The UGA notebook: Richt on turnovers, Fox on tournament and draft
Cleaning out the notebook:
- A couple of months back, while many college basketball coaches were pushing to swell the NCAA tournament from 65 teams to 96, Georgia’s Mark Fox argued for a much more modest expansion to 68 teams. As you’ve heard, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee last week recommended an expansion . . . to 68.
Didn’t realize how much clout you had, I said to Fox. . . .
“How about that?” he replied with a laugh. “I was the only one preaching that [a while ago]. I’m glad they expanded. Certainly, as you know, I supported 68 before people were talking a lot about it. I do think it eventually will go to 96.”
Actually, Fox said, his opposition to 96 has softened as he’s learned more about how it could work. “It will still preserve the magic of the tournament,” he said. But his guess is that March Madness will stay at 68 teams for “at least two years.”
The NCAA Division I Board of Directors is expected to approve the expansion to 68 at its meeting on Thursday.
- While Fox is pleased that Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie resisted this year’s NBA draft, he worries about how many underclassmen entered the draft from programs across the country.
“Our game has a problem because so many kids have the misconception that they’re going to go to college for one year and then go to the NBA and make millions of dollars,” Fox said. “And that’s not realistic, and it’s an issue coaches across the country are trying to address.
“There are so many guys jumping in this draft. Is it because of a fear of a lockout [next year]? But that doesn’t mean there are more spots in this draft. So you have so many guys jumping in this draft that shouldn’t be in it.”
- As big a problem as turnovers were for Georgia’s football team last season, Mark Richt notes that the shortage of turnovers forced (12) was at least as problematic as the excess of turnovers committed (28).
“We were probably worse at not getting turnovers than we were at giving them up,” he said in Columbus last week. “That’s one of the reasons Coach [Todd] Grantham is here. We expect to pressure the quarterback different. The one man who turns it over the most is the quarterback. . . . That’s the guy you want to harass; that’s the guy you want to put the pressure on. And you put the pressure on him by taking away what he really likes to do the most.”
If you missed it: On the Bulldog Club tour with Richt and Fox.
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202 comments Add your comment
Delbert D.
April 28th, 2010
3:46 pm
Dorsey – And why did you call me a name? How did I offend you?
Dorsey Hill
April 28th, 2010
3:47 pm
“Tech: The Brown University of the ACC. Georgia’s stinking sh*thole.”
pert
April 28th, 2010
3:49 pm
while I get the analogy, I still think you are selling UGA short with the Wisconsin comparison. The Little 11 sucks balls anyway.
Delbert D.
April 28th, 2010
3:50 pm
1eyedJack – I was worried about this one, because they did a 3″ Mohs 2 years ago. Both were just behind the hair line, top right and top left, respectively. I told the doctor that I was afraid another 3-incher would leave me with a pointy head.
The Other St. Simons
April 28th, 2010
3:50 pm
It’s a beautiful day in the sunny Golden Isles. It looks as though “St. Simons” forgot to take his dose of 30-24 today.
Drink up young man, and get back over to The Lodge. I am bout to tee off and I need my favorite caddy to clean my balls.
Flaubert
April 28th, 2010
3:53 pm
Appears that Spike has a sharper sword than intellect.
Delbert D.
April 28th, 2010
3:55 pm
Dorsey Hill – Providence , Rhode Island and Atlanta are not my favorites among capital cities either.
Lake Sinclair
April 28th, 2010
3:55 pm
Wisconsin? They have had only three 10+ winning seasons, with ZERO conference titles, since 2000. UGA has had six 10+ winning seasons, with TWO conference titles, during the same time span. While playing in the far superior conference to boot. Nice try, douche.
1eyedJack
April 28th, 2010
3:56 pm
Look on the bright side Delbert…at least you got a facelift thrown into the bargain.
Delbert D.
April 28th, 2010
4:01 pm
1eyedJack – I sure did. My wife says I look surprised all the time now.
HBTD
April 28th, 2010
4:03 pm
Sounds like the tech fans obsession with UGA continues. LOL. Welcome back boys!! Just another 7 months before your annual beatdown. What’s that, 9 out of 10 years now. BTW, if you didn’t attend this year’s T-Day debacle, don’t worry, no one else did either, besides, PJ and Co. quit playing at the half presumbably because of the rain, but more likely to save his new DC from any further humiliation. Apparently the nats offense put up more yards in one half (350) than there were fans in the stands (estimated at 300). Ouch! Sounds like another dismal year for your boys.
Delbert D.
April 28th, 2010
4:09 pm
To clarify, when I posted about Wisconsin, I quoted what the previous poster said. I said we (Georgia) would be better off if we had Lake Michigan beside us for the water rights. The courts and the Army Corps of Engineers messing with the Lake Lanier water thing.
The Badgers have been really bad lately. As far as capital cities go, the Peoples’ Republic of Madison is really the pits in late winter. Lots of black snow piled up. Spent one of the longest weeks of my life at the U of Wisconsin in March back in the ’80s for a professional education course.
Delbert D.
April 28th, 2010
4:12 pm
Somebody’s in trouble for the name calling. But *my* comment questioning the name calling is awaiting moderation????
1eyedJack
April 28th, 2010
4:20 pm
It appears as if the Klingons blew up the Enterprise. James T. Kirk has disappeared and the memory of him has been erased. There is a God after all!!
Gotta slide, the clock on the wall says sneak out 10 minutes early. I may check back in later while relaxing in the theater sectional.
Delbert D.
April 28th, 2010
4:20 pm
I suspect that Tim Tucker is about to delete some of the really licentious comments out of this blog, and good for him.
AltamahaDawg
April 28th, 2010
4:28 pm
Bryan G, me too. Not taking it away, is just par. Your game plan does not include take aways. But giving the ball up when it was under your control is a disaster. I don’t even think a takeaway makes up for a giveaway. I’d take none of either if possible to make that deal pre-game.
Eaassyy
April 28th, 2010
4:31 pm
As a friendly reminder to all Tech fans posting: You haven’t won a bowl game since 2004. You are a dismal 3-7 in bowl games since 2000. You’ve been flat out embarassed in two bowl games since Paul “moobs” Johnson took over the program. Solid ‘10 baseball squad. Football, not su much
we running backs ain't taking this $hit anymore
April 28th, 2010
4:54 pm
Alt, I think is the giveaway-takeawy ratio that matters. UGA was near the bottom of the barrell in that catagory. IMO, last season was the perfect storm. New QB, O line injurys, mistakes in the kick return and kick coverage game, and on and on and on. When the D or the special teams give the O the ball in good field posistion that takes the pressure off the QB and helps open up the run. When the O gets the ball deep on it’s own end all the D has to do is load the box and play cover 2, especially with a new QB. When the O turns the ball over it puts the pressure on the D. Special teams mistakes put the pressure on everybody. One hand has to wash the other to have a winning team.
GT=all Boy's school
April 28th, 2010
4:56 pm
wow management majors —could it be turf management or paper bag managment. No one cares. Point is when beat you at all sports that matter. GT on UGA schedule = win.
TREATED!!!!!!
Murray the Midget
April 28th, 2010
5:02 pm
Please don’t mention turnovers because my hands are so small I can’t even handle a Whopper Jr.
trey
April 28th, 2010
5:26 pm
The taliban are posting the baseball scores?! LMAO LMAO
LMAOOOOO
The only score that matters is the one that hurts:
((( 30 – 24 )))
hahahahahahahaha
LMAO baseball,…. oh ROTFL i can’t stop laffing. You girls crack me up.
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
((30-24)) so glad it still hurts sooooo bad. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
hahahahahahaha
LMAO
Stinger
April 28th, 2010
5:29 pm
Just thought I would drop by to see if any more football players arrested for drunkness. Oh, it will happen, trust me. Coach Richt is too lenient and easy on your players. That is why you lead the nation in penalties and turnovers.
we running backs ain't taking this $hit anymore
April 28th, 2010
5:33 pm
Stinger, Richt kicked the guys out. What more could he do? Public hangings are no longer allowed.
DawginLex
April 28th, 2010
5:37 pm
louie,
Orson charles is a potential All-american at tight end. He is a matchup nightmare because of his size and pass catching ability.
that might be why he is starting
Gillislee
April 28th, 2010
5:52 pm
gillislee Really???
April 28th, 2010
3:26 pm
“The other guys that are supposedly leaving the state have not committed to anyone yet, well maybe the Pope High School kid. Is that the best you can come up with? LOL!!!”
Sorry I worded by stat wrong, that is the class of 2010 All Americans I was talking about and not 2011. Yes it is still a scary stat.
Small Johnson
April 28th, 2010
5:53 pm
Stinger and other Tech fans
Hows the loss to a middle of the road UGA football team and a terrible basketball team feeling.
Oh
Be thankful Tech is located on North Ave because all of the violence that occurs there and around there, drown out the disciplinary issues Tech has.
Jerry
April 28th, 2010
6:22 pm
Tim,
Can you please ban these trolls who go on endlessly, on purpose, about topics that have NOTHIGN to do with your posts?
Attention Ga Tech folks:
There is a blog for you, go find it, stop wasting our time.
Thanks
UGAsam I am
April 28th, 2010
6:22 pm
Let’s stop this. Even though tech sweapt us baseball
we all know it’s just a bad week.
I am much more concerned with unseating FLA in the east
and beating Tenn who has waxed us 3 out of 4.
Time for Richt to coach to win! Problem is we may
be in trouble at QB
Jerry
April 28th, 2010
6:26 pm
P.S. On to your topic Tim:
I don’t think Richt knows how to fix stuff, I’m sure he tries, but he doesn’t know how to teach stuff, so that people CHANGE, if you look at stuff like turnovers, penalties, arrests, interceptions, they all are bad, every year, year after year, so I’m thinking we need a new Head Coach coach to fix this stuff.
I agree with others here who say it’s time for Richt to go. I’m tired of hoping things will change, and they never do, because he can’t figure out how to fix the same stuff.
CHARLOTTE DAWG
April 28th, 2010
6:28 pm
My God,
The nerds are really reaching today. Baseball….really?
Hysterical…..BASEBALL!!!! i don’t know one UGA fan that gets worked up over baseball. They are simply beneath us folks. Let them keep talking. What’s next? trash talking about volleyball?
PNWDawg
April 28th, 2010
6:34 pm
Are there that many Tech fans who actually believe their star players are also academically gifted? I’ll be the first to admit UGA had some dummies in the starting lineup. I mean did Stephon Marbury leave after 1 year because he had a job waiting for him at Microsoft? “I’m goin’ to G-Tech University.” Yes you did, Stephon. Can I get a look at your transcript?
http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/georgia-tech-slips-and-a-rival-jumps/
txdawg
April 28th, 2010
7:21 pm
JAMES T KIRK – please go away and join the tech blogs. no one hear wants to hear your crap opinion about baseball. If tech had beat UGA in golf or volleyball, to you, that would be the only viable sport. GO AWAY.
TUCK FECH
April 28th, 2010
7:38 pm
Tech leads the Nation in OBSSESSING over other teams blogs and not selling out thier own football games!
30-24 We Do Run this State!
Dawg'em out!
April 28th, 2010
7:58 pm
grantham will have the defense in full effect by next yr, expect to see the dawgs defense finding is identity when he season starts. with flashes of whats to come.
DOMINATION
April 28th, 2010
8:37 pm
You got us in baseball this year. Congrats
2009-10 season UGA vs GT
Basketball – Men 73-66 WIN
– Women 56-50 WIN
Cross Country – Men 15-50 WIN
Women 15-50 WIN
Equestrian – DNP (they don’t field a team)
Football – 30 -24 BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
Gymnastics – DNP (they don’t field a team)
Soccer – DNP (they don’t field a team)
Softball – 5-4 WIN 6-3 WIN
Swimming and Diving – DNP (consider it a win if we do match up)
Tennis – Men 5-2 WIN
Women 2-5 LOSS
Track and Field – Men 123-63 WIN
Volleyball – 2-3 LOSS
Congrats to your women’s tennis and volleyball teams also.
Greg
April 28th, 2010
9:11 pm
You “what have you done for me lately” Nerds apparently didn’t read the post comparing baseball programs: Tech 3 CWS appearances(2 since 2000), no national titles. UGA 6 CWS(4 since 2000), one national title. UGA won as many CWS games in 2008 as Tech has won in their history.
As for Tech’s glorious football season and their genius coach, remind me again, who won the UGA-Tek game last year at “the Joke at Coke”. And those were Freshman and Soph RB’s who ran for 400 yards on you….
Real V Dawg
April 28th, 2010
9:31 pm
Georgia will not be losing to tech again for years—mark it down! That 2008 loss was a total fluke. Ga players didn’t even show up and tech got every break the whole game. Ga 41 tech 20 in 2010–bet the house.
Loquatious T. Futtbuck
April 28th, 2010
9:59 pm
Only retarded morons scream “FIRST!”
Stinger
April 28th, 2010
10:05 pm
I’d like to see our girls softball team play your guys baseball team. What a game that would be.
Pitbull
April 28th, 2010
10:17 pm
Last Year Richt new what the trouble was. No pressure on the QB. A sit back and read defense. A puppy dog defense. He denied the trouble was Wee Willies. Over and over the last few years he denied the obvious and defended Wee Willie. That is why the fans got so angry. We don’t like to be BS’ed!
Hiram Dawg
April 28th, 2010
10:19 pm
Let me get this straight, the D gets 12 turnovers and Richt’s offense gives up 28 turnovers – and the defense was the problem?
louie
April 28th, 2010
10:27 pm
Hi Tim-
I just noticed an imposter posted as ‘louie’ with some Ga Tech rant. They might be doing this to others here too to try and discourage posts or dialogue, might be a competitor trying to reduce hits to your blog.
Note:
That was NOT me, I do not post off-topic, as I know that is against the AJC blog rules.
Please ban the person’s computer ISP that posted as ‘louie’ at 1:08p.m. on Ap 28 on this thread.
I love your blog, but just wanted you to know I would not disrepsect you or your readers that way.
Thanks. I am sure you will take care of it.
AltamahaDawg
April 28th, 2010
10:47 pm
PNMW, the funny thing about that link was the lame tech retorts below the article. One brilliant young man came up with Jan Kemp. yea, really.
Old Gold
April 28th, 2010
11:23 pm
Ugay is SUCKING it…Richt is too…
Big D Dawg
April 28th, 2010
11:36 pm
hey nerds, this year you get the baseball sweep. after years of futility in baseball and all the great rankings, you might finally get to the world series again.
by the way, we’ve been there 4 times lately and haven’t seen you there
tampadawg86
April 28th, 2010
11:57 pm
The more and more I hear about CTG I get chills. This guy sounds like the coach we’ve been needing. Someone not to tell the players to GATA!! He’s GATPlayersA!!!!!!! the past 3 seasons they have been soft and haven’t looked like they have any fire behind them unless they are playing some good songs in Sanford Stadium. It shouldn’t take a song to get the team pumped up!!! I miss the early 2000s when that defense was just nasty!!! Lets GATA Georgia! I’d rather watch 60mins of hardnose defense than offense anyday.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
April 29th, 2010
12:50 am
I disagree on the turnovers – 28 on offense is a lot worse than gettin 12 on defense. The offense turnesd over the ball so much the defense was on the filed 2/3rds of the time.
joey
April 29th, 2010
7:07 am
I was at the TECH graduation in 06, my wife is an alum. As a Dawgfan, this is still hard to swallow. None the less, outside of my wife and a handfull of other names, i could not spell most of what they called out. All middle eastern. Last i checked there was no Osamalama bamla lala blcklablalblh dela da on the football team.
Tech Stinger
April 29th, 2010
8:06 am
(AP) This just in: the Athens police have reported that no UGA football players were arrested last night! They are checking for validation of the news, because it seems improbable. More to come.
Hey "Murray the Midget"...
April 29th, 2010
9:51 am
You seem to have a hang up about attacking Murray’s size….let me tell you something dude….Murray was the #3 ranked QB in the land coming out of HS. Florida and Alabama (real schools) and about 50 other schools, recruited him, so they wasn’t too concerned about his size. He never gave Tech a sniff, cause Tech new they had about as much chance of winning the lottery as signing a QB like this. Your scared man…and you need to be. You’ll see how much his stature matters come November.