Georgia in the NCAA: A good team that still might get it right
The bright lights of the Big Dance shine on the Bulldogs' media session. (Photo by M. Bradley)
Charlotte — Sometimes I feel I’m the lone ranger. I watch Georgia and I see good players, a good coach and a good team. Others wonder why this team made the NCAA tournament field. So I asked Lorenzo Romar about the Bulldogs, and now I don’t feel so all alone.
Said Romar, whose Washington Huskies will play Georgia on Friday: “I definitely don’t see a team that shouldn’t be here. They’re physical. In the paint they’re more than capable of playing well and competing against any team. They’re well-coached. They have a system that you can see they’re disciplined in. They have great quickness, and they really do a good job defending.”
Then, regarding Mark Fox: “You can see he has them playing the right right way. I’m really impressed with how he goes about handling his business.”
Then, regarding Trey Thompkins, the Georgia forward Romar coached this summer as part the USA Select team: “He was good … I loved his attitude, his mobility, his versatility. Just a nice stroke. Has great hands.”
Then, regarding the other Bulldogs: “Travis Leslie is a phenomenal athlete … He can run like a gazelle. And their guard play is good as well. They have good quickness on the perimeter. They have a real good blend.”
About here, I nearly jumped up and said, “Exactly!” I managed to restrain myself, but it’s always nice to hear a learned basketball man say pretty much what you’ve thought for four months: That these Bulldogs have it within them to be a big-time basketball team.
I admit they haven’t always behaved that way. That’s how they came to lose 11 games and nearly play themselves out of the Big Dance. But there’s not much Georgia can’t do: They can shoot it and they can score down low and they can defend and they’re seasoned. (They start four juniors and a senior.) That said …
I expected more. I expected Georgia to win more close games along the SEC trail than it has. I didn’t expect the Bulldogs to blow a 14-point lead inside the final seven minutes against Alabama last week. I can understand why outsiders don’t expect much from this team in this tournament — at 5 1/2 points, Washington is the biggest favorite by far among the No. 7 seeds — but I also keep thinking there’s more to this team than we’ve seen.
Either we’ll see it Friday or we’ll spend the summer wondering why we didn’t. Washington can be beaten. (The Huskies have lost 10 games and finished third in the not-very-hot Pac-10.) This stands to be one of those fast-versus-slow deals, as they say in NASCAR: Washington runs and presses and averages 83.5 points; Georgia prefers to settle into its half-court triangle and averages 69.8.
Loading ...Whichever team can make the game move at its speed figures to win, and in the NCAA tournament, with its heightened tension and longer timeouts, it’s easier for a deliberate team to slow a faster opponent than for the quicker side to mash on the gas. Although Romar did say: “As the season has evolved, we’ve learned from our mistakes. We have better patience.”
As for Georgia, Fox said: “We’ve always tried to play as fast as we can play well, and we’ll have to try to find that balance.”
This one seems simple: Either the 5-foot-9 Isaiah Thomas flits through Georgia’s defense and the Huskies score big, or the Bulldogs hunker down and clog the lane and guard the perimeter — doing both isn’t easy — and the underdog carries the day.
I’ve waited all year to see Georgia win big games, and it has won a couple. It’s probably wrong to expect this team to win a couple more this weekend in the crucible of the NCAA tournament, but that’s why I’m the lone ranger. After all their near-misses, I still expect the Bulldogs to get it right. I expect them to frustrate the Huskies. I expect the team that wasn’t sure it would make the field to be playing Sunday.
By Mark Bradley
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159 comments Add your comment
Delta Stewardess
March 17th, 2011
8:15 pm
Terry 10% times 5 wives is not a lot.
Terry Funk @ Delta
March 17th, 2011
8:19 pm
I read National Geographic….the 5 wives all get welfare $$$..(technically that aren’t wives) we’re paying for those children….now u know..!!!!!!
Delta Stewardess
March 17th, 2011
8:19 pm
A Mormon man fell in love with me 5 times in 2 years. He never shaved or cut his hair so I thought he was a different guy every time. After Rumspringa he had some NEW moves so to speak. That Farmer could PLOW.
Terry Funk @ Delta
March 17th, 2011
8:21 pm
he’s a cheater and he likes um young….calm down..he’ll hurt you Delta
Delta Stewardess
March 17th, 2011
8:21 pm
Enter your comments here
Delta Stewardess
March 17th, 2011
8:26 pm
Terry actually you are wrong about the WELFARE. The Mormon women do not do Govt. assistance like the Blacks, Whites and Hispanics do. I don’t agree with their lifestyle, but they provide for their own. You will not see a Mormon town looking for help like New Orleans.
Delta Stewardess
March 17th, 2011
8:27 pm
I am saying Kansas or Duke are this years NATIONAL CHAMPIONS. I am getting back to the Basketball Talk.
smittydawg
March 17th, 2011
8:35 pm
Our guard play is no where it needs to be; Robinson, Ware, Leslie all turn the ball over in pressure situations (hence, why we lose so many leads). Only Ware has been consistent shooting from the outside and he only shoots 2-3 times per game. It’s hard to win in the tourney without good, consistent guard play and we simply don’t have it.
HERE YOU GO Priceless
March 17th, 2011
9:12 pm
Mark Price Craig Neal Mark Price Craig Neal Mark Price Craig Neal
wow big surprise, a quote from former GT player Drew Barry on who ought to coach at GT:
(I think that’s all overrated,” Barry said. “[Price] has played at every level and been highly successful. If you don’t think he doesn’t know basketball and can’t teach it, you’re crazy. Coaching is all about knowing the game and getting the maximum about every players you have.
“I’ve trained with Mark, I know he’s capable of doing that. I’ve worked out with Craig Neal, I know he’s capable of doing that. You can’t go wrong in hiring people like that.”)
thank you a Drew Barry for your comments, how some of you think that you have to start at Grad Assistant and work your way up is how it is, it may be if you are the 3rd string walk on or the water boy. But how any of you GT people could think Price isn’t qualified is beyond me. I guess you same people would tell Larry Byrd the same thing had he called a few years back that he must start at grad assistant. ha
dawgerbrown
March 17th, 2011
9:24 pm
Mark, I agree with everything you say about the DAWGS. They are athletic, talented, and well coached. However, I think their shortcoming is something that can’t be measured. A team that blows as many second half leads and gets out rebounded in the second half, or, when the game is on the line lacks heart. That is something that can’t be coached. The kids have to commit to giving all they have when the game is on the line.
30% graduation rate for most UGA basketball players
March 17th, 2011
10:06 pm
Not so good.
DHD
March 17th, 2011
10:20 pm
A shot at WHAT? One win? So does Morehead State. That’s the nature of these games.
Katherine
March 17th, 2011
10:27 pm
Terry Funk @ Delta
March 17th, 2011
8:19 pm
I read National Geographic….the 5 wives all get welfare $$$..(technically that aren’t wives) we’re paying for those children….now u know..!!!!!!
Ok…mormons don’t believe in polygamy…..its is illegal and the ones that do it have been excommunicated from the church. I think hating on jimmer just because he is mormon is stupid…he is a very good player….get over it.
JD
March 17th, 2011
10:28 pm
Look I’m really crossing my fingers here hoping the Dogs don’t just roll over now that they’re in the Dance. But after watching UW and AZ last weekend, Isaiah Thomas is a force at PG. We get to see just how good we can play defense when we want to I guess….ought to be a close game…
Katherine
March 17th, 2011
10:29 pm
I hope no one giving the dawgs a chance motivates them to prove everyone wrong!
70 tons of trash
March 17th, 2011
10:34 pm
Yep.. The sec is weak and it will show vs. Wash..
Delta Stewardess
March 17th, 2011
10:34 pm
Kat
You know there is no Man that can EVER be MAN ENOUGH to be a husband to 1 woman much less 2+. HHAHA we know better no matter what the men think.
Delta Stewardess
March 17th, 2011
10:37 pm
I will pull for my dawgs but HUSKIES run as a pack as a team. I don’t think the Dawgs have a TEAQM ready to make a run. I hope for better but I am not sure the boys can do it.
Katherine
March 17th, 2011
10:48 pm
Delta Stewardess
March 17th, 2011
10:34 pm
Kat
You know there is no Man that can EVER be MAN ENOUGH to be a husband to 1 woman much less 2+. HHAHA we know better no matter what the men think.
umm…well I personally don’t care what people do or who they are “married” to lol I don’t see why those women short change themselves though….
just the truth
March 17th, 2011
10:56 pm
Come on ………. can’t you see that Bradley is reeling you idiots in just to sucker punch you !! No wonder you pull for the Dawgs. Bunch of idiots !!
Otis My Man
March 17th, 2011
10:59 pm
Let me start with… who is Otis? Well he is (otis my man-aka otis for UGA on facebook) Anyway, Otis knows these dogs and he is not about to give into some cold weather “huskies” we are playing in the south and after we dispatch the “Huskies” we will take care of the ??”orange men”?? what the hell is and orange man? next are the Tar Heels (just refer to 1982-1983 for that answer) Finally we have some competition against OSU and win at the buzzer. Unfortunately we lose to Duke on the fianl shot and Duke Wins it all against ND. But overall a win for the Foxy’s DAWGS!!
just the truth
March 17th, 2011
11:00 pm
Also for you people who think that the Tech job will or should go to a tech man how loud can I say NO IT WANT !!. It already been decided and the new coach has accepted and is waiting.
Otis My Man
March 17th, 2011
11:02 pm
I think I messed up the order of our conquests– but is doesnt matter UNC then Syracuse.. We win either way. It just symantecs!
Tuna
March 17th, 2011
11:02 pm
I will root hard for my Dawgs (Georgia, that is) but the only way I see them getting past UW is if Price and Ware show up with big performances (to take the pressure off of Thompkins and Leslie) and Robinson gets his head out of his rear-end and doesn’t force stupid turnovers. Also need solid bench minutes from Thornton, Brantley and the Williams duo. Would love to see Brantley stroke some three’s off the bench.
Otis my BEE
March 17th, 2011
11:04 pm
We want the Babul Brothers for Techs next coach(s) Jon for Head and Mike for Asst. Get some smart youthful talent there!
Katherine
March 17th, 2011
11:06 pm
just the truth
March 17th, 2011
10:56 pm
Come on ………. can’t you see that Bradley is reeling you idiots in just to sucker punch you !! No wonder you pull for the Dawgs. Bunch of idiots !!
Go away loser….we can root for our team with no apologies…..go root for your team and mind your own business.
EDIMGIUSAFAD
March 17th, 2011
11:09 pm
UGA – One and done…………count on it.
Katherine
March 17th, 2011
11:11 pm
EDIMGIUSAFAD
March 17th, 2011
11:09 pm
UGA – One and done…………count on it.
It can happen to the best of teams…ask louisville. You don’t know anything yet….why don’t you just wait and see…they might surprise you..but I have a feeling you aren’t a dawg fan anyway and just want to try to start trouble….who is your team btw?
Artie
March 17th, 2011
11:12 pm
I want some of what MB is smoking!!! UGA gets ousted in the first game!!!
Artie
March 17th, 2011
11:13 pm
Uh, Katherine…UGA’s last game is ALL the proof I need.
Katherine
March 17th, 2011
11:27 pm
Artie
March 17th, 2011
11:13 pm
Uh, Katherine…UGA’s last game is ALL the proof I need.
Are you a dawg fan? If so then you just have to have fun, watch the game and be happy if they win. If not…why are you here?
Buckeye
March 17th, 2011
11:29 pm
5 games – self imposed by Tressel. Good enough for you or do you want more blood?
Buckeye
March 17th, 2011
11:30 pm
Stewardess,
Go de-ice something, will you?
JSS
March 17th, 2011
11:39 pm
@ Buckeye…
You know everyone outside of the Ohio State family wants more blood… Thus happens when Caesar comes in the Public square… Your enemies will await your fall…
patrickfromseattle
March 17th, 2011
11:45 pm
UW really has been inconsistent, losing to teams like Stanford and Oregon who aren’t very good, but before they lost some guys to injury they were one of the best teams in the country. At the same time UGA sounds a lot like USC with their bigs who can clog the lane, which gave the Huskies trouble. Should be a good game but UW has the experience and Romar knows how to win in the Dance. They’ve won 4 first round games in a row. If UW can keep playing like they did in the Pac 10 tourney they’ll get past UGA and UNC. They’ve got the talent. Good luck.
SE GA UGA Fan
March 17th, 2011
11:51 pm
Thanks so much for writing a positive blog about the UGA Dawgs! Let’s hope they follow all the good recommendations from you and their coaches to a first round victory. (Hey, it’s rare you AJC writers do any positive commentating about UGA!) Love it, and please keep it up…..
Hoopster
March 17th, 2011
11:56 pm
UDub will run them out of the gym.
JSS
March 17th, 2011
11:59 pm
Actually Patrick, they (UGA bigs) did not do that well excluding Thompkins. Price, while vastly improved is an adventure every game. Leslie on the other is as athletically gifted as any player in this Nation. He can be jaw dropping spectacular. Their problem is they have no ability to handle extended pressure or take care of ball.
icedawg
March 17th, 2011
11:59 pm
I want to believe the DAWGS will win their first one. They have a penchant for getting the early lead only to fade in the end. If they can avoid that they can stay in the comp. Go DAWGS!!
thwg
March 18th, 2011
12:11 am
I used to have respect for you Mark, but this is one of the most hysterical predictions you’ve ever made. Don’t dimish your credibility by being such a pathetic homer to get view. UGA is a pathetic team from a pathetic conference and will loose big to the Huskies, so they will never get a shot at the Tarheels. Looking forward to coming back tomorrow night and rubbing it in.
patrickfromseattle
March 18th, 2011
12:15 am
JSS, that could really work in the Huskies favor. They’re at their best when they’re forcing turnovers and getting up and down the court like they were in the Pac10 tourney. They started a smaller lineup in those games but even when they go small they have a lot of length. Each guy is athletic and active defensively. You’re going to hate Venoy Overton by this time tomorrow. One of the best man to man guys in the conference but one of those players that everyone hates but his own teams fans. You’re going to be impressed with Isaiah Thomas though. Every bit as good as Kemba Walker, Brandon Knight, Kyrie Irving just doesn’t get the love cause he’s 5′8″ and plays in the Pacific Northwest. If your bigs can’t slow him down and our guys are hitting shots, it could get ugly. Terrence Ross and CJ Wilcox could have big games.
patrickfromseattle
March 18th, 2011
12:18 am
JSS, that could really work in the Huskies favor. They’re at their best when they’re forcing turnovers and getting up and down the court like they were in the Pac10 tourney. They started a smaller lineup in those games but even when they go small they have a lot of length. Each guy is athletic and active defensively. You’re going to hate Venoy Overton by this time tomorrow. One of the best man to man guys in the conference but one of those players that everyone hates but his own teams fans.
patrickfromseattle
March 18th, 2011
12:19 am
You’re going to be impressed with Isaiah Thomas though. Every bit as good as Kemba Walker, Brandon Knight, Kyrie Irving just doesn’t get the love cause he’s 5′8″ and plays in the Pacific Northwest. If your bigs can’t slow him down and our guys are hitting shots, it could get ugly. Terrence Ross and CJ Wilcox could have big games.
Lone ranger
March 18th, 2011
12:20 am
Hey Lone Ranger…I mean Mark Bradley.
Weren’t you the same blogger that criticized UGA for hiring Mark Fox, calling it a “bad hire”?
patrickfromseattle
March 18th, 2011
12:24 am
Enter your comments hereYou’re going to be impressed with Isaiah Thomas though. Every bit as good as Kemba Walker, Brandon Knight, Kyrie Irving just doesn’t get the love cause he’s 5′8″ and plays in the Pacific Northwest. If your bigs can’t slow him down and our guys are hitting shots, it could get ugly. Terrence Ross and CJ Wilcox could have big games.
JSS
March 18th, 2011
12:32 am
@ Patrick… Yep, that is the deep fear of the Georgia fans. They see so little of the PAC-10 that they think they are those soft jump shooting teams like Oregon and Stanford was back in the mid decade. I’ve been warning folks that don’t let that mid season hiccup fool you. Once they got that kid’s legal problems straightened out, the Huskies were the team that closed out last two years minus a rebounding machine like Brockman. I just think a lot of them hope the team that beat Kentucky is going to pull a rabbit out of Fox’s hat… I’m not a UGA fan, so I have no dog in the fight as they say…
Cinco de Julio
March 18th, 2011
1:07 am
As GT fan first and a BB fan 2nd ( after Clt 49ers), I hope ( hard to say) that UGA does well ..good coach!
reality check
March 18th, 2011
1:15 am
The “hounds” win but of the purple variety and not the red and black.
Big East is over rated, SEC is not strong enough and ACC is weak.
reality check
March 18th, 2011
1:17 am
Purple hounds win this one. Dawgs on the rise but not there yet. Trouble is we loose many stars for next year. Kind of under achieved in many respects even though we are a good team.
Big East is over rated, SEC not as strong as maybe we thought. ACC is weaker than water other than Duke and NC.
college is forever
March 18th, 2011
1:41 am
http://www.collegelunchboxes.com Go Dawgs, Beat the Huskies!!