Sports

Quotable Quotes

Coach Mark Fox-”I thought that was a really hard fought game tonight.  Coming in I felt like UAB might be the best team we have played all year.  They play extremely well together and we knew this would [be a] real test.  They are a team that is going to win 20+ games this season.  We knew they would make a second half run and they did just that.  I was pleased that our team was able to answer late and come out with the win”

Trey Thompkins, on debuting at home-”It was great. The intensity that the crowd brings helps us so much. Sometimes we need that sixth man to lean on and we could lean on them tonight.”

Jeremy Price, on his post play-”Once I saw my team was looking for me a lot, I just had to deliver. I did what I could in the post.”

Final Thoughts

Wow, what a game, what a win.  Players and coaches will never admit how “important” a game is, but us media people will.  This was an important game for Georgia.  And not only for an NCAA resume.  If they have any plans competing or winning in the SEC, you need to be prepared to grit victories out.  Even with an abysmal second half offensively, the Dawgs were still able to win out.  Admittedly, those aren’t the best wins, but you’ll take ‘em.

-Although Trey Thomkins went down pretty hard after the Robinson lay-up, he says he’ll be fine.  Just landed on his hip wrong.  Emphasis on hip.  Not ankle.  Sigh of relief.

-Thompkins, Price, and Robinson led the team in scoring with 20, 14, 13 points respectively.  Honestly, while Trey’s 20 were important, I think Price’s were equally, if not more impressive.  Cameron Moore is 6-10 and Jeremy Price is 6-8.  However Price was easily bodying Moore up and getting easy points in the paint, including those two free-throws at the end.  While obviously Thompkins, Robinson, and Leslie are vital parts of the offense, Price needs to contribute as well.  Especially on nights when the former guys are struggling (Leslie had 4 points).

-While Leslie was lackluster offensively, Coach Fox gave him a lot of credit on the defensive side and I would have to agree with him.  Leslie split time guarding Aaron Johnson with Robinson and both did a great job, limiting Johnson to 4-9 from the field and forcing 6 turnovers from the somebody who averaged 9 assists per game.  Johnson had 3 the entire game.

-After only going to the line once in the first half, they visted the charity stripe eight times in the second half, going 7-9 for the game.  While that’s not nearly enough times, credit the Dawgs for hitting their freebies.  Sort of.

-A big concern from here is obviously the Dawgs inability to play a complete game.  Georgia was outscored by UAB 32-23 in the second half and once again showed low effort coming out of half-time quickly losing a thirteen point lead to three.  Thompkins admitted he was a bit winded, and I’m sure the same can be said about the rest of the team.

Alright, I’m out guys.  See you next week when Georgia travels down to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech.

Hey folks, Mac Little here with my very first live blog of the season. I was planning on getting a more in-depth pre-game write-up, but I had to venture over to James’ apartment to retrieve the media pass.  However here’s some quick points I think will be pretty important to winning this game against UAB (6-1, 0-0).

-Get Trey Thompkins to shake off the rust and get the rest of the team to get acclimated with him.  Thompkins of course made his debut for Georgia (4-2, 0-0) over the break at the Old Spice Classic and while the results were less than exemplary, none of that matters now as UGA tries to beef up that NCAA tournament resume.  Coach Fox admitted that both Trey and the team showed some rust playing together, but with a week of practice under their belts, it’s imperative they work out the kinks quick.

-Limit Aaron Johnson.  Johnson is the Blazer’s senior PG who currently leads the country with 9 assists per game.  He only averages 9.4 ppg though, so if the Dawgs can shut down the rest of the Blazers and make Johnson create for himself, a quick lead is not out of the question.

Well, that’s all I got for now.  Follow me on Twitter for more timely updates of the game.  I’ll be back during time-outs.

End of Game, 66-64

It wasn’t pretty, but Georgia clawed this one out for a victory.  With 1:04 remaining, Jeremy Price hit two FT’s to send Georgia on top 62-59.  When UAB answered, Gerald Robinson, Jr., stormed back with a reverse lay-up, that teetered on jumping out, so much so that Trey Thompkins thought it was coming out.  When it fell in, so did Trey, which left him on the ground for a bit, resulting in a “Trey, Trey, Trey” chant.  Out of the time-out, UAB needed a three to tie it. When the shot when up, Gerald Robinson, our hero, came down with it and was fouled immediately.  He hit both free-throws.  Game over.  Quotes and such to follow shortly.

3:53, 2nd 56-55

Questionable foul call on Johnson by Robinson who now has three for the game.  A lot more chippy this half, which means this game may come down to free throws, which means bad things for UGA.

7:54, 2nd 51-51

Short and simple.  UGA is having a tough time getting boards all of the sudden.  Just gave up three which lead to Cameron Moore three pointer.  Maybe the Rocky skit will get them going.

12:20, 2nd 50-44

Full time-out by UAB.  Neither team looking too great right now.  Gerald Robinson had a big three, but that was after a poorly placed pass in transition and the accompanying foul on the other end.  Marcus Thornton had a nice battle for a rebound, but that was after he practically held the ball for the entire shot clock.

15:42, 2nd 47-42

Well, that 13-point lead didn’t last long. Offense looked pretty stagnant until last possession that had some good ball movement which lead to a Ware open jump shot.  Other than that, not much to be happy about.  Johnson is noticeably more aggressive out of half.

43-32, Halftime

All in all, a pretty solid half from Georgia. Certainly a performance you would be happy to see after such a rough weekend.  Quick stats and notes:

-Trey Thomkins is 7-9 from the field with 14 points, has 6 rebounds, two blocks, two assists and a steal. Needless to say, Trey seems pretty happy to be home.

-Aaron Johnson, the apparent assist machine, has one assist and four turnovers. Great job so far by Georgia to quiet this guy down and forcing other Blazers to step up. Ovie Soko and Cameron Moore are some of those guys with nine points and 11 points respectively.

-Jeremy Price is quitely having a solid game with eight points with 4-7 shooting.

-Would like to see UGA at the foul line. Or do I?

1:35, 1st 38-25

UAB out of zone.  Gerald Robinson is so fast, when he penetrates inside you watch the players on UAB look for him.  Trey Thompkins has 14 points. What more can I say?

7:41, 1st 25-14

Obviously not much to update here other than UAB’s decision to go 2-3 on defense.  UGA had some problems handling the zone against Notre Dame, so we’ll see if they have learned anything since then.  A little sloppy thus far.

9:56, 1st 25-14

Connor Nolte just took a blow to his surgically repaired nose. Threw off the mask in disgust.  In other news, Dawgs up 11. UAB is really forcing it from outside, great interior D for Georgia.

15:59, 1st 12-4, UGA

Alright, I lied. The Dance Dawgs are up so I practically have to blog during them.  Here’s the deal, Thomkins has been everywhere. Dude’s had a steal and block on the defensive end and 6 points and a an assist to Travis Leslie for a rousing alley-oop.  Apparently the ankle is feeling better.  Dawgs are scoring at will with transition ball.