Sports

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.

Final, 73-53 UGA

Final thoughts coming soon.

53-39 UGA, 7:43

Here’s another Senior Night moment for you.  Ware finds Price down the court in transition who then no look passes to Barnes for a dunk of his own, and get’s fouled.  Misses the FT though.  Teams trading baskets and bad basketball at this point.

47-32, 11:42 UGA

Just realized I haven’t been using the time for our media time-outs.  Like I said, getting that spark back.  Since we last talked, Gerald has forced two turnovers with Price as the beneficiary of both steals.  As Robinson appeared ready to lay it in, he threw it over his shoulder for the Price dunk.  Next one Price got fouled on his attempt, sinking one.  Gotta love Senior Night.

41-32, UGA

UGA comes out firing with a quick turnaround jumper from Trey then forces a quick turnover where Ware finds Robinson for a huge alley-oop.  Who knew Gerald had hops like that?  LSU immediately calls time-out at 19:25.

Halftime 30-25 UGA

LSU now looking bad as advertised on offense.  However, Dawgs not playing much better.  LSU is shooting 9-21 from the floor while UGA is shooting 11-31, 3-11 from three.  Your point leader for UGA is Dustin Ware with 9 while Storm Warren leads the Tigers with 8.  Needless to say, it’s a bit sloppy out there.  In their 21-point drubbing by Vandy, LSU shot 25% in the second.  Luckily for them, UGA has a tendency to come out a little slow in the second too.  We’ll see what Fox had to say in the locker room .  I still don’t see Georgia losing, I just expect a little better.  If you’re the better team, you have to play like it.

3:00, 23-19 UGA

Not much has changed.  Georgia able to trap Turner in corner, forcing turnover.

7:09, 19-19

With Georgia struggling against zone, they turn to ‘ole reliable Dustin Ware who hits a three at 8:36 to tie the game up at 17.  Getting a bit scrappy on both ends, refs often swallowing whistles.  Fine by me.

11:00, 17-11 LSU

Dawgs have gone to man on defense.  Helping a bit.  Turner likes to shoot at his team’s peril.  Price comes back in and gets back to back baskets.

15:01, 11-4 LSU

Both teams come out in a 2-3 early.  Georgia struggling, LSU not.  LSU getting much better looks and hitting them.  UGA moving ball around nicely, just can’t hit from outside.  Price with a early foul.

Good evening folks, Mac Little here, holding down the live blog for tonight.

It’s been awhile since the ‘ole blog and I did the tango, but, like any rekindled relationship, we’ll do a little bit of small talk until that spark get’s going again and it’s just like old times.  So bear with me as the blog and I try to get that chemistry going again.

Obviously the big story tonight is not even the game, because, let’s face it, LSU (11-18, 3-11) is having a terrible season.  This will likely serve as a tune-up game as Georgia heads to Tuscaloosa this weekend to take on Alabama then head to Atlanta for the SEC tournament next weekend.  A win tonight would give the Dogs 20 wins for the season.  Which is likely because LSU, if I haven’t told you already, is terrible.  Just terrible.

Instead it’s Senior Night, which will be honoring both Jeremy Price and Chris Barnes.  If this game get’s ugly, I’ll start focusing less on the game and instead honor Price and Barnes with witty comments.

So, let’s just cut the chit-chat get to tonight’s probable starting line-ups.

Georgia Bulldogs

Travis Leslie, G

Trey Thompkins, F

Jeremy Price, C/F

Dustin Ware, G

Gerald Robinson, G

LSU Tigers

Andre Stringer, G – LSU’s second leading scorer with 11.6ppg

Matt Derenbecker, G

Ralston Turner- LSU’s leading scorer with 12.9ppg

Storm Warren, F- SEC’s leading best name

Malcom White, F