Sports

Final UT-59 UGA-57

Great game, it was point for point most of the game, with neither team leading by more than 6. Tennessee out rebounded Georgia 34-28, the last one being the most fatal. What looked like a clear over the back foul call on Tennessee center Brian Williams over Georgia Center Chris Barnes, resulted in a put back at the buzzer to lift the Volunteers (12-6, 2-2) over the Bulldogs (13-4, 2-1) at the Stegeman Coliseum. When I asked Barnes about the final play, he responded “I didn’t believe the game was over.  I just saw the flashing lights going off.  It’s heart breaking to lose in front of the home crowd.”  Brian Williams who made the game winner said, “I knew we’d have time left because we were moving with 10 seconds left.  So I had to grab the rebound and that was it.”  After the game when asked about the final play, Coach Fox raised an eyebrow and just sat there looking exhausted and emotionally drained, responding, “No, I have to watch the tape.”  Tobias Harris and Scotty Hopson led the Volunteers with 15 apiece while Gerald Robinson and Travis Leslie led the Bulldogs with 14 apiece. A clear problem with Bulldogs seems to be their lack of depth and size off the bench. While Barnes played an OK game filling in for the foul-plagued starter Jeremy Price, who had only 2 rebounds during his 9 minutes of playing time, it was clear that the Bulldog frontline was outmatched on the boards. Especially in the last minute of game, when the Vols had the ball for the last 57 seconds before Williams’  last second bucket. Coach Fox spoke about the final seconds of the game saying “we know they are going to take the last shot and we wanted to play defense without fouling like we are taught.”  Coach Fox also went on to say about the team, ” we didn’t have the right energy, but that is not the reason we lose.  We are tired coming of a win, but it’s a grind.”

:59 UT-57 UGA-57

Great game, teams are pretty much even in all facets of the game thus far, lets see who owns the last minute, Tennessee ball. UT recovers an offensive rebound/loose ball and calls timeout with 28 seconds left, they can hold for the last shot, my bets that Hopson gets the call. Buzzer beater put-back by Brian Williams off a missed three by Tobias Harrison, unbelievable! The call stands, despite no replay being shown in the arena.

3:56 UT-52 UGA-51

The Greatest Montage In Georgia History featuring Rocky, Cheers, Animal House, and the Old Spice guy gets the crowd riled up.  Sherrard Brantley off the ball screen hits a 3 to put the dawgs up for the first time in about ten minutes. Timeout UT. Josh Bone hits a runner at the shot-clock buzzer to put the Vols back up by one, 55-54. A questionable up and down non-call results in an easy layup for Tennessee. Ware comes right back a nails a three to tie the game at 57

6:44 UT-47 UGA-47

Nice Rocky impersonation by the teams unofficial mascot. Hopson comes down and makes an and one to silence the crowd and put the Vols back up by one. The solo Tennessee fan’s yelling doesn’t stop Gerald Robinson from missing any free throws, game tied. However, she does affect Thompkins, who misses 1 of 2, Bulldogs down by 1.

10:36 UT- 44 UGA-43

UGA inbounds the ball down by 1 after the timeout.  Georgia foul on Jeremy Price for a block.  Another loss of possession for the ‘Dawgs evens the turnover margin at 10 a piece.  Ware takes a long 3 looks like he is fouled, but the crowd is content.  Skylar McBee throws up a prayer from half-court to avoid a shot clock violation, he comes up way left and short.  The crowd hails him with “air-ball” chants that are hardly deserved.  He redeems himself though with a big three from the wing over a Georgia defender.  Travis Leslie takes a three and dunks his own miss! A play from Larry Bird’s textbook and this Georgia crowd and on their feet!  The ‘Dawgs force a bad shot and get a block  and capitalize with a lay-up and foul! Timeout Tennessee.

12:07 UT- 42 UGA-41

The crowd is back into this game and smells a lead change.  Tennessee misses the shot following the timeout, making that trip to the bench unsuccessful.  Leslie responds with a leaner in the paint and UGA takes lead 43-42.  Bruce Pearl’s son, Steven Pearl checks into the game and the crowd showers him with boos.

15:40 UT-36 UGA-37

Bulldogs inbound the ball and finally end the scoring drought with a lay up by Chris Barnes.  That shot has seemed to revive the UGA faithful packed into Stegman tonight.  Both teams have started to turn up the scoring with each making baskets.  The crowd is angry for a foul against Tennessee under the basket, and then the crowd becomes restless again after a foul on Robinson at mid-court.  UGA turns the ball over on the underneath inbound, but Leslie pokes it away and Robinson goes for a big slam that cranks up the crowd but he clanks it off the back iron.  UGA unable to score themselves, but still forcing turnovers against the Vols.  The crowd is on their feet with 12 minutes left a big put back dunk by Chris Barnes! Timeout Tennessee.

16:20 UT-36 UGA-37

Back to the action and the Dawgs gave taken back the lead with two quick buckets.  Tennessee makes one free throw to push the game to a one point lead.  Offensively, both teams have started the 2nd half offensively. HA! The TV timeout gives each team a chance to regroup their offense and score a few buckets.

Halftime UT-35 UGA-33

After an exciting 20 minutes of basketball, UGA and UT have returned from the locker rooms and ready for the 2nd half to start.  UGA shot 46% from the field while the Vols only shot 44%.  The team leaders for UGA are Robinson with 12 points, Tompkins with 3 rebounds, and Ware with 3 assists.  Team leaders for Tennessee are Hopson and Harris with 11 points each, Harris with 3 blocks, and Tatum with 2 assists.  Tennessee has a +2 rebounding margin for the first half but has a -2 turnover margin.  The game has been extremely competitive this evening with the score being tied 5 times and only 3 lead changes, with the largest lead by UGA at 7.

1st Half 3:37 UT-27 UGA-28

Tennessee makes a little run of their own and is within one of the dawgs. Timeout Georgia.2 seconds left on the shot clock, official timeout. Robinsons the hot man, lets see who the dawgs go with for a shot-clock beating shot. Ware misses the three, and Tobias Harris knocks down a 3 for Tennessee to pull the Vols ahead by 2. Tennessee hits another 3, followed  by a quick 2, lead by 5. Dispute of over tipped free throw (ball was still over the basket), ends in a technical foul being called on Tennessee for stepping in the lane. Thompkins knocks down both free throws to bring the dawgs within 2. Dawgs turn it over, but get it right back off of a charge. Crowd starts counting down a little to early, Dustin Ware’s three at the buzzer rims out.

1st Half 7:56 UT-16 UGA-22

Tennessee is starting to double Thompkins down on the post. Robinson continues to flourish for the dawgs with another layup. Georgia’s shooting 52%, while Tennessee is shooting 39% for the game, despite the dawgs only being only up 4. The dawgs continue to be hot from 3 land, with a 3 with  from Brantley, but Skyler McGee answers right back for Tennessee.

1st Half 11:29 UT-14 UGA-10

Travis Leslie has big put back off a Trey Tompkins miss, crowd enjoyed that one. Thompkins has his first points of the game with a nice post move to tie it up at 14. a big put back and one by Leslie puts the dawgs up 4. Trey Thompkins makes an electric and one with a nice turnaround jay from the left post. The dawgs are on a 12-2 run.

1st Half 14:35 UT-10 UGA-8

Tonight’s game is brought to us by the cast of the Jersey Shore, as the phrase “it’s t-shirt time,” is played continuously through the loud speakers.  After a Tennessee foul, UGA quickly turns the ball over and Hopson turns it in 2, which is his 7th point thus far. Sherrand Brantley checks into the game and fires a wild 3, but the crowd quickly forgets after Cameron Tatum shoots an airball.  Gerald Robinson grabs a turnover and treks down the floor for a big two-handed dunk from the little guy! Robinson has accounted for 8 of Georgia’s first 10 points tonight.  Scotty Hopson continues to drive to the basket and UGA has no answer. UT turnover.

1st Half 16:30 UT-5 UGA-5

Georgia has had a tough time avoiding turnovers in a quick 4 minutes of play, while Tennessee is having a hard time making baskets.  Marcus Thornton and Chris Barnes check in for Price and Leslie, while Hopson makes another 3, but Robinson is quick to answer with another 3 ball.

1st half 20:00 UT-O UGA-0

Well the student section is packed with rowdy Georgia Bulldogs ready to get this game underway.  The crowd is swarming with black and red t-shirts with Tennessee fans far and few between.  Teams are circled in their respective corners and ready to ball. Tennessee takes the tip and Hopson’s flat top is looking as fresh as ever, but the first shot of the game is no good. Gerald Robinson starts the ‘Dawgs off with a 3, a piece of this team that has been missing all season. Tennessee is also beginning the game with their infamous 1-3-1 full court press that often creates many turnovers. Travis Leslie cherry-picks down court asking for an alley-oop, but the Dawgs turn over the ball.

Tonight’s lineup

Georgia Bulldogs 13-3 (Conf. 2-1)

F- #50 Jeremy Price

F- #33 Trey Tompkins

F- #1 Travis Leslie

G- #22 Gerald Robinson

G- #3 Dustin Ware

Tennessee Vols 11-6 (Conf. 1-2)

G-#2 Melvin Goins

G-#32 Scotty Hopson

G-#23 Cameron Tatum

F-#12 Tobias Harris

C- #25 Josh Fields

Hey all, and welcome to tonight’s coverage of the Georgia Bulldogs and Tennessee Vols basketball game from Stegman Coliseum.  The Bulldogs return home after two away games against the Commodores of Vanderbilt and the Ole’ Miss Bulldogs.  Georgia dropped the away trip to Vandy 73-66, but had a stellar performance against Ole’ Miss winning by 22, 98-76.  However, UGA’s season has been currently defined by their outstanding victory against #10 Kentucky at home on January 8th.  Georgia (13-3 Conf. 2-1) looks to pick up 3 conference home games in the upcoming week with Tennessee tonight (11-6 Conf. 1-2), Mississippi St. (10-7 Conf. 2-1), and Florida (13-4 Conf. 2-1).

Tennessee is currently coached by Tony Jones, while Bruce Pearl continues his 8-game SEC suspension for recruiting violations.  Tennessee has dropped their first two conference games against Arkansas and Florida, but beat Vanderbilt after a 16 point 1st half comeback.  Bruce Pearl’s Vols started strong this season with wins over #7 Villanova, #3 Pittsburgh, and #21 Memphis.  Tonight’s game features two front runners in the SEC East and both teams look to make a jump in the standing and improve their record.