawg
February 25th, 2011
8:30 am
You have to question the play in the second half and wonder if it’s the Coaching, youth, lack of talent/depth or poor conditioning.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
February 25th, 2011
8:41 am
After the last few years i am glad to be in the bubble discussion. I am a little concerned with second half conditioning its one of the things that destroyed the football team.
Basketball Fan
February 25th, 2011
8:43 am
I’m tired of the “These are still Felton’s players” excuse. You sound like Obama still blaming everything on Bush. Fox has coached this team in approximately 60 games and probably 150-200 practices. I’d say this is defintely Fox’s team now, and it’s not a very good one.
DawginLex
February 25th, 2011
8:47 am
Buckeye,
Thompkins and Leslie need to come back next year. Period. With the guys returning, could be a top 15 team nationally. 5 star recruit coming in.
This year’s team is really a strange bunch. I still don’t think they know how to win at the end of games and that goes back to lack of success, it’s UGA etc. Fox has changed that somewhat but not completely.
They have to get to 9 wins in the SEC. Losing at Bama won’t kill them.
20-10 and 9-7 in the SEC. Pretty darn good considering where this program has been. I think that gets them in.
LKB
February 25th, 2011
8:47 am
I love how all the haters just say the team is “not good”. That is total BS. UGA has the chance to win every game but they can not finish like the good teams. They blow big lead after big lead. That is youth- simply put. Fox is a great coach (except when he needs to call a time out). He will continue to get better players and UGA will win the SEC. They will NEVER win it all so everyone stop comparing them to the elite B-ball programs. Be happy with just making the tournament which they will as long as they win 2 more games.
Dogs Smell
February 25th, 2011
8:47 am
Whats new? NCAA ? Why would you want to be another 1 and out team? Go to the NIT where you can be 2 and out !
UGA4life
February 25th, 2011
8:49 am
UGA needs a Kyle Macy type of guard, if you know what I mean
DawginLex
February 25th, 2011
8:50 am
wow,
I’m not turning on coach Fox at all and neither is any reasonable Dawg fan who realizes where this program has been.
I can’t believe you have the nerve to talk smack considering there are multiple Tech fans who are ready to run over Hewitt with a bus and you have zero confidence in your AD to select a coach. Return to what? UGA owns Tech in basketball now.
Fox is going to be around awhile and the future for Georgia basketball is bright.
Auburn | MrSEC.com
February 25th, 2011
8:51 am
[...] the Gators pull away.4. For Georgia, it was yet another case of blowing a halftime lead.5. “We’re not the most mature group when it comes to handling success,” Mark Fox said…6. Want proof? Look at this rundown of UGA’s blown leads this [...]
Dogs Smell
February 25th, 2011
8:52 am
Man you Dogs fans dream of a basketball future as if it were football. Win the SEC next year? Really? As if UF , UK , UT will not get better?
robodawg
February 25th, 2011
8:55 am
The common thread in many of our games this season is jump out to a lead, then get panicky and make bad decisions. We’ve won close games that should’ve come easy, and we’ve lost close games that we well could’ve won. Full court traps have been too effective against us.
It’s a very likeable group of guys and I want them to succeed. At this point, I expect us to make the tournament and be a dangerous opponent. But with the right seeding and playing a full 40 minutes of ball, we’re Sweet 16 caliber.
dawgtime
February 25th, 2011
8:56 am
Why do so many fans get upset when one of these sportswriters does a column stating the truth about their team? I’m a Dawg fan, and I’m ready to have something to look forward to each winter/spring from the men’s hoops team, but geez, we still manage to underachieve and disappoint even when there are those infrequent high expectations for the program. Neither Jeff nor Mark has stated anything about this team or their performance which wasn’t true. Be mad at the players and/or coach, not the writers! Be mad that a group of players that hasn’t accomplished a thing at UGA seems to get relaxed and complacent with a lead. Why don’t they play hard for an entire game? Be angry at their effort in that UGA uniform.
DawginLex
February 25th, 2011
8:59 am
dogs smell,
I’m not predicting an SEc title next year. I said if Trey and Travis return again, along with the 5 star recruit coming in, UGA could be top 15.
You can go ahead and pencil in Kentucky as SEC champion next year and preseason top 3. Their recruiting class is sick. They have 4 of the top 17 players in the country coming in next year.
Hatfieldgeoff
February 25th, 2011
9:01 am
I hope Fox’s dogs make the NCAA Tourney, but even it they do they will not last long. They don’t have much depth, they cannot handle any pressure and their guards are not good ball handlers. Robinson’s speed and driving ability has been a good addition to the team, but for a guard he is not good and ball handling and the same can be said of Ware. The team chokes when teams press them, but the guards inability to negotiate basic cross overs and behind the back dribbles leads directly to turnovers or results in them getting caught in a trap which then usually results in a bad pass. Their offense is base on getting the ball down low to Thompkins and others but against good defenses they don’t have the ability to make the passes to do it. They don’t shoot free throws well (like so many teams these days) and other than Thompkins the big men don’t have the ability to finish. They have all the signs of a first-round victim. Also, neither Thompkins or Leslie have had great seasons. Thompkins should stay another year to get stronger. He doesn’t look ready for the NBA. Leslie has got to polish his game. His jumper needs a lot of work and he needs to develop some moves to take advantage of his great leaping ability. How many times have we seen him go up in the air not knowing what to do with the ball, resulting in bad shots or bad passes.
David
February 25th, 2011
9:02 am
Georgia is the most underachieving team in the nation. I don’t know why they always slow the game down to a pathetic display of offense. Can’t break the press and defense stinks. They have great players but are a very average team.
Gen Neyland
February 25th, 2011
9:04 am
LKB : It’s not ‘all the haters’ but many knowledgeable basketball fans that are Georgia fans 1st and foremost see where there are problems with this years Bulldog team. I think UGA will get to the NCAA Tourney but I’ve seen 20+ win teams not make it. It’s all about who, when, where and how you whacked the opposition to get those 20+ wins. My program of choice appears to have better success on the road this year and has a decent RPI and SOS. If it came down to TN or UGA getting the last chance to pull the long straw from SEC teams going dancin’, it’ll be interesting.
One and Done
February 25th, 2011
9:08 am
Booyah its NIT Baby !
Doc Hollidawg
February 25th, 2011
9:11 am
Win 2 of the next 3 and they’re in. Florida is a good team. Parsons is what made the difference in that game last night. I wish Robinson would make better decisions with the ball, but I think he has shown improvement. He does pull the ball back sometimes now when at the beginning of the year he would make careless plays. I think our tournament hopes ride on how well Robinson and Ware protect the basketball and be patient. It may be wishful thinking, but I think this is a good tournament team. They can match up on the inside with just about anybody. The trouble will be with a quick team that loves to press, so the matchups in the tourney will be key. I would rather be a 10 or 7 seed over an 8 or 9 too. I think they can make a run if they match up against similar type teams in the tourney. GO DAWGS!!!!
Pago Pago Dawg
February 25th, 2011
9:14 am
Is there any sport the DAWGS can beat UF?!?! Gessh…..this is pitiful people.
Floundering Fox Hounds Batman !
February 25th, 2011
9:14 am
A few SEC coaches did a good job in building up a certain team this year in the preseason and it worked beautifully to their advantage. That ceratain team use to have a football coach in Vince Dooley who would use the same tactics. Back to reality folks !
Barkin'Dog
February 25th, 2011
9:20 am
in blogging..short is good
February 25th, 2011 7:40 am Nobody wants to read a five paragraph epistle
BULL! I enjoyed reading this epistle… from someone who knows something about roundball, and cares about his team… much more than your ignorant, self-centered comment. And, I dare say, many others did as well.
How can so many on here complain about the Dawgs defense? They have had leads in the first halves of the last 6 games, and many others… and held opponents leading scorers to ZERO points in some recent games (1st half). The problem, as I see it, is they get winded from the come-backs made by focused, experienced teams. Perhaps that is due to lack of bench players, of lack of desire to use them. Learning how to handle adversity and success (1st half examples) is a process… and I’ve seen great strides the past 2 seasons. They aren’t better than a lot of teams, but they are better than most… and the selection committee will acknowledge that when the time comes.
Barkin'Dog
February 25th, 2011
9:26 am
dawgtime
February 25th, 2011
8:56 am
Be mad at the players and/or coach, not the writers!
I agree… “Don’t shoot the messenger.” Personally, I love reading Bradley and Schultz… we’re lucky to have them in this market. Unfortunately, they work around selfish, sensitive airheads who always want their way, with nothing by praise for their teams… but couldn’t hold a candle to a cub reporter, when it comes to sports writing, let alone these two award-winning writers (with great senses of humor, which I enjoy most). Now, go have a great day, y’all!
RCB
February 25th, 2011
9:27 am
Could we just say that Florida is the best team in the SEC and we lost on the road? There will be many teams at the NCAA tournament far easier to beat than Florida at home. Lighten up.
Jborodawg
February 25th, 2011
9:29 am
Schultz is only pointing out the obvious. He’s not “dumping” on the Dawgs and he has been consistent.
Abnerish…”Our starters simply get tired. They can’t sustain the energy for 40 mins….”
I have to agree, at least somewhat. I kept wondering with about 6-7 mins to go and FL making that run, why isn’t Thornton or Brantley in there, trying to shoot a few tres to get us back in it? EG, I just don’t see substitutions being made in the 2nd halves like in the 1st halves. EG, if we’re having trouble scoring, try Thornton or Brantley for a couple minutes. I might be wrong; I might have missed the substitutions.
Lindz…”Ok Bama, Carolina and LSU suck…”
Do what?! AL is 11-2 in the SEC and leads the West.
Some of y’all are obviously fair weather fans; ready to fire coach Fox after this loss. Even with the last few losses, coach Fox has the program going in the right direction. I think he’s a very good coach and he’ll get er done. Just remember, the Dawgs had zero wins on the road last year; they had meager support at home last year. This team is just a vast improvement.
Someone commented, “…considering the talent this team supposedly has…”; And David…”They have great players but are a very average team…” Leslie and Thompkins (and Thornton) are probably the only ones who could be considered “top SEC talent”. UGA hasn’t had a ranked recruiting class in …well, maybe never. Fox has recruited a five-star player (Caldwell-Pope)…the only one we’ve had in years. He’s also getting GA talent. Compared to the “winning programs” in the SEC, we don’t have the players just yet. But, he’s working on it. Actually, coach Fox has done a pretty good job with the talent at hand.
This FL loss was almost heart-breaking in that we had such high expectations of the Dawgs going down there and beating the #13 team in the country, on their home court. We might have been expecting too much.
Nothing New
February 25th, 2011
9:32 am
First off Georgia could be a good toureny team if they make the dance. They will play teams that do not know there tendency’s which ia a big adv for Georgia that said here are the continuing problems for this team:
Trey- is very overrated and cannot put this team on his back; thinks to much out on the court and makes bad decisions. His three ball touch is gone and cannot make free throws in crunch time. ouch
Bottom line is this team does not have the winning edge or mentality to ge it done against the better competition. The dawgs have no one like a parsons who can bail them out when things go south. Dawgs had a ten point lead with 2 minutes to go in first half and cannot close out the half strong; let UF get a easy put back to cut lead to seven; not coming out the second half and playing hard. Gave up the lead to quickly; it’s little things like this that keep a team like Georgia just average…
DP
February 25th, 2011
9:33 am
Leadership on the floor needs to come from the star player, or star players if you have more than one. Thompkins spends a lot more time complaining to the officials about every foul called against him and every foul that is not called when he misses a shot than he does talking to his teammates. His body language is terrible, and he’s supposed to be a leader. No wonder Georgia tends to fold up at times. The first time they played Florida when the Florida kid hit the shot at the end of OT to send the game into double OT, Georgia’s players hung their heads and absolutely quit in the second OT.
NIT Sales
February 25th, 2011
9:33 am
Anyone know when the NIT tickets will go on sale? Also, can I buy them with an Iphone app—I travel a lot.
DawginLex
February 25th, 2011
9:35 am
NIT sales,
you must be a Tech fan??
Uh oh, losing record teams don’t make the NIT. Sorry
RDUCK
February 25th, 2011
9:38 am
aaaawwww…
Reality Check
February 25th, 2011
9:43 am
It looks like JS and all the so called Georgia fans are ready to turn on CMF just like football. The reality is this team is very much improved over last year, projecting 9 wins I think last year was 4 wins in the conference. Not sure what everyone was expecting with no real big talent upgrades from last years team that did not have a winning record. This program was in shambles win CMF got here and the improvement has been so evident that all the so called Dawg fans are whining because this team may or may not make the tournament. Even an NIT bid would be an improvement over the last 5 years. This team has flaws and is doing the best it can to manage them.
Grim Reaper
February 25th, 2011
9:43 am
“The Bulldogs instead prolonged the debate and the agony”.
Sounds like football season doesn’t it? I heard Grantham was in the stands hands to throat when the Dawgs were up by 11. Bravedawg just one more mediocre comment and its a “hobnail” boot to the curb, preferably near a hubcap or fire hydrant for you.
The Dawgs just as inept against the Gators in hoops as in football, a combined 5 wins and 32 losses versus the Gators last 37 games. Maybe they can write some columns about your tumbling and cartwheel teams so you can throw some real smack out there! Didn’t Boy George tumble for ya?
McDawg
February 25th, 2011
9:49 am
the team desparetly needs an on court leader-once gain on the verge of delivering a knock out punch that stood around and let FL get back in the game at the end of the 1st half
Robinson should not have the ball in his hands when the game is getting crazy-
i think this is a solid team and have proven they can play with anyone for 30 of 40 munutes but FINISH THE DRILL
ATLSN
February 25th, 2011
9:50 am
If you’re an Atlanta/Georgia Sports fan and want to talk with other fans, check out our NEW message board.
http://www.atlsportsnation.com/forum
We have team forums for the Falcons, Bulldogs, Hawks, Braves, Yellow Jackets, Thrashers, etc. Please register and post! Be apart of a huge site in the early days of existence. See ya there! We’re looking for posters, moderators, bloggers/writers. Join up if interested.
Joey
February 25th, 2011
9:52 am
They are a tournament team but Tompkins is not ready for NBA
schmeckdawg
February 25th, 2011
9:53 am
Can’t we beat these d-bags in anything! God I am sick of losing to the swamp lizards!!!
Grim Reaper
February 25th, 2011
9:53 am
Source: ESPN Stats and Information:
At 11-2 in the SEC, Florida has a three-game lead with three to play in the East. Florida also defeated the Bulldogs for the 14th time in the last 16 meetings. Maybe we should pay more attention to Florida.
Trivia question, who said “stats are for losers”?
“The Gators win over Georgia makes them 9-1 this season against the RPI Top 50, the most wins of anybody in the country. BYU, Ohio State, Pitt, Notre Dame, and Georgetown each have 8 wins.”
Well, there you have it, “losers”…..
Grim Reaper
February 25th, 2011
10:01 am
ATLSN posted February 25th, 2011 9:50 am:
If you’re an Atlanta/Georgia Sports fan and want to talk with other fans, check out our NEW message board.
http://www.atlsportsnation.com/forum
We have team forums for the Falcons, Bulldogs, Hawks, Braves, Yellow Jackets, Thrashers, etc. Please register and post! Be apart of a huge site in the early days of existence. See ya there! We’re looking for posters, moderators, bloggers/writers. Join up if interested.
What’s the nickname of the site? The Morgue? Group Therapy? Where the state of Georgia’s die hard fans are just one more heartbreaking loss from being taking off life support!
Just how many combined championships of all those teams add up to more than what? 3? Hahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa “The early days of existence” are just one loss, one arrest, one bee sting or dawg bite away from a quick pull of the plug! hahahahahahaha
Finkle is Einhorn
February 25th, 2011
10:02 am
Georgia needed one of those Milton players in its recruiting class. That said, Fox is building a solid program.
Paul H
February 25th, 2011
10:03 am
The 2nd half meltdowns are making me question the conditioning as well.
Oconeedawg
February 25th, 2011
10:04 am
Do they give out in the second half or what! The Gators are n ot that good.
It must be conditioning I think Coach Fox needs to work on conditioning and leadership and pride in game situtation. We beat the Gators in the first half of both game this year but ended up losing. Also the Dawgs have got to stop the other team guards from driving to the basket. Back off and let them shoot from the ouside, under pressure. I totally in agreement I think Tompkins is more interested in his position in the NBA draft than he is to start playing basketball. He will be maybe in the middle rounds of the draft. Go Dawgs!!!!
ED SINGLETON
February 25th, 2011
10:05 am
LESLIE AND TOMPKINS HAD BETTER STAY. NEITHER IS AS GOOD AS LAST YEAR, AND THEY ARE NOT READY FOR THE NBA AT ALL.
Bucket
February 25th, 2011
10:08 am
Some of you guys need to get a clue. I have been a little angered by some of Schultz’ articles about Richt, but this article is spot on!!! IMO, he should have been harsher! UGA is tanking in the second half of games by showing no heart and absolutely NO perimeter defense!
PMC
February 25th, 2011
10:10 am
didn’t see the game, I imagine the pick and roll in the second half was Georgia’s demise yet again as it was in Athens?
anon
February 25th, 2011
10:12 am
Every team that has beaten Georgia this year will be in the tournament. UGA is still a tourney team, they’ll just be a 10-11 seed.
What seed will GT be, I wonder? An 11. In the ACC tourney.
Pocaroba sausage
February 25th, 2011
10:24 am
The fact that we are even discussing UGA being in the NCAA tourny speaks to the fact that the tournament filed is too large. I’m a fan and I like the direction the program is taking but they can not and do not consistently play well enough to be considered among the nations elite. Teams like UGA should not be allowed in and possibly provide a matchup problem with a better team and get a junk NCAA victory. Keep building and when you are better then you can get in. They simply aren’t there yet and about half of the NCAA field should be cut becuase they don’t belong either.
hammerhead
February 25th, 2011
10:25 am
I have no problem with the article as written with the exception of the following, gratuitous shot: “Instead, they’ve now lost 14 of the past 16 meetings to Florida. That’s one-sided enough that maybe the basketball series should be moved to Jacksonville.”
hammerhead
February 25th, 2011
10:28 am
PMC – if anyone loses to Florida, there’s an excellent chance they lost because they failed to defend the pick and roll. It’s what Florida does and they’re damn good at it… We lost to a talented team at their place. They beat us at our place with a near miracle shot to send it to double OT. I’m just happy we’re still talking UGA baseketbal in LATE February. The improvement under Fox has been dramatic. Better days ahead.
schmeckdawg
February 25th, 2011
10:35 am
Can we have Dooley back for one game a year? Just to coach against the gayturds as he owned them. And how about brining back Durham for the two b-ball games we play these clowns. If I recall, he did pretty well against them.
Go DAWGS!!!!!!!!
JayD
February 25th, 2011
10:39 am
Amazing……. Still blaming Felton???? GA will take a step or 2 or 3 back next year. All of the experts agreed that this was the year to get to the tournament and get some things done. Not saying Fox is doing a bad job, but they are certainly under achieving – especially in a pretty weak SEC. Not sure what the problem is, but 2 yrs in to a system – You certainly can’t blame the previous coach. If anything Herrick and NCAA issues are still having an effect, but not Felton – That horse is dead! Stop kicking it – please.
Grim Reaper
February 25th, 2011
10:40 am
Hammerhead said: ” I’m just happy we’re still talking UGA baseketbal in LATE February. The improvement under Fox has been dramatic. Better days ahead.”
Here here! And you’ll be talking about basketball the day after next years loss in Jacksonville, that and when will the “dream” team turn into reality, start a “how many days till Richt is fired” meter, yes, better days are ahead, just not anytime in the near future….
Ray
February 25th, 2011
10:42 am
You know some of you fans are extremely ungrateful for what’s happen to this program when has Georgia even been relevant in the last decade or so in Basketball of all sports.
I’ve already seen improvement from this team for crying out loud we only won 14 games last year and had a record of 14-17 now this year it’s 18-9 you don’t call that improvement.
Like I said if you tried to believe the hype this year that’s your own fault cause I knew this team was too young to really make a huge splash like some of you wanted to believe.
If we even make to the second round of the NCAA Tournament I’ll feel like we overachieved this year.
C. Brown
February 25th, 2011
10:47 am
Go Gator. Coach Urban Meyer..Percy Harvy.
GT Dude
February 25th, 2011
10:52 am
you guy act as if Hewitt was your coach and you have no chance…
James
February 25th, 2011
11:04 am
I really wish GT could fire their coach and get a guy like Mark Fox. He seems like a keeper.
Good luck getting to the tournament, have fun!
OldFan
February 25th, 2011
11:09 am
No doubt the team and the coaching are better, and so the expectations are higher. There’s enough talent on this team to have won several of these lack game disasters. We seem to lapse into a defensive style of “let ‘em shoot and hope they miss” late in these close games, while we go brain dead on offensive fundamentals. Something’s missing either in the game preparation or the basic skills of these players when they play competitive opponents.
JayD
February 25th, 2011
11:10 am
The Dawgs are not getting it done – Don’t deserve to be in the Tournament as of right now. It is what it is. Maybe a couple of wins in the SEC tourney will change that – We will see.
Buckeye
February 25th, 2011
11:20 am
Any of you are welcome to hope on the Buckeye Band Wagon. No talk of will we/won’t we.
Sunday, CBS 4PM vs. Indiana. Take a look. You’ll see what a contender/ #1 seed looks like.
Bulldawg
February 25th, 2011
11:25 am
Atlanta…Imagine if we could buy alcohol on Sunday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TOM_UuQzc0
uga is STILL Gator Bait
February 25th, 2011
11:44 am
DawginLex: uga owns Tech because they won the last 2? LMFAO. You might want to do some research, son. Tech leads the series. I will give you an example of owning people. UF 18 UGA 3.
Donovan 22 uga 7. Have a nice day!
Dogs Smell
February 25th, 2011
11:52 am
Buckeye’s are funny fans. Dream almost as often as UGA fans. Except in basketball they are head and shoulders above an Athens program. Georgia why would you even hope for an NCAA berth? Do you really want to see your team lose to an Alcorn state or UTC ?
G8R GRAD
February 25th, 2011
12:08 pm
No shame in losing to the top ranked SEC program.
Coach Fox is building a fine squad.
They just need to settle down and continue to play the game that got them a ten point lead.
And the upperclassmen need to step up and lead the less exprienced through any press that defenses throw their way.
It’ll happen, with time, experience and the confidence they build.
Your biggest game now seems to be Alabama.
Good luck and . . .
GO GATORS!
Gatormeat
February 25th, 2011
12:19 pm
dogs, once again you fold in the face of Florida power. This was just a small sample of what you will get in Oct. Florida beats georgia. Again
DawginLex
February 25th, 2011
12:25 pm
Florida, enjoy it while you can.
Kentucky will go back to wiping the mat with everyone next year.
And enjoy your trip up here Saturday. The beatdown will be fun to watch in person
G8ters eat boogers
February 25th, 2011
12:32 pm
and uga is STILL Gator Bait ,
do some of your own research biggin’: UGA STILL owns the overall record vs. Turds in football!!
Chester
February 25th, 2011
12:35 pm
My how I would be embarrassed to wear a florescent orange and royal blue combination on any clothing item. Can you say “Velveta Cheese”? Not to mention those cute little fuzzy orange gators on my head!
gdawginkalamazoo
February 25th, 2011
12:35 pm
This dawg fan is proud of this team and the job that coach Fox is doing. In year two we are pushing a 20 win season and possible tourney birth. Maybe too much was expected? One thing for certain is that the program is heading in the right direction after how many years? The play in the SEC tourney will probably be the deciding factor on a bid. If we have a good showing there and show that we can last the full 40 then I think we have a shot. Go Dawgs! And please fans get out there and support this team at home.
BigDawg
February 25th, 2011
12:37 pm
Hey Dogs Smell,
Um, please explain to me how an “Alcorn State or UTC” would be seeded high enough to face UGA in the first round. You better hope they don’t disband your Jackettes B-ball team for good.
BigDawg
February 25th, 2011
12:40 pm
I agree, gdawginkalamazoo. A fantastic job has been done in year 2. The haters on here are just obsessed with belittling UGA. Dawgs just need a little more upgrade in talent and that will come.
I HATE FLORIDA
February 25th, 2011
12:41 pm
For the most part, Gator fans are classless and total cheeseballs.
Belcher
February 25th, 2011
1:04 pm
Let’s face it….not a very bright team!!
Gator fan
February 25th, 2011
1:12 pm
As a Gator fan it is definitely enjoyable to beat the Dawgs in anything. That said, I think UGA is a pretty damn good team. They have one of the most physical front courts in all of CBB. They could definitely make some noise come tourney time. If they win 2 of 3 and win at least 1 in the SEC tourney then they are in for sure. The bubble really isn’t that strong this year.
I can’t believe a UGA fan would want Leslie and Thompkins gone though (from posts above). I would imagine that if they return then UGA would have a shot at the SEC next year and deep tourney run (2nd weekend at least).
I wouldn’t trade coaches by any means but I think you guys have a good up and coming one.
UGASlobberknocker
February 25th, 2011
1:17 pm
The Dawgs are on the NCAA bubble. Tech may as well be coached by Mr. Bubble
Mr. Bubble
February 25th, 2011
1:18 pm
Not in a million years would I take that job. I have to draw the line somewhere.
Last Word
February 25th, 2011
2:49 pm
Hey, Chester & IHF:
My those grapes sound sour!
Last Word
February 25th, 2011
2:51 pm
Oh, and G8ters eat boogers:
Ditto (and learn how to spell, please)
The Gator Nation
February 25th, 2011
3:07 pm
So many positive comments, it is amazing. Get at least 2 wins out of your next 3 and uga is in the dance(it helps that the tourney added 3 teams from 65 to 68). Don’t worry about barely leading the overall series in football(national titles make me happy) or uk fans that could enjoy a 1st round Thursday game in the ga dome(btw I thought uk was a lock to win it all last season).
The SEC should get 6 teams in the tourney, uga can be a tough match-up for anyone they face.
Good luck and go SEC!
HM
February 25th, 2011
3:39 pm
2 weeks ago..”I can step up my game a lot”…Well we are still waiting. Our two “star” players are weak. Look at UF’s Parson’s. That’s how you step up your game.
Skeezix
February 25th, 2011
4:15 pm
To me they have some really good talent with which they should have a better record.
I think these dogs have to win 2/3 and then win at least one in the SEC tournament to get in. If they go 1/3, they may be out. However, if that does happen, they could redeem themselves with a very strong showing in the SEC tourney.
frelemur
February 25th, 2011
4:18 pm
Those of you bashing Thompkins and Leslie are really stupid. They are the only players you have on the team and they would both start for pretty much any team in the SEC. Fox is a good coach and looks like a pretty good recruiter. Your problem is you have average to terrible guard play and no bench. Also, this is a team with no history of winning, no real idea on how to win close games, and thats why they struggle to win these close games against the better teams in the conference or a team like Xavier. I have no idea what you’re complaining about at this point, Fox is the best coach you’ve had in years and he is just a few wins away from taking them to the tournament. It seems the expectations for your basketball team are as unrealistic as those for your football team.
George Roberts
February 25th, 2011
5:17 pm
Trey has been a disappointment this year and Travis has been up and done. Both should play their senior years. Gerald Robinson Jr, came in with high expectations and looked good against non conference foes, but has looked out of control in conference play. Too often he gets in the air with no place to go and either is called for a charge or passes to an unexpecting teammate. Although he can make the outside shot, he is not consistent. He would be better served shooting of the dribble in the lane. His speed in the open court is neutralized by team defense in the lane. We’ve taken a big step forward, but we make too many mistakes at crucial times, and we do not seem to have a take charge guy. Although our strategy is to get the ball inside, at times we are not willing to take an outside if the inside is not open.
Beast from the East
February 25th, 2011
6:36 pm
Why is it so hard to accept a loss to a top 15 team on the road that re-grouped and played a great second half? Did you really think that Donovan would not make the necessary halftime adjustments to get his team going? IMO, he’s one of the top 5 active coaches in the country. Fox has UGA headed in the right direction. Just needs to get some of these close games to convert to W’s so his kids can get gain confidence. It’s all a process that takes some time. Be proud of your team and show them some support and they might just surprise you!
Coffee Bluff DAWG
February 25th, 2011
7:00 pm
Will be at the game tomorrow night to support the DAWGS. Last night was a tough loss but UF is very good this year and a little deeper than UGA, which seemed to be the difference in the 2nd half as it has been in a few other games.
Give Fox some more time. Great programs don’t just happen overnight. Donovan was at UF for a while before he had big time success.
harold
February 25th, 2011
8:20 pm
LOOK: FACE IT: NOTHING HAS CHANGED! GEORGIA JUST PLAIN SUCKS IN FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL! BUT LIKE FOOTBALL AND OTHER DELUSIONAL FANS WE CAN DREAM WE WILL DO IT NEXT YEAR——-
KB
February 25th, 2011
11:58 pm
Fox is a heck of a coach. His team is twice as good as they were last year. No one has beat them soundly. UGA could play with anyone, but they have got to play a full 40 mins. Fox will turn this program into a respectable and great program. Give him time
trey
February 26th, 2011
7:57 am
What seed are the yellow maggots projected to go in as?
King Gator
February 26th, 2011
8:03 am
Dribbling Dawgs should be a shoe in for the Liberty Bowl! Go Gators!
michael
February 26th, 2011
9:24 am
Thompkins and Leslie both need to stay put at Georgia for their senior year. Nothing they have done this year warrants them leaving early. If they decide to leave, their draft stock will suffer.
Hoops Dawg
February 26th, 2011
12:46 pm
Gator Fan @ 1:12 hit the nail on the head about the state/quality of the UGA BB team. Yes, I have been frustrated about our repeated failure to hang on to leads. But I also know well that it takes some time to learn to win and that one belongs in the winner’s circle–and we ain’t there yet. I get a kick out of all the negative comments about the dawgs being underachievers. If y’all could go back to the early season blogs, you’d find that most knowledgeable BB fans would have expected us to win 18-20 games. Most hoped for an NIT bid and many said that with a lot of good fortune, we might sneak an NCAA bid. That’s exactly where we are at. I’d be shocked if it happened, but if Thomkins and Leslie stay, if we could get solid up front play from D. Williams and one of the two incoming bigs, and with the addition of Caldwell-Pope and 15-20 minutes per game from an improving Marcus Thornton, next years team would have a shot at the SEC (despite Kentuckys incoming class) and at winning 25-26 games. Heck, if we could hold half the leads we’ve lost in losses, we’d be a top 15 team and a 4-seed in the tournament this year. Its not that bad folks!
GaCracker
February 26th, 2011
4:40 pm
Either the dogs need to use more of their bench or get in better shape. They just start to wilt in the final 10 minutes on both offense and rebounding. Start getting to the foul line more often and getting players in foul troulbe as they did with Tennessee.
College Basketball Betting: Florida Gators vs. Kentucky Wildcats Pick – Fast Line Sports | Bet 31
February 26th, 2011
4:53 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Jborodawg
February 26th, 2011
6:31 pm
Gator fan@1:12 pm….that’s a class post, and spot on regarding Leslie, Thompkins and Fox.
frelemur@4:18pm; Beast from the East @6:36 pm; and Hoops Dawg@12:46pm…ditto and right on.
I also think Thompkins will forgo his senior year. But I do wish he’d stay.
Wes Durham's Extra Large Waist Size
February 26th, 2011
11:50 pm
Schultz,
Why do you love to throw UGA under the bus when we lose but NEVER write about us when we win? Second, I have not seen you write about Tech’s woes in over a month. If UGA lost in basketball like Tech, you would have Fox all but fired by now. I am sure you will claim these is no bias bit the facts clearly demonstrate otherwise.
I will await your response.
King Gator
February 28th, 2011
2:31 pm
^Schultzie is a secret Gator fan and hates the Dawgs…. lighten up Francis, I’m sure he could care less. ^
Michael
March 3rd, 2011
1:17 pm
March Madness (TM) has segmented college B Ball so much that I never watch regular season games. I am shocked UGA has 20 wins since I never see a game. I hear results on the radio but this morning heard 20 wins?!