Florida’s Donovan: Georgia ‘clearly may be better than everyone’ in SEC
HOOVER, Ala. – You might be surprised to hear who Florida coach Billy Donovan thinks can be the best basketball team in the SEC this season.
“The one team that I think clearly may be better than everyone — and I think all the teams are good -– is Georgia,” Donovan said today at the SEC Basketball Media Day event here. “Any time you’ve got two players on the first-team [preseason] all-SEC and you probably have in my opinion the best player in the league in Trey Thompkins. . . . ”
In a media vote earlier this week, Thompkins and teammate Travis Leslie were named to the preseason All-SEC first team, making Georgia the only school with two representatives. However, Donovan’s team was picked by the same media panel to win the SEC title. Georgia was picked to finish third in the East, which would be a marked improvement after finishing last in the division for three consecutive seasons.
Donovan sees Georgia making huge strides in its second season under Mark Fox, who Donovan called “a terrific coach.”
“People forget that although their record did not reflect it, their season last year could have been totally different because of a lot of close losses that could have gone either way,” Donovan said. “I think when you’ve got a new coach and a new style of play, what happens a lot of times is there’s a learning curve that goes on of how you try to win games inside your system and your style. I think the kids at Georgia probably were going through that, but they are clearly a team to me that I think is going to be terrific.”
More later from SEC Media Day. Appearances by Fox and Thompkins are on this afternoon’s schedule.
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
108 comments Add your comment
jax
October 21st, 2010
1:44 pm
Should be a great year
Rico Suave
October 21st, 2010
1:52 pm
I think UGA basketball fans are misunderstood. You KNOW in the next 5-10 mins, a tech fan or 7 will be on here telling us “you haven’t won crap!” or “You had a losing record last year, your fanbase is blind!”
But, as a true UGA fan, one that speaks realisticly… we dont give a crap about basketball, unless they give us reason to think they may be good. Congrats Techies, you are right! We DIDN’t win crap last year. Beating Tech isn’t crap. Even though we did that. But we lost a LOT of games. However, we looked pretty good doing it.
LOTS and LOTS of our competition graduated or went pro, and the smae UGA team that hung with the bigger boys are ALL back.
UGA fans 100% admit to being fairweather basketball fans. It simply gives us the power to revel in any success that may come our way, but not really care when we fail.
So try and get under our skin Techies…. we really don’t care.
Oh, and isn’t Tech picked to finish 9th this season…… in their conference.
GO DAWGS!!!!
Army Vet
October 21st, 2010
1:53 pm
Jax….thanks for not posting “FIRST” like most of the other idiots.
jax
October 21st, 2010
1:56 pm
oh yeah…first!
Gordon
October 21st, 2010
1:58 pm
Rico,
You won’t get much argument from any (or at least many) of us Tech fans on which program is heading in the right direction and which isn’t. I’m not a fair weather Tech basketball fan, but even I’ve had enough of the current coach.
Army Vet
October 21st, 2010
1:58 pm
Jax…guess you’re an idiot after all. My mistake!
Gen Neyland
October 21st, 2010
2:00 pm
I’m not surprised.
DookerJ
October 21st, 2010
2:02 pm
That’s some high praise from a damn good coach.
Ed
October 21st, 2010
2:02 pm
As much as I would like that to be true…what’s he smoking?
Saying that Georgia basketball is “clearly…better than everyone” is like saying in the preseason that Kentucky football is clearly better than everyone in the SEC. Theoretically possible, but highly unlikely.
SadDawg
October 21st, 2010
2:08 pm
Nice comment from another “terrific coach.”
DAWG ONE
October 21st, 2010
2:10 pm
As a long time fan of ALL UGA sports and season ticket holder in basketball, I enjoyed the class of Ken Rosemond, John Guthrie and Hugh Durham. I thought we had someone in Jim Harrick but was wrong. I felt Felton was a nice guy, but finished last.
Now, I see in Mark Fox a coach who understands not only the game, but individuals as well. Great days lie ahead for a program longing for recognition year in, year out. Unless Mark Fox leaves us without giving us a chance to keep him, we will keep him! Coach, recruiter, class, and technician. He is the total package.
MURPHY
October 21st, 2010
2:11 pm
Not a basketball fan,but glad to hear Coach Fox is turning around the program.
Goldtimer
October 21st, 2010
2:13 pm
Speaks volumes about the quality of the SEC when a team in the previous year had a losing record is the conferences best team. SEC basketball = AA baseball
seabass
October 21st, 2010
2:14 pm
Well that’s good to hear for a change! We do have a good coach and will have a good team, if not now soon. And Ed, you obviously don’t know basketball. .
Zach
October 21st, 2010
2:15 pm
Donovan has class.
Bizarro Superman
October 21st, 2010
2:15 pm
How did the SEC East become an afterthought in football and a powerhouse in basketball? I mean, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Vandy could all make the tourney this year. This is craziness I tell ya!
DawginLex
October 21st, 2010
2:16 pm
Yes goldtimer that’s why Kentucky only has 7 national titles and florida has 2 and Arkansas has 1. That weak SEC. Where 4 teams in the SEC East are in the preseason top 25.
where is Ga Tech in those rankings?
Face facts because the Mark Fox train is running and is going to run all over your pathetic underachieving bunch again this year while Duke runs away with a weak ACC.
Ron Roberts
October 21st, 2010
2:17 pm
1. There are PLENTY of forums here to talk football; this is about the BASKETBALL program.
2. AJC – get on the stick; let’s see some photos of Stegman’s renovation. GO DAWGS!
59bulldawg
October 21st, 2010
2:20 pm
DookerJ, I second that sentiment. And hope he’s right!
Dale
October 21st, 2010
2:23 pm
release the hounds!
SoCal Dawg
October 21st, 2010
2:23 pm
If recruiting continues to improve I predict the final four within 4 years.
Go Dawgs!
GTBob
October 21st, 2010
2:24 pm
What is UGA adding this year that is going to take them from a 14-17 record to the best team in the SEC? A couple of 3 star forwards? Leslie and Thompkins played great last year, how much better can they get this year? I think UGA will be improved but Donovan’s assessment seems a little unlikely.
JLC
October 21st, 2010
2:28 pm
Someone please tell me the difference between Mark Fox and Paul Hewitt in their first years? It’s so funny how everyone wants to kill PH, and adore MF. PH took GT dancing in his first year with 0 NBA talent. MF won 14 games with 2 potential 1st rounders on his roster in a league that had 6 teams finish below .500. Historically UGA pulls a few upsets within their few wins. I think everyone should hold their opinions of MF until after this year.
SoCal Dawg
October 21st, 2010
2:33 pm
JLC that’s what so great about a blog. You get to give your opinion whenever you want to. Is UGA the best team in the SEC? Probably not but half the fun of following your team is dreaming.
Paul Hewitt
October 21st, 2010
2:33 pm
JLC, the major difference between Mark Fox and me is that Fox can actually coach and I’m a glorified AAU coach. Heck, I still don’t understand the triangle offense. As for as I’m concerned, X’s and O’s are for tic-tac-toe
What DAWG ONE said
October 21st, 2010
2:36 pm
What DAWG ONE said…cheers.
What DAWG ONE said
October 21st, 2010
2:37 pm
JLC – I thought MF beat the tech NERDS last year…what am I missing?
JLC
October 21st, 2010
2:39 pm
I’m just saying….We all put CPH on a throne after the final game visit in ‘04, and he has been a let down with good talent since. I would just be patient with Fox, who seems to be a good coach. We all thought CPH was the next Roy Williams, and well….
b
October 21st, 2010
2:39 pm
dawginlex is exactly right. SEC is much better than over hyped acc this year.
Peach Fuzz
October 21st, 2010
2:41 pm
Like saying most manly in a gay bar!
Kevdawg
October 21st, 2010
2:42 pm
GTBob – Have a transfer guard that sat out last year that Thompkins said was the best player on the floor last year at practice for one. Four starters back and the top sub as well. Everyone has a year of Coach Foxes system under there belt. If you watched any games last year, Georgia was very competitive with the top teams in the league at the end of the year. You may be surprised what a good coach can do. Tech always has top notch talent but has not done much with it. Last years team will wind up having four or five NBA players on that roster and they didn’t accomplish anything.
Bruce Mac
October 21st, 2010
2:42 pm
Tim, what does the starting five look like for UGA? I remember UGA had a transfer stud guard that will be in the mix for 2010/11 and they had a couple of good recruits. Everyone knows about Leslie and Trey but the rest of the team will have to step up for them to make it to the NCAA’s. How do you see that coming together?
JLC
October 21st, 2010
2:43 pm
You’re missing that UGA won 14 games last year. UGA always pulls a few upsets, and beats GT at home. That’s nothing new. So, as of now, I have not seen anything to believe UGA is doing anything different than usual.
Peach Fuzz
October 21st, 2010
2:44 pm
Dawginlex, there are 3 schools in NC alone that have multiple titles.
Bruce Mac
October 21st, 2010
2:48 pm
JLC, that is like asking why would GT be better just because they return Lawal and Favors? When you return two studs and add a few other pieces you are better. Duh!!!!!!!!!
DawginLex
October 21st, 2010
2:48 pm
Duke will dominate the ACC this year. no one else is even close. The SEC has 5 legit teams. None of them are in duke’s class but all are better than most of the ACC including NC who will struggle again this year. Tech is an afterthought.
Rashomon
October 21st, 2010
2:50 pm
You haven’t won crap!
You had a losing record last year!
Your fanbase is blind!
DawginLex
October 21st, 2010
2:56 pm
and one more thing,
If Coach Cal gets Enes Kanter eligible in 2010, all bets are off for the SEC. Kanter is the best player in the world 19 and under.
Think Demarcus Cousins with a jumpshot. 6′11″ 275 lbs.
The difference between challenging Duke and going to the Final Four or struggling to win the SEC East.
Fair and Balanced
October 21st, 2010
2:59 pm
We hope that UGA got it right with the hiring of Fox. Time will tell. Actually, you will notice that it usually takes about 2 seasons only to turn a program around – if the coach has the goods. We’ll see.
JLC
October 21st, 2010
3:00 pm
GT also added 4 other top 100 freshman other than Favors. Arguably the most talented one (other than Favors), Kam Holsley, did not even play last year. I predict that UGA will be be better, but in the end probably not as good as people had hoped. GT will be the surprise of the ACC, just like in ‘04, the year after Bosh went pro. CPH may not be the coach we thought he would be, but it is clear that he prefers a guard-heavy team, and that’s what he’s got this year.
Spud Webb
October 21st, 2010
3:03 pm
Rashomon- how exactly is being excited about the direction of the program being blind? And you should only use emoticons when texting or emailing women you either are now or want to sleep with in the future.
atlvol55
October 21st, 2010
3:03 pm
Tennessee or KY wins the SEC East…you can mark that down.
Pearl has told people privately he believes this is the best team he has had at Tennessee. Remember, TN was 1 point away from the final four next year. UGA will be better; but they aren’t going to challenge either this year…
Spud Webb
October 21st, 2010
3:06 pm
atlvol55- you’re probably right but it would be nice if UGA could do well enough to get the tournament and maybe even get a decent seed. The Thanksgiving tournament in Orlando will tell us a lot.
Bruce Mac
October 21st, 2010
3:08 pm
The prediction is third, I haven’t seen any unrealistic expectations posted here. What are you all talking about? Dogs win 20, go to NCAA. Nobody thinks they are going to final four.
Dawglasville
October 21st, 2010
3:12 pm
JLC – I do appreciate your sincerity and the fact that you want to have an intelligent blog discussion with “the enemy.” I said the same thing about Paul Johnson after year two. At that point he had not done anything more than Richt had done after year two. What Fox gives us is hope and a sense that the program is headed in the right direction. The same thing Paul Johnson gives y’all.
Billy Donovan thinks Georgia is "clearly" the best team in the SEC
October 21st, 2010
3:16 pm
[...] [...]
MS Bully
October 21st, 2010
3:25 pm
Please, anyone but Reftucky win the East. MS. State will take care of the West.
Undercover "dawg", North Ave, Atlanta address
October 21st, 2010
3:33 pm
You UGA’ers are not just BASKETBALL fair weather fans. Untill three weeks ago you some-bi— were ready to linch CMR!
SC dawg
October 21st, 2010
3:47 pm
I predict that coach Cal with his tract record will have Kentucky on probation within 3 years anyway so enjoy it while you csan Kentucky fans.
DAWG ONE nailed it!
October 21st, 2010
3:48 pm
Great post. I too go back to the Red Lawson, Ken Rosemond era. Also am a year round Dog fan, liking most every sport.
Hunker Down
October 21st, 2010
3:49 pm
when I learned Fox was the heir to the program I was a little perplexed if we had hired the right guy. I was wrong he is a very good coach and has done nothing but make uga basketball exciting once again. THank you Damien for this was one decision you got right!
pikedawg
October 21st, 2010
4:02 pm
JLC ..the point your missing is Tech can get all the talent they want to…PH can’t coach his way across I-75 to the Varsity. With a year under their belts with the new Fox system the UGA team that lost 10 games inside of 5 points will win most of those games this season…moving 14 wins to 21 or 22 won’t be a problem.
UGAstudent
October 21st, 2010
4:07 pm
Rico Suave, I like your post exept for one thing. While most of the bulldog nation are fairweather basketball fans, not all are. I have been watching UGA basketball everytime it was on TV since 2005 and haven’t missed a single home game since 2007. Not all of us are fairweather fans.
Big Bad Bruce
October 21st, 2010
4:09 pm
WOOF!!!!
Snoop Dawg
October 21st, 2010
4:10 pm
Let’s hope the hoops boys don’t get arrested like the football Dawgs. If Fox establishes a trained and disciplined team, they won’t resemble the football Gangsta Thugs…
buddyc
October 21st, 2010
4:16 pm
Pikedawg….Do you live in Pike county?
kmoney
October 21st, 2010
4:19 pm
Sec Basketball = WHO CARES.
Floundering Fox Hounds Batman!
October 21st, 2010
4:23 pm
The only improvement in UGA basketball so far is removing the cow stench out of the Stegosaurus. Lets see some pictures of that ole hut AJC !
gbal
October 21st, 2010
4:30 pm
“The one team that I think clearly MAY be better than everyone — and I think all the teams are good -– is Georgia,”
Just another way of saying that UGA MAY suprise some people this year and I agree…. They MAY. Hope so.
I have a statement ….
The one team that thin MAY have a shot at making it to the SEC Championship game this season to represent the East, is Georgia! They clearly MAY have a shot!!!
gbal
October 21st, 2010
4:33 pm
“CLEARLY _ MAY????
News topics must be pretty hard to come by.
Stephen Dawg
October 21st, 2010
4:36 pm
OK, how bout Ellie Mae??
Beast from the East
October 21st, 2010
4:49 pm
Dawgs,
Don’t listen to the naysayers. You have a very good up and coming coach with two of the best returning players in the conference. Add in a solid recruting class and you have a very real shot at taking the East this year. Be proud of where your program is heading and tune out the idiots that want to bring you down. UF wasn’t too highly thought of until Donovan brought consistency to the program. Hopefully, Fox can do the same for you guys.
Good luck and Go Gators!
It's 4:50
October 21st, 2010
4:50 pm
and still 73-66
We will humiliate you again this year little sister.
Suck it douchenozzles.
Bruce Pearl
October 21st, 2010
4:52 pm
CHEATER
just like Kiffin
It runs deep in Knukeeseville
MontyP
October 21st, 2010
4:52 pm
Ron Roberts – good comments. This is the most anticipated UGA Basketball season I can remember since the days of Dominic Wilkins and the coverage by the AJC has been crap. Believe the Hype! This team is on everybodies radar not just in the SEC but across the country. Go Dawgs!
collegeballfan
October 21st, 2010
4:54 pm
And none of the accolades will mean a thing if the program dies on the vine like usual because the UGA grads will not show up and support the team.
Since Hugh Durham arrived on the scene there is only one reason that UGA basketball has not been a KY, NC, Duke type program, playing in front of high school size crowds.
The future of this program is really up to the UGA grads.
Bruce Mac
October 21st, 2010
5:00 pm
Thank you Beast. Why are you being so civil these days? Are you trying to get our vote on the most obnoxious blog, ha ha. Donovan is a class act, his team is probably great and just wants everyone to look elsewhere for billboard material.
jayhawkdawgdawg
October 21st, 2010
5:33 pm
collegeballfan
When UGA is winning the Seg is always filled up for the SEC games. Win and they will come. Just like everywhere else.
jayhawkdawgdawg
October 21st, 2010
5:34 pm
seg = steg
Saben
October 21st, 2010
5:34 pm
Woder how much jail time the basketball team will get?
Chris
October 21st, 2010
5:46 pm
Screw you Rico, those who are “fair weather basketball fans” are NOT real UGA fans. I’m a fan and an alum, and I can’t wait for the new basketball season.
Go Dawgs!
North Ave Killer Beez
October 21st, 2010
5:58 pm
@RICO SUAVE: UGA basketball SUCKS!! REVEL in that, win or lose you farmers still suck!
ozzfest
October 21st, 2010
6:00 pm
Yeah…just like our FOOTBALL SCHEDULE….we do not play any non-conference opponents worth a damn. 20-12 tops.
Screw Greg McGarity and his schedule makin puss, Arthur Johnson.
pete
October 21st, 2010
6:01 pm
kinda sucks when UGA still beats Tech in basketball. LOL
SCOREBOARD Sucka
October 21st, 2010
6:06 pm
North Avenue Bee(atch),
73-66
SCOREBOARD Sucka
October 21st, 2010
6:08 pm
Farmers?
The only thing I plow is North Avenue’s Mom
CrackDaddy
October 21st, 2010
6:24 pm
What in help does “clearly may be better ” mean? Coach speak “usually clearly means” ignorance.
CrackDaddy
October 21st, 2010
6:28 pm
DawqinLex, sounds like you have an agenda when suggest that UNC with Henson, Zeller, Drew, Harrison (preseason player of year), et al, is not going to field a good team. You my man, are biased or plain ignorant. Have you not been watching round ball the past 30 years?
Billy Jack....thinks the PG is the key
October 21st, 2010
6:29 pm
Who is this Point Guard that is supposed to lightning quick the transfer fron Tenn St……whoever he is…I think he’s the key to UGA’s success Thompkins and Leslie will get their points..we haven’t had a great PG since the Harrick days..(the kid from Columbus his last name was Wright..??) I think….man that was a good team..all 5 starters were Georgia boys
GaCracker
October 21st, 2010
6:31 pm
Maybe, but I’ll wait and see. They need a decent point guard and I don’t know if they have him.
Scrambled Dawg
October 21st, 2010
6:38 pm
Fox is a class act and a heckuva coach. I hope we can keep him around.
There has always been great bball talent in Georgia, they just always go somewhere other than UGA. Hopefully Fox will change that. He’s off to a great start. Go Dawgs!! Can’t wait for the new season to tip off..
Beast from the East
October 21st, 2010
6:41 pm
Bruce Mac,
Not politicking for any votes. Just would like to see the UF/UGA rivalry get back to meaning something in football as well as basketball. Much more interesting when both teams have more on the line than bragging rights. Obviously, I’d like to see my Gators come out on top every time, but it takes some losses to really be a true “hated” rival.
After having said that, I really do believe that Fox has you guys headed in the right direction. I watch a lot of SEC basketball and he got as much out of the talent he had last year as anyone. His team hustled night in and night out. If he can get that same effort this year with a deeper and more talented team then they will be tough to beat.
john
October 21st, 2010
6:55 pm
Hey basket Dawgs and coach Fox. Don’t fall for the old “you’re so wonderful” routine. Donovan is clearly worried or he wouldn’t be trying to butter you up but, if you start believing it you’ll get your butts kicked regularly this year. He’s hoping you’ll buy it. Remember he’s still gator scum and will only give compliments when it could sucker you into overconfidence. Ya’ll haven’t done anything yet and don’t forget it until you do. Go Dawgs!!!
Billy Jack....likes to eat
October 21st, 2010
7:02 pm
NO FARMERS = NO FOOD…don’t be hating on farmers, it makes you look like an arrogant fool…..
college is forever
October 21st, 2010
7:38 pm
http://www.collegelunchboxes.com That outlook for Georgia Basketball sure does seem to be bright. There is no reason why we can not consistently make the NCAA tournament and win a game maybe even two and end up in the sweet sixteen and sometimes the elite eight. Come on Dawgs show us what you got this year. Nine weeks till Christmas pick up your UGA classic tin lunchbox at either Kroger or on line. Go Dawgs, Beat Kentucky!!
D-MAN
October 21st, 2010
8:08 pm
Fairweather fans my ass,watch gymnastics to football,Yall can’t even fill up the joke by the coke!
Billy Jack....@ D-MAN
October 21st, 2010
8:12 pm
My ole lady won’t let me watch gymnastics…..(it’s a jealosy thing) I’m a butt man
sandyspringsjacket
October 21st, 2010
8:46 pm
Well THUGA fans you have to come to the THrillerDome this year where you have one once in a thoudsand years. Good luck beating the Jackets thisyear on our court. Won’t happen.
Mark Fox has a losing record and finsihed last in the SEC east with two 1st team allstars. THat says a lot. He has done nothing and proven even less. THUGA is and always will be a bottom dweller. THUGA fans said the exact same thing about Felton after his first year. I recall him being fired after 5 or 6 years.
Hit A Single
October 21st, 2010
8:48 pm
Sandyspringsjacket – Is it true it is called the Thrillerdome because Michael Jackson once performed there?
Dawgs Tell
October 21st, 2010
8:50 pm
Fox is a damn good coach!!He will bring national attention to our basketball program.We could win the SEC with a few breaks and turn close games to wins. Go Dawgs!
FRED
October 21st, 2010
8:52 pm
CAN FOX COACH FOOTBALL??
Hit A Single
October 21st, 2010
8:54 pm
Damon Evans screwed up (no pun intended), but you have to give him alot of credit for hiring Coach Fox.
Hit A Single
October 21st, 2010
8:55 pm
Fred ,we have a football coach. Hey how is Barney doing?
Billy Jack..
October 21st, 2010
8:57 pm
Barney Rubble was a tool….(Damon was knocking down big money) but he was a fool….
Hit A Single
October 21st, 2010
9:02 pm
I always thought Wilma was hot!
fred
October 21st, 2010
9:19 pm
fox is richt sans coaches shorts, a couple of great years that almost reach the [romised land, then the big fade….
Goldtimer
October 21st, 2010
10:22 pm
The ACC rules basketball but Tech can’t beat Georgia or even Milton High this year!
the real Old Gold
October 21st, 2010
10:24 pm
How stupid to give Paul hewitt a lifetime contract! We are as dumb as they say we are!
Jtown
October 21st, 2010
10:58 pm
I love all these nobodys shooting down the coach’s opinion… like they know as much or NEAR as much as the coach this came from.
Georgia is going to be good. Until the season is over, we won’t know WHAT’S going to happen.
Hit A Single
October 21st, 2010
11:21 pm
Can’t wait until Pearl the crook is out at Tennesee.!
Glenn
October 22nd, 2010
12:36 am
The DAWG round-ballers will be very tough this year mark it down, they will go to the dance this year. Mark Fox is a BB coach and he will recriut at UGA as well. Go Dawgs.
jc_dawgs
October 22nd, 2010
3:59 am
Ga’s starting 5 is easily top 3 in the conference…maybe even the best. It will come down to how good the 2nd tier of players will be. Barnes and Williams have experience but the rest of the group….though quite talented….are new to all this.
I think 19-21 reg season wins for this team.
» Donovan says Georgia may be best team in league John Clay’s Sidelines
October 22nd, 2010
8:00 am
[...] Billy Donovan says Georgia may be “clearly better than everyone,” reports the AJC. [...]
CEPH
October 22nd, 2010
11:25 am
I wonder if Fox could double up and coach football also? He probably knows more about it than Richt already!!! AT least he wouldn’t alLIE and make excuses with every breath out of his mouth. This guy calls it like it is and I remember when he first got hired he said everyone know there is only one coach Mark at UGA! Maybe in retrospect he was talking about himself. The way it is playing out it may come true!!!! HOPEFULLY
bigdawg8
October 22nd, 2010
1:39 pm
I think we will do good as long as the basketball team doesn’t take it’s cue from the football team and start acting like a bunch of stupid thug criminals!
FLA DAWG
October 22nd, 2010
3:43 pm
“clearly may be” ?
huh?
Jan Kemp's Advisor
October 22nd, 2010
4:35 pm
I have advised the university to drop basketball
Blowbo
October 23rd, 2010
8:04 pm
They will choke it up as usual. I say half their players are arrested before tip off. LMFAO!