Sports

Georgia gets a win to close out a rocky 2009, beating Pepperdine 64-47. Mark Fox seemed satisfied with the effort.

For those of you wondering why the waves would coast all the way out to Georgia for a basketball game, Fox spent six seasons under Pepperdine coach Tom Asbury’s tutelage. In post game comments, Fox credited Asbury as coaching the “best man to man he’s ever seen.” Fox considers Georgia’s defensive effort tonight a “credit” to Asbury’s abilities as a coach and mentor.

Forward Trey Thompkins said that Fox told the team that this game “meant a lot to him.” Georgia’s defense certainly showed as much, tallying 6 steals and holding Pepperdine to just 34.6% shooting on the night.

Offensively, Fox thinks that Georgia is “starting to get more comfortable” on that side of the ball. Georgia had a more balanced attack tonight, Trey Thompkins contributed 12 points. Travis Leslie was the Dawgs’ leading scorer with 14. In total, eight players scored for Georgia on the night.

One area of weakness was at the charity stripe. Georgia came into the game leading the SEC in free throw percentage. Tonight the Bulldogs shot a paltry 50% which Fox contributed to a lack of focus.

On the whole not a bad effort out of the Bulldogs. Thompkins did chip in the double-double. Georgia had 15 second chance baskets and 32 points in the paint. Georgia won the rebounding battle 43-28… which was to be expected with their height advantage. The effort on the glass is going to be put to the test going forward. Georgia travels to Columbia, MO to take on the Missouri Tigers in a game Trey Thompkins has listed as a “resume win.” After that, its Georgia Tech and the meat of the SEC schedule.

For now, Georgia can close the book on a 2009 that has been rocky to say the least. If tonight is any indication, I don’t think that this Georgia team is going to be a doormat in SEC play. This is a tough team that plays good, hard-nosed defense and has some athletes on the offensive end.

I hope you enjoyed tonight’s blog. Everyone have a safe and happy new year and Go Dawgs!

Kirk Carter here with yet another live blog of Georgia Men’s Basketball.

It’s a cold and blustery night in Athens, a great time to be protected by the Stegemann Coliseum as Georgia gets set to tip off against the Princes of Malibu aka the Pepperdine Waves. The Waves will be a long way from the warmth of the California coast, we’ll see just how much the distance affects their performance here tonight. Georgia looks to close out a 2009 that saw three head coaches and more losses than any program cares to see. As a reference for Georgia basketball’s current stature, local radio is broadcasting the women’s game in favor of UGA-Pepperdine… there isn’t another program in the country where I could see that happening. By the way, the Lady Dogs are 12-0 and ranked #8 in the country… kudos. There is hope however, Georgia is coming off a win against Illinois and, despite some rough spots, has looked like a team that is really starting to mature under new head coach Mark Fox.

The battle hymn is playing and we should be underway shortly… stay tuned to the blog throughout the night. (more…)