The tourney has lived up to the madness name this year. Wow, look at the SW bracket-#1 Kansas vs. #12 Richmond, #11 VCU against #10 FSU. In SE regional, #1 Pitt is already gone thanks to a horrible finish for the Panthers-what a way to lose a game, then over in the east, the last of 11 Big East teams to make the dance, #11 Marquette is still hanging on. Of course this would lead you to believe, Kansas really has an easy path to the Final 4 but after this weekend, I would be a little nervous if I were the Jayhawks. As this tournament started, I knew there were very few elite teams in the country, thus this is what I thought could very well happen-just wish the Dogs could have been one of the surprises. But, as you see with how well Washington played UNC, we got no favors with our #7 opponent. The Huskies were just flat out better than us-not so much more talent, but just more depth. They had so many more weapons and they extended their D so far out, it really did limit us offensively. But, that being said, we controlled the tempo just as was needed-simply put, we couldn't score enough to win the game. I was proud of how the team fought to the final second, that is something to really be proud of as you watched the way Tenn quit on Bruce Pearl for example. Our guys NEVER quit and actually had a shot to tie at the buzzer. Great games for Thompkins, Leslie, Robinson and second half by Price. Some very ticky tack fouls really got Jeremy in foul trouble for most of the game, in fact, there were several bad calls that went against us-Travis following up the shot with a slam-clearly NOT offensive inference there. Price with a nice block, got all ball but was called a foul-still, the refs didn't lose that game for us, I am convinced what lost this game as well as many others this year was just not enough quality depth. Which brings me to my next topic of discussion-next year.
I read last night we picked up another recruit for 2011, out of the blue a prep school kid in Conn gave his verbal to UGA. Here is a little bit of info about the kid, I am curious to know how you pronounce his name to be honest. Here from Seth Emerson's blog-
The Georgia men’s basketball has a need for frontcourt players next year, whether or not Trey Thompkins goes pro. Two post players signed in the fall, and another is on the way.
Nemanja Djurisic, a 6-foot-8 forward from Montenegro, has committed to the Bulldogs, according to several reports. Djurisic has been playing for the prep team in South Kent School in Connecticut. That school’s head coach, Kelvin Jefferson, told Georgia247sports.com that Djurisic has “a great skill set” and is one of the team’s top 3-point shooters.
Reading more on him, he is 6'8 235lb, has been called a phyiscal player that can score down low and also come out and shoot-a shorter version of Thompkins, without as much skill obviously but still, this kid was considering Arizona St, NCST, East Carolina, and Okie State so a pretty good haul. He joins Tim Dixon who is about 6'9" or 6'10", and 7 foot JUCO transfer John Florveus as well as 6'6" shooting guard/small forward Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
I think you have to ASSume Thompkins and Leslie are going pro. I think considering both tested it out last year but came back, the fact both had successful junior seasons-although I think BOTH could really improve by coming back, all they need is ONE team to show an interest and get that 1st round money. Thompkins in particular put on quite a show in both the SEC and NCAA tourney and Leslie was just outstanding against Bama for sure. They appeared to me to be playing to show they are NBA caliber on the national stage. I would be SHOCKED if Thompkins comes back because I feel sure he will not slip out of the first round. Leslie however, he could really stand to improve his ball handling and his perimeter game and I think should come back. Right now he is a professional athlete but not a professional basketball player-to borrow from Jimmy Dykes and I think that sums him up nicely.
So, we figure Ware and Robinson will be back, Robinson will graduate in May but I would think/hope he would come back for another season. You have Thornton, Donte' Williams, Connor Nolte back. Also, Brantley and Vincent Williams. As I mentioned, bringing in now 4 kids which adding the 4th leads me to strongly believe Fox already knows one or both are gone. We REALLY have to hope one or two of the bigs we bring in can duplicate the efforts of Price/Barnes OR Thornton/D. Williams can contribute a little more offensively. I think Caldwell-Pope will come in and score close to 15pts a game which will help offset the loss of Thompkins. So, let's look at possible lineups, without Thompkins and Leslie, then look at one with Leslie. I will not put Thompkins in at all, the only way he comes back is in the event of an NBA lockout. Any way you look at it, I forsee a 3 guard lineup most of the time.
G-Ware
G-Robinson
G-Caldwell-Pope
F-Thornton
F-D. Williams
This lineup would certainly be athletic but you might see CP (I will start calling Caldwell-Pope this) shift to F and and insert Dixon, Florveus or Djurisic . Basically the jury is out on all our bigs coming in but certainly we are going to lean on Thornton/D. Williams a lot so both better hit the weights hard in the off season.
G-Ware
G-Robinson
G-Leslie
F-Caldwell-Pope
F-Thornton
If this were to happen, wow, again very athletic and with Leslie's ability to board, it would offset some size. My only concern here would be matching up against teams with size. It might be that Robinson/Thornton or even CP would come off the bench to get one of the big guys in the starting lineups. Again, the ability of Dixon, Florveus or Djurisic to come right in and be ready to log major minutes is a big mystery at the moment but that would certainly help us a TON.
I think next year has the potential to be a slight step back which is why I am really hoping we can lock up the 2012 class during the early signing period. Not trying to be Debbie Downer here but let's face it, if Thompkins and Leslie leave, that takes away our two best players, our two best scorers, two best rebounders, we are not on the level of Kentucky where we bring in all american players at every position, every year. The good news would be, Kentucky figures to be young again-I can see 2-3 of their young kids leaving early, UF losses a TON of talent, UT has the Bruce Pearl mess going on (and could lose its best two players), Vandy should once again be solid but not elite, and South Carolina will be improved certainly but far from elite status for sure. So, our division I feel sure will be strong again but I honestly don't see it being as strong as it was this year-not close to it.
So, the mens team fell short in the NCAA tourney but Andy Landers and his Lady Dogs team beat Middle Tenn State last night to move to round 2 where they will take on #3 seed FSU in Auburn. The game will be played Tuesday night. To read more about the Lady Dogs game, read the link below.
http://dogbytesonline.com/lady-dogs-shut-down-middle-tennessee-st-to-advance-43779/
Finally, the baseball team had a tough weekend in Columbia, South Carolina. Tough only in that they had a real shot to win 2 of 3 against SCarolina on the road. I said on Friday, they had to win one of the 3 games, and couldn't get swept. They avoided that in game one winning 4-2 but of course that makes it more difficult then to lose the next two when you put yourself in a great position to win the series. They lost Saturday 2-1, SCarolina scored a run in the 8th to tie, then won it in the bottom of the ninth. On Sunday, the Gamecocks broke open a tight game to pull away to an 8-3 win, scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning. Sure, disappointing and sure, maybe an opporutnity lost, and the schedule is tough this week with GT coming to Athens as well as LSU, but they did manage to get a W and play solid baseball. Unlike last year, the starting pitching is MUCH better it would appear, especially the #1 and #2 starters. There is reason to be optimistic to me because the downfall of this team last year was HORRIBLE pitching. Here are a couple articles about the weekend series via the Athens Banner-Herald.
http://dogbytesonline.com/bulldogs-end-long-road-trip-with-loss-43777/
http://dogbytesonline.com/gamecocks-wear-down-dogs-palazzone-in-duel-43754/
http://dogbytesonline.com/woods-dominant-pitching-continues-43702/
Another note, UGA football added a non conference opponent/cupcake for 2014, South Alabama. I didn't even know they played football down there but we will surely help fund their athletic program with a $900,000 payday for coming to Athens. Now that I think about it, I think one of our recruits from last year, that was kicked off the team, landed at South Alabama, Demetre Baker is his name. He will be playing for them likely that day, he is playing RB for them. Here is a little history about that program-The Jaguars are entering their third season in program history after going 10-0 last year. They are making a transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision level and will be eligible for the Sun Belt Conference title in 2013.
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