Saturday, December 15, 2012

Never seen a UGA squad

go 2 and 7 in the non-conference portion of their schedule.

Fox said that he wanted a schedule that would help get the team into the tournament at the end of the year.  He seemed not to know how bad his team would be. 

How could he think that we would have a shot at the NCAA's with the roster we had?  Oh well.  Since the cupcakes are beating us, I guess no amount of schedule manipulation would have helped.

Fox now has an overall losing record at UGA.  In his four years of coaching he is now 52 and 53.

Dawgs Lose to Iona

Final score:  81 to 78 (OT).

We missed too many free throws.  We shot 54 percent from the line for the game, but I think we went 2 for 8 in overtime.  Something like that. 

The good news is that the freshmen got experience.  Charles Mann went 5 of 8 from the field, and finished the game with 18 points and 7 rebounds.  He missed free throws, but the more he plays, the more settled he will be in crunch time.  Brandon Morris shot 5 of 12 and scored 12 points with 7 rebounds.  Kenny Gaines shot 3 of 6. 

With the freshmen playing, it is clear that we are a better offensive and defensive team. 

Hate to say this, but Coach Fox needs to realize that Vincent Williams and Nemi Djurisic are liabilities on the defensive side.  Vincent plays hard, but he is too small to keep the opposing point guard from getting good looks from outside.  It would be different if he offset his lack of size with great offensive output, but Williams went 0 for 3 this game, 0 for 7 last game against Tech, and is shooting just 28 percent from the field for the year.  He needs to back up Mann, not vice versa.

Nemi is too slow of foot.  Besides that, he had five turnovers and went 0 for 5 from the field this game and 1 for 8 against Tech.  Fox needs to rein him back as a three-point shooter.  If memory serves me, Nemi is 1 for his last 16 from behind the arc.

We're 2 and 7 on the year.  Not good.

The line-up, Coach Fox, is KCP, Charles Mann, Kenny Gaines, Donte Williams and Brandon Morris.  Please.

Mann Has a Shot

at being UGA's best point guard ever. 

He has the defensive intensity of Rashad Wright and the size of Vern Fleming, but he shoots better.  The best thing is that he puts pressure on the defense by attacking the rim.  If he tightens his handle and gains confidence, he might turn out to be one heck of a player.

We're Up at Half-Time

Great news!

Even better news:  Fox cannot possibly misunderstand the box score.  The guys who should get minutes (Mann, Gaines, KCP, Donte Williams and Brandon Morris) are a combined 14 of 19. 

Meanwhile, the guys who should play a support role (Brantley, Djurisic, Dixon and Vincent Williams) are a combined 0 for 9.

If Fox utilizes his roster accordingly, we have a shot at turning the season around.

About Time!

Play Donte Williams and Brandon Morris.  They're young and can handle major minutes.  Do not take them out unless they have four fouls.  To make it work, play Morris at the four position.

This Might Get Ugly

They're taking us to the woodshed right now.  Hitting their threes and playing good defense. 

We have to settle down.  Eventually their legs will get tired and they'll start missing.  Let's rebound the ball and see if Mann, Gaines and KCP can get going.

Dawgs Face Iona

I think the Dawgs take this one. 

Won't be easy.  They're far from a cupcake.  Iona plays a fast pace and they have two guards from New York, both of whom are averaging right at 20 points per game.  Iona beat Wake Forest by almost 30.

Got to bring our "A" game today.  We're rested and I think Fox will let his freshmen play.  We either lose by twelve or win by five.  I think the latter.