In beating the regal Big Blue, UGA proves it’s big-time, too
Gerald Robinson and Trey Thompkins: Some darn good Dawgs. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
ATHENS – We might have seen the eventual SEC champion here Saturday, and that team mightn’t be the one you’d think. The Georgia Bulldogs looked snooty Kentucky in the eye and weren’t overly impressed by what they saw. The Bulldogs, see, have reason to believe they’re the class of this league, and this result did nothing to dissuade them.
Said Trey Thompkins, surely the SEC’s best player: “We expect to play with teams like Kentucky and Tennessee and Florida. … We feel like we can play with anybody.”
Georgia beat Kentucky 77-70, and it was no home-court fluke. Georgia was the better side for 35 of the 40 minutes. It built an early lead, saw it disappear not long after halftime and then rebuilt it. It was just as Mark Fox, the canny Georgia coach, said it would be.
Here’s what Fox said he told his Bulldogs, who led by 11 at halftime: “[That] we were mature enough to play 40 minutes, mature enough to withstand the run we knew they were going to make. We’re an older team now, and we should be able to finish this type of game.”
And there’s the key reason — one of two key reasons, actually — that Georgia has a chance to serious damage: The Bulldogs are seasoned in a way most big-time college teams aren’t. They start a senior and four juniors. Most of these guys suffered through the final days of Dennis Felton and have found in Fox the man who could maximize their potential.
It’s also clear, in the cold light of hindsight, that Felton’s final recruiting class was his best: Thompkins was in it, and so were Travis Leslie and Dustin Ware. Thing was, Felton’s grind-it-out style would never have showcased their talents. Georgia needed a tactician for that, and Damon Evans, then Georgia’s athletic director, found a Fox for his Hounds.
This correspondent trashed the Fox hire, and this correspondent was as wrong as he has ever been on anything. (Which is saying something.) Fox can sketch X’s and O’s with anybody, and Saturday he outdrew the head Wildcat. John Calipari’s methodology is to recruit one-and-dones and let them freelance off his dribble-drive offense. Fox runs Tex Winter’s old triangle — most know it as Phil Jackson’s triangle — and in this team he has the requisite three sides.
Georgia got the ball where it wanted more often Saturday and found better shots. (It made 44.9 percent of its shots to Kentucky’s 38 percent.) It fed Thompkins early — he had 14 points in 17 first-half minutes — and allowed its guards to shoot when Calipari switched to a zone to keep Thompkins from setting some sort of record. But come the game’s biggest possession, Georgia up five inside the final three minutes, guess where the ball went?
Thompkins on the right baseline. Thompkins turning for a half-hook. Thompkins making it a seven-point game.
Fox: “It was a called play and a big basket. We were going to him, and he made a player-of-the-year-type play.”
Some coaches outsmart themselves by eschewing their main man for fear of a defense overload. Fox sees it more simply: When you’ve got the best player on the floor, you get him the ball.
Thompkins: “He drew up the play. He’s a mastermind.”
Does the play have a name? Said Thompkins, smiling: “It does, but I can’t tell you.”
Whenever Kentucky comes to town, there’s going to be top-shelf talent on display. What was revelatory Saturday was that Georgia had just as many good players as the big-ticket Big Blue. Asked if this was an upset, Leslie said: “Not really. I knew had the tools to compete.”
Asked what he thought after he had watched tape of Kentucky: “I didn’t think we’d be totally outclassed.”
This team won’t be outclassed by anyone it sees. It has the players, it has the blend, and it darn sure has a coach. Georgia could/should be in the SEC East chase until the last dog dies, and don’t be surprised if the last dog standing is a Bulldog.
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
228 comments Add your comment
Bravesfan79
January 8th, 2011
8:32 pm
As a longtime hardcore GT hoops fan, i gotta say its nice to see a good coach in the state getting the best of his players. Go UGA.. win the SEC! And i dont think ive really followed UGA since they had Damien Wilkens.
Tweets that mention In beating the regal Big Blue, UGA proves it's big-time, too | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
January 8th, 2011
8:33 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, Matthew Ficken. Matthew Ficken said: Maybe UGA can start being a basketball school… In beating the regal Big Blue, UGA proves it's big-time, too http://t.co/nfbCtHO [...]
TampaDawg
January 8th, 2011
8:33 pm
Good point rxdawg. It was a nice win, but gotta do well against Tenn, Fla, Vandy, and USC too. Have to play better on the road and be conistant every game and not just ones they are fired up for.
marseilles, mutt
January 8th, 2011
8:34 pm
Hey McGarrity, maybe you ought to get Hewitt’s attorney to draw up Fox’s new contract…or then again…
Boy we needed that! Go Dogs!
Chris
January 8th, 2011
8:35 pm
I SAID IT’S GREAT TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDOG! Good win guys…keep it going!
THOROUGHBRED
January 8th, 2011
8:36 pm
@ Todd grantham your right UGA can’t rely on free throw shooting like that. UGA shot 34 free throws to UK’s 16. UK won’t win a game when Lamb fouls out? Wrong UK won’t win any games when Terrance Jones get in foul trouble. UK will struggle every game if they get in foul trouble without any depth. Jones was in foul trouble all game and still had 24pts only playing 23 mins. Not so sure Fox out coached Calipari even though Fox is really good coach. UK missed 6 free throws, shot 6 of 20 on 3’s. If UK hits a few more free throws and another 3 pointer or two drops it’s a different story. Plus any team that shoots 18 more free throws than the other team when the rebounds and turnover margins were close like they were you should win. Can’t really give Fox credit for out coaching Calipari in this victory.
Mark Bradley yeah yeah we know you are a UK grad but we know you are a louisville fan.
Whopper Dawg
January 8th, 2011
8:39 pm
Damnation, isn’t good to have a program that is going in a very positive direction. Loving it!!!!!!
kral
January 8th, 2011
8:40 pm
I am excited about this win as anybody but markie do not go overboard it is a loong season…injuries, away games ..we have a great bb coach, but I still think we have a great fb coach…time will tell..but i loved Coach Fox and players
Whopper Dawg
January 8th, 2011
8:41 pm
I live right outside of Memphis unfortunately. Cal never, ever stresses the fundamentals especially free throws. His teams in Memphis were atrocious at the line, his response to this and this is a quote from radio “Why should I stress free throws, we can just make another three and make it up”. Seriously.
kral
January 8th, 2011
8:43 pm
good-nite all pledged not to blog and let fartheads writers and bloggers get under my skin for 2011..not worth the effort
eddie willers
January 8th, 2011
8:50 pm
The Dogs won and the Saints lost.
Great day!
NRBQ
January 8th, 2011
8:50 pm
Funny. It’s almost 9pm, and there’s not one link on AJCSPORTS.com about Tech’s shameful performance vs B.C.
Not even a tweet.
Meanwhile, dweebs are bemoaning basketball “academic standards” at Tech.
Priceless.
DawginOH
January 8th, 2011
8:50 pm
Congrats on the big win, hoop Dawgs!
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 8th, 2011
8:52 pm
Mark
I think some Dawg fans would this was Karma for you picking on coach Richt and the football dawgs.
LongSufferingDawg
January 8th, 2011
8:53 pm
I try not to feed trolls, but D A Double U G, would you and all your buddies who insist on bringing football into basketball posts, go fondle your Vince Dooley and Hershel Walker signed balls or something. Believe it or not, a few (and I know it is very few) UGA alums prefer basketball to football.
After being at Florida, McGarity has seen that you can have a successful football and basketball program. He saw a lot of money going to keep Billy Donovan, so I’m sure he will pony up the cash to keep Coach Fox if he needs to.
And before you even start with “football pays the bills” I know, but I still don’t care. In fact, ya’ll keep sending in that money so we can pay to keep Mark Fox.
cptzzggyy
January 8th, 2011
8:54 pm
Damien Wilkins??????????????
From Where I Sit
January 8th, 2011
9:00 pm
Funny, Mark, Funny.
UGA Basketball or Sports in general, what a JOKE! LMAO!!!!
D A Double U G
January 8th, 2011
9:06 pm
Fun Fact:
Georgia Tech has only won 1 football game since the Cam Newton saga began…… Against Duke
dbc
January 8th, 2011
9:09 pm
When is the last time anyone read a sentence with these three words in it — maximize, potential, Mark.
MontyP
January 8th, 2011
9:10 pm
Honestly, McGarity is not letting Fox slip away. A lot of big recruits at the game today. Great impression on them I’m sure! Go Dawgs!
JB
January 8th, 2011
9:20 pm
Soooo, Richt won the SEC with Donnan’s players…….what about the 2nd time in 2005?
SoCal Dawg
January 8th, 2011
9:22 pm
After I read up on Fox and saw his first interview I posted we would be playing in March in 3 years… looks like it may be 2. Great game! Go Dawgs!
bruce mac
January 8th, 2011
9:24 pm
What is with all the paranoia. We have lost one coach in 40 years and he went to Kentucky. Of course if KY, or Duke, or NC want Fox they will get him. Otherwise, he is set to make a bunch of money and establish the Dawgs as legit. He is not leaving for Austin Peau for goodness sake. I am gonna sit back and enjoy the ride. Is UGA now on par with KY or Duke? Of course not, but we are in the conversation. GO DAWGS, love me some CMF.
SoCal Dawg
January 8th, 2011
9:35 pm
bruce mac- Agreed. A “non basketball school” becomes a basketball school when you put out a good product. UGA will never have the fan base of Duke or the Wildcats but there are plenty of bb fans in GA you just have to give us a competitive product. Felton’s last year I watched a hand full of games and never would have traveled 2 hours to a game. Last year under Fox (with a losing season) I watched every game I could. Go Dawgs!
Georgia Girl
January 8th, 2011
9:36 pm
Enter your comments here
Georgia Girl
January 8th, 2011
9:37 pm
Mark Fox is a family friend. SO proud of him and what he is doing with Georgia Basketball! GO DAWGS!
82Dawg
January 8th, 2011
9:38 pm
@HT….that is probably what you were saying after Richt won his first SEC championship. Either your a UGA fan or not. You have to support who is part of the team not just the people you like..oh yea BAN HERSCHEL TALKER
Upstate Dawg
January 8th, 2011
9:43 pm
Great game today in Athens…the atmosphere was electric and the team hunkered down to pull away at the end. To me, the keys to the game were free throws and turnovers. At 88%, we definitely came through from the line. The turnovers in the second half allowed UK to get back in the game. The close games played up to this point gave the team confidence to prevail. SEC Champs? A little pre-mature for that but we should be in the hunt. GO DAWGS!
Herschel Talker is a girly man
January 8th, 2011
9:51 pm
How can such a loser as the turd calling himself Herschel Talker have enough gall to even use the name of Herschel? He obviously is not a UGA fan as evidenced by his constant whining about Coach Richt. I think he has a crush on the coach but since Coach Richt is a married man of high Christian values there is no chance of Herschel Talker getting a date. This must torment this loser and his only recourse is to strike back at the coach.. Mr talker man you need to hang out in the gay clubs in Atlanta and stay off the blogs. You will give the AJC a name worse than it has by continuing your rantings about your being rejected by your idol. The real Herschel should get you in the ring and whip your bony butt until you stop abusing his name,
collegeballfan
January 8th, 2011
9:53 pm
UGA has one of the best basketball coaches in the SEC. The best in the State. Yet Coiach Fox has a problem at UGA this is his problem. The day before the 10th rated Kentucky Wildcats arrive in Athens to play the Bulldogs, the “Junkyard Blawg” blog does a column on the football team. With “friends” like Bill King Coach Fox does not need any enemies.
I consider this a disgrace.
JD
January 8th, 2011
10:02 pm
You are so predictable. Jump on the wagon and ride it as long as you can..Just as soon as the team has a bad run your will trash them. Go ahead and write your article and just fill in the team or teams as they play the schedule….Consistancy is needed. Wait until the dawgs win in the SEC consistantly and win the tournament before you crown them SEC Champions. You seem to have been listening too much to the football fans or espn when they rank the football dogs #1.
Jay
January 8th, 2011
10:02 pm
Please who cares about college basketball. Write about how the packers will beat philly and the falcons get stuck playing the packers and not an easy out with the seahawks.
this is why the seeding needs to be based on record. some moron on the ajc wrote that seattle’s win puts an end to reseeding. huh? the opposite is true. what need to happen is seattle should have been the home team for winning their division but the 6th seed based on record. cause record is what it’s all about. then they would be coming here. the bears likely just got an easy out. never thought i’d be rooting for vick and philly.
Norman Cowans
January 8th, 2011
10:04 pm
Any chance Fox can coach football or play tailback?
Lakedawg
January 8th, 2011
10:04 pm
Great win today for basketball and football teams, several recruits at game for both teams. Mark Fox we need to keep around for many years. 2011 SEC champioship in BB and FB, could happen.
Herschel Talker you need to get together with that other wuss Fran Tarkenton and take a romantic trip back to wherever you came from.
Inlet Dawg
January 8th, 2011
10:07 pm
Finally some good news
Paul Hewitt
January 8th, 2011
10:11 pm
If Atlanta showed me and my team the love they show the Braves and the Falcons, we would have won today.
Farnsworthy
January 8th, 2011
10:14 pm
I’m glad the bulldogs beat that cheatin Calipari.
Mark Bradley
January 8th, 2011
10:16 pm
Sorry to have been distant, but I ducked out quick after filing. I was needed at home. But here I am, needed no more.
ruppcat
January 8th, 2011
10:23 pm
uga shoots 30/34 (88%) free throws compared to 10/16 for UK. ummmm…..just saying.
this is the same team that had been making 62.2% of its free throws for the season.
prediction….dawgs lay an egg at vandy on wednesday.
ssidawg
January 8th, 2011
10:39 pm
So nice for the Bulldawg Nation to finally have some to be proud of!! Way to go Fox and the Hounds!!
Herschel Talker
January 8th, 2011
10:42 pm
TO ALL THE IDIOTS OUT THERE, NOTABLY 82DAWG:
HOW IS IT THAT WHEN YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT A PATHETIC COACH WHO HAS TURNED OUR PROGRAM INTO A MEDIOCRE LAUGHINGSTOCK, ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU’RE “NOT A REAL FAN”?
HERE’S THE FUNNIEST LINE OF THE YEAR BY THAT CLOWN 82DAWG, WHO OBVIOUSLY FLIPS FRIES FOR A LIVING AND MAY BE ONE OF THE FIVE DUMBEST PEOPLE ALIVE: “EITHER YOUR A DOG FAN OR NOT” REAL BRILLIANT COMMENT. I GUESS ONLY “REAL” UGA FANS DON’T CALL FOR THE TERMINATION OF UNDERACHIEVING COACHES.
ALL YOU FOOLS WHO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT MARK RICHT ARE BUFFOONS. INSTEAD OF US GOING OUT AND GETTING A WINNER OF A COACH, YA’LL ARE STILL ENJOYING 2002. GET A LIFE YOU FOOLS.
HT
BoWeevil
January 8th, 2011
10:43 pm
Kentucky is not as great a team, because it is so young. They also do not have as much depth on their team as we do.
Darius Miller is not a good shooter. He can make free throws; and that is about it.
DeAndre Liggins would not start for Mark Fox. Mark Fox would not even recruit DeAndre Liggins.
That those guys both start for John Calipari instead of Doron Lamb tells you all you need to know about John Calipari.
10,523 in attendance on HDTV.
Now, there is a difference between the 2 men’s basketball teams. A Cow Palace in the School of Agriculture is not what Mark Fox should have to play in. We need a gym with twice that seating. We have held back both our men’s and women’s basketball, unwilling as Damon Evans was to spend money he didn’t have. Pardon me, there is something called a 30-year loan. A mortgage. A loan. This entire nation lives on that dream.
Mark Fox has recruited very well. He has a ton of talent.
Terrence Jones doesn’t shoot free throws well and he doesn’t shoot 3-point shots well. But, his real issues also include that he has fouled way too much and John Calipari has done nothing about it all season long.
Josh Harrellson is gangly and awkward. The only area of his game that is great is rebounding position and free throw shooting.
Brandon Knight is a fine basketball player.
7-Deep, Mark Fox has recruited us better basketball players. He also has kept them here, having them buy into his system. He has taught these players how to play as a team. He has taught them each skills they will use the rest of their lives. He is a proven men’s basketball coach who is a far better coach in his game, than Mark Richt is in his. Mark Fox’s program is better off than Mark Richt’s as well.
He has better players and they are better coached.
Trey Thompkins is a great basketball player out of Lithonia, who in his 3rd year here, has become a better shooter every year.
todd grantham
January 8th, 2011
10:44 pm
back at unfashionable south cobb
Dawg Whisperer
January 8th, 2011
10:48 pm
Let’s hope Kentucky keeps their paws to themselves and allows UGA to hang onto it’s coach for a few years. Fox may be the best coach in the SEC.
Arthur Redding, Jr.
January 8th, 2011
10:49 pm
As Jeff Schult wrote, Fox has changed the psychology in the UGA basketball program. That’s a big and necessay first step. Felton is a good guy, but by the time his last season was ending, “the psychology” was dismal. Fox and his coaches and players deserve a lot of credit.
According to the TV announcers, there were plenty of potential recruits at the game–I hope so. The state of GA produces plenty of top basketball talent. There’s reason to believe, with this changed atmosphere, that more of them will choose to stay home. And since I’m that rare bird who likes to see GT do well also–I went to UGA; my father went to GT–I’d like to see the 2 schools sweep up the state’s best talent.
Note: Luke Wynn over on Sports Illustrated’s site just put out an article on the game and UGA basketball.
jwall
January 8th, 2011
10:50 pm
Enter your comments here
jwall
January 8th, 2011
10:54 pm
@ todd grantham You keep saying mark won with donnan’s players, but mark has been here for ten years.
todd grantham
January 8th, 2011
10:54 pm
great game between jets and colts
todd grantham
January 8th, 2011
10:55 pm
jwall, check Richt’s record and learn
charliecole
January 8th, 2011
10:57 pm
http://www.secsportsworld.blogspot.com for sec news