UGA defeats LSU, 73-53
Quotable Quotes
Mark Fox on accomplishing 20 wins in the regular season: “I congratulated our kids because it’s certainly a big step for this program. To get that in the regular season is certainly a major accomplishment and it’s something I’m very proud of these kids for. They have won every game and I told them in there that I think they have more games to win.”
On Barnes and Price: “The both of them have grown up a lot so it was emotional after the game. They are great kids and could have easily made life hard for me when I first came in here but they didn’t. They bought into what were doing and did everything I asked them to do. It’s been a privilege coaching them”.
Price on kissing the floor: “Me and Matthew Bucklin planned that out this morning. I was like, ‘Might as well’”.
Barnes, who apparently planned it first: “I was supposed to do that but (Price) took my idea. I didn’t have anything planned. I would have gone running through the stands but my legs started to hurt…It was a special night.
Final Thoughts
I don’t think you can ask for a better second half from Georgia here. After toying with LSU for much of the first half, Georgia came roaring out of halftime with a quick basket from Trey and that alley-oop from Ware-to-Robinson. Second half struggles for UGA had almost become an understood part of the game for UGA. No matter what the opponent, UGA seemed to come out strong in the first and limp in the second, often letting the game slip away against superior opponents and letting the game get too close for inferior ones. In the past two games, Georgia has stood strong for a full 40 minutes and that is extremely promising heading into the weekend and the following tournament week.
Obviously the big story was Senior Night and the Jeremy Price and Chris Barnes certainly delivered. Price turned in another nice night with 11 points with 4-7 shooting and while Barnes’ line doesn’t blow you away (6 points, 6 rebounds), he was undoubtedly a big reason why this game was such a blow-out. Trey Thompkins struggled tonight and could likely be out this weekend with an apparent toe injury. Barnes is going to be crucial inside against Alabama. Georgia can get it’s scoring elsewhere from Robinson, Leslie, and Ware. All Barnes has to do is play solid defense which he’s really come in to in the past weeks.
Big emotional night for both Barnes and Price. If you know me, you know that my allegiance lies with the NBA. The college game is just isn’t fast enough. However, even I can admit that the pageantry displayed tonight when Price and Barnes were checked out for the final time was something the NBA will never have. The crowd erupted when Barnes came out with a minute left. And when Price’s number was called, he jogged to the “G” in center-court, kissed it, and thanked the fans with open arms. Fox admitted that these two guys could have easily caused trouble for him when he first took the job. Instead, they bought into the system and were properly rewarded for it. You can only hope the reward continues as this team looks at a probable NCAA berth. I’ll see you guys next week in Atlanta.
