AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > January > 29 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFelton’s Bulldogs are worth watching
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
It has been some time since Georgia basketball represented anything but a connecting airport (Tubby Smith), a punchline (Ron Jirsa) or a sales stop for somebody pitching voodoo potions that promise one thing but ultimately make your hair fall out (Jim Harrick).
But this is Georgia basketball now: Not short term. Not a joke. Not a grease spot.
The Bulldogs have forever operated in the shadow of the football team. Also women’s basketball. Also gymnastics. And tennis and golf and animal sciences. But after consecutive upsets of Kentucky and LSU, Georgia is 5-2 in its conference, which would be the inverse of Georgia Tech.
They are getting better (unlike Tech). The Dogs are selling out the storage facility of college arenas (Stegeman Coliseum). They are creating an atmosphere. And though they have yet to crack any rankings or shake bracketologists, they would be on a six-game win streak in the SEC if not for a late-game collapse at Alabama (somewhat aided by logic-challenged officials).
Georgia has a basketball team.
Who knew?
The next thing you know, we’re going to start hearing smack talk about how hoops in the SEC are superior to hoops in the ACC.
Next thing: “I’ll say this,” Georgia coach Dennis Felton said Monday, “Since I’m looking for easy wins, I’d rather play in that other league right now. I can’t find anything but difficult games here.”
Coach K: Line 1.
Georgia is not stuffed with McDonald’s All-Americans. It would settle for one. But the Dogs have some pretty good players (Sundiata Gaines, Takais Brown, etc.) who play hard, and generally together, and generally smart.
This team’s margin for error is not big. An upcoming stretch of games — at Tennessee, at Vanderbilt and home against Florida — could define this season. Regardless, Felton has engineered a remarkable makeover for a program that was wrecked by the human virus, Harrick. He has not only disinfected the program, but he also has created something worth watching — today, next week, next year.
Georgia was 8-20 overall two years ago, and had lost 25 of 32 SEC games the past two seasons. It wasn’t even a fallback choice for top recruits. Now, with the SEC’s basketball stock up and the school funding a new training facility that will include a practice gym, locker room and offices for the basketball team, you wonder about the potential.
If Florida can do it, why can’t Georgia?
“There isn’t any reason,” Felton said. “That’s what we’re working toward. We believe the SEC is the best conference going right now, and one reason is the facilities that are being built. Florida built a facility similar to the one we’re going to have when Billy Donovan went there. It’s a statement about how serious we are about this.”
The team has excited students, and Felton has tried to reciprocate. After the LSU game, he sent players into the stands to shake hands with the fans. If he had tried that in the past, the problem would’ve been finding somebody.
“It was just a spontaneous thing,” he said of the players’ handshakes. “It’s been sheer pandemonium in the stands. It was a response to how helpful they’ve been.”
It’s not football. To say it never will be football doesn’t qualify as crawling out on a limb. But success in one sport doesn’t preclude having success in another.
This is Felton’s fourth season, but his first team with NCAA tournament aspirations. Nobody could have imagined the Dogs’ presence would be at least as plausible as Tech’s (the Jackets have dropped three straight since beating Duke and Florida State).
“We’ve had obstacles but we’ve been able to fight through them — nothing really has taken me by surprise,” Felton said. “I knew we would hit rock bottom in the second year. We inherited four guys and none were going to be with us in the second year. But I’ve always felt we were progressing. We’ve come a long way, but we’re still a long way from where we want to be.”
Just success. Nothing funny, nothing greasy and probably nothing brief. And all in the middle of football recruiting. Who knew?
Permalink | Comments (37) | Post your comment | Categories: Jeff Schultz, UGA / SEC
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By GJJ
January 29, 2007 09:45 PM | Link to this
Felton is a class coach who is rebuilding UGA’s program the right way.
By Dawg72
January 29, 2007 09:50 PM | Link to this
Great article, Jeff. Coach Felton deserves all the credit. He does an amazing job and is always positive. Given time he will make us all proud and he deserves our support, patience, and gratitude. Thanks for providing the forum.
By Dawg72
January 29, 2007 09:55 PM | Link to this
Great article, Jeff. Coach Felton deserves all the credit. Given time he will make us all very proud. We owe him our full support, patience, and gratitude. Thanks for providing the forum and realize, as he says, we have a long way to go.
By GW
January 29, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
Felton is doing this with a few good players and no great ones. Amazingly they hold their own defensively and in rebounding. He can make it even better but it is still going to take more time. As fans, we need to forget the Top 25 and brackets for now and hope the players do too. One game at a time. They could still finish 8-8 in this madhouse league.
By ChattaDawg
January 29, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
Coach Felton is the Class Coach that we have in Coach Richt for football. I hope we can become like the Gators and be exremely successful in both sports. Just remember, we have to keep Coach Felton like Florida has kept Coach Donnovan. Couple of more years and many schools will be calling for Coach Felton!
Go Dawgs and let’s kick the vols and the shirtless coach Wed. Night!
By RD
January 29, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this
Some coaches come to a school and win quickly with the previous coach’s players. Felton didn’t have that luxury, starting with a completely empty pantry and building it up one player at a time.
Jeff, you’re right. UGA doesn’t have the all name roster that many top tier schools enjoy. Instead he has a roster that has been filled with overachieving workaholics.
I have to believe Felton’s best teams are still out in the future because as improved as this team is, it is still a pretty young team.
Thanks for the props.
By XXLDawg92
January 30, 2007 12:14 AM | Link to this
Just imagine how they would playing with Louis Williams?!?!
I am getting very close to caring about UGA Basketball again. Tubby Smith torn out the heart of this lifetime bulldawg fan. I am very proud of the job Coach Felton has done.
By Ed Danforth
January 30, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this
Felton has done the job of the decade, considering the mess he inherited. He is better than Tubby, and Tubby was darn good.
By BigDawg
January 30, 2007 01:38 AM | Link to this
Is everyone jumping on the bandwagon beacuse we upset two ranked teams? I wonder what will happen if we lose to our next four game. I bet the same folk will be yelling fire Coach Felton! Anyway we need to be Georgia not Florida. and Although we will will the next three out of the four game, we always need to fully support our programs, not only when they are winning but also when they are losing. But right now we need to enjoy our win streak!.. Go Dawgs!!
By Kudzu
January 30, 2007 06:51 AM | Link to this
I’m a Tech fan but am no doubt impressed with the GA Roundballers. Coach Felton is doing a great job and the (no name)players are responding; they should be ranked in my opinion. I just hope that there are no skeletons lurking around in the shadows up there in old Athens, and what we see is the real deal. Meanwhile, I am danged disappointed in the performance down on Tech Ave.
By Nikki
January 30, 2007 07:29 AM | Link to this
XXLDawg92, you said it right. Tubby Smith ripped my heart right out as well by defecting to Kentucky. Everything happens for a reason though. Dennis Felton has come along and rebuilt this program with respectable guys. Tubby may not even be employed after this season if you listen to the talking heads. Dennis Felton and the Hoop Dawgs are on the rise in the SEC.
By NationalChamps
January 30, 2007 07:31 AM | Link to this
Unranked, hoping to make the Big Dance. This makes the AJC headlines? Shows how bad UGA athletics is. Go Gators.
By jc2beers
January 30, 2007 08:24 AM | Link to this
Hey National chumps, go choke on some gator cum, get a team!! GO DAWGS
By easy now
January 30, 2007 08:31 AM | Link to this
I am very proud of this group of dawgs, and it appears that Coach has made amends from his mistakes of last year, but there have been mistakes. I have been going to watch this team since their 8-20 year, and I went to many games last year until Felton started bashing the fans that attended the games, calling us the worse fans in the conference. Being upset because no one went to the games is one thing, but attacking the fans that went to the games is near suicide.
He seems to have turn the corner, and I for one am glad. I won’t forget being called an awful fan, but after this last move, I am ready to forgive.
Go Dawgs and good luck coach!!!
By GREG
January 30, 2007 08:43 AM | Link to this
JFF,PLEASE STAY OFF THE BANDWAGON!WE ONLY HAVE 13 WINS..YES THE TEAM IS PLAYING WELL,THIS ARTICLE COULD REALLY JINX THE REST OF THE SEASON!
By Don Ellis
January 30, 2007 08:44 AM | Link to this
National Champs……A little sun starts to shine on our basketball program and you feel the need to bash us. Why is that? We have a good thing building. Isn’t making it to the dance what everyone wants to do in College basketball? Sure all 100 plus teams wanta trophy….but it doesn’t work that way. It makes the AJC headlines when a coach like Felton comes in and repairs a program that almost recieved the dealth penalty. And don’t forget that you’ll be on here next year as well throwing your worthless insults, cause we will have a great team coming back. GO DOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!GATORS SUCK
By TallaDawg
January 30, 2007 09:07 AM | Link to this
It cannot be said enough: Coach Felton is the kind of PERSON you want to coach your team and represent your school.
By honest_abe
January 30, 2007 09:18 AM | Link to this
coach felton has done things the right way. no short cuts. he’s made this rag tag group of players into a passionate, hard working, lunch pail totin type of team… they outwork their opponents and play team basketball… in today’s world of ‘me first’ athletes it is truly refreshing to see!
By ugaben81
January 30, 2007 09:41 AM | Link to this
I was a student when Jim Harrick was coach. Every game was sold out and it was pandemonium in the stands. Then of coarse he ripped our hearts out with good ol Tony Cole. I thought that UGA basketball was finished. Boy was I wrong. Coach Felton has me believing that we can get back to those 20 win seasons. MOre importantly, he does it the RIGHT way! Go Dawgs, sic em.
By DCDawg
January 30, 2007 09:57 AM | Link to this
I really hate basketball, as a student I never went to a mens basketball game, but I love the DAWGS and the interest that these students, both the players and fans, and the coaching staff is drawing to University and its sports programs. Do it for Broph! Go GEORGIA!
By High Pockets
January 30, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
As a class of ‘72 UGA graduate, I’m thrilled for Coach Felton and his Dawgs, especially the emotional win over LSU for Broph! However, I’d also like to point out that Coach Landers’ Lady Dawgs are 18-4 and ranked 14th in this week’s AP Poll. With key players still getting over off-season surgeries and several talented freshmen being integrated into the team, Landers’ squad could go to the Final Four! Give them the support they need this Thursday night at 7pm at home against the 7th-ranked LSU Lady Tigers.
By Greg
January 30, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
Andy Landers has lost either 13 or 14 straight games to top 10 opponents so the Final 4 is VERY unlikely. Maybe he and the Lady Dawgs can break that streak this week vs LSU.
By Tim
January 30, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
Looking at the schedule, the next few games are rough, but after that there’s a 4-game stretch against south carolina the western division cupcakes. then the dawgs end the season at home against tennessee. 10-6 is not out of the question at this point and maybe a 5 or 6 seed in the tournament. i wouldn’t want to see them in the second round after the schedule that they’ve played.
By titletown
January 30, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this
you better try to match up with us in roundball because you will NEVER match up with us on the gridiron…CHOP CHOP…….GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GATORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By rockymtndawg
January 30, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
Its time to put our resources into this program, the facilities are a disgrace. We have to realize our program will never compete with KY or FL because any coach who does make two NCAAs is out the door. They can look across campus and see the monthly Sanford renovations. Lets demand Damon Evans at least form some feasability study/commission to look into a facility that makes recruits, coaches and fans want to come to GA. If not, will be talking about coach (insert name here) and how we can’t loose him like we did with Tubby and Felton.
By High Pockets
January 30, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
Thanks for your comment, Greg. However, the Lady Dawgs beat Stanford on 11/26/06. Stanford was ranked 11th then and is 8th now. You’re right about this week’s game against 7th-ranked LSU being a good barometer of how far they can go in March. Go Dawgs!
By Tournamentbound
January 30, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this
It looks like Tennessee’s best player, Chris Lofton, will be out of the game tomorrow. If Vandervilt isn’t making the 3 ball, the Dawgs have a great chance to win both games going into Wednesday’s showdown with gayturds. the STEG will be rockin’. UGA,UGA,UGA
By DirkDawggler
January 30, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this
Please lock up Dennis Felton with a long term contract.
By Virtual Rambo
January 30, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
Bam. Pow. Kabang. Uumph. Smack.
Hey NationalChamps…I just virtually kicked your virtual a*. Go play in real traffic, jerk.
By Brandon
January 30, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
What an exciting team to watch! I think Coach Dennis Felton is an awesome coach. I wouldn’t trade him for any other coach in the SEC. GOOO DAWGS!!!
By Bart
January 30, 2007 01:37 PM | Link to this
Coach Felton is a class act all the way: great coach, great role model. He very well may be the coach of the year in the SEC. He has taken some good players and some average players and made them extremely competitive in the country’s toughest league. Go Dawgs!
By Jacket Backer
January 30, 2007 03:35 PM | Link to this
I’m a Tech fan but you have to take your hat off to Felton. The class he exhibits is exemplary and the coaching job he has done over the last couple years has been fantastic. Taking over the program from that moron Harrick and working with penalties and fewer scholarships than his competitors must be frustrating and exhausting, but you would never know from Felton’s actions. He is all class. Just be careful UGA, Felton is a hot coaching commodity. Other schools are gonna make a play for him ala Tubby Smith.
By NewnanDawgCD
January 30, 2007 05:22 PM | Link to this
Wow, I never thought I would say this, but welcome Jacket fans. The only ones that have blogged here so far have had very rational, constructive things to say, unlike the ridiculous Gator fans that are obviously sitting around in their cutoff jean shorts with the time to monitor every blog since they are unemployed. Get a job so that you only have time for your own state’s blogs. Anyway, on another positive note, I agree with everyone giving Coach Felton credit, but let’s not forget the hard work of the players. Levi Stukes and Steve Newman have been there from the ugly beginning and stuck with Coach Felton through the worst. Terrance Woodbury is finally able to play his own position instead of filling in at forward. Dave Bliss can actually get to the bench when his back is killing him. Many of these players played the full 40 min in several games 2 years ago and wouldn’t have the energy to celebrate with the few fans even when we did win. I’m excited for them that they finally can have some fun and are getting some attention. They’ve worked harder than any team in the country and it’s starting to pay off. Congrats to them, I’m proud to be a Dawg fan!
By thunderboltdawg
January 30, 2007 08:31 PM | Link to this
Hey, Schultz…one decent article won’t make me forget how anti-Dawg you are. What? Did we not lose a big football commit that you could write about? Tech is pretty down this year, though.
By Kent
January 30, 2007 08:58 PM | Link to this
Enjoy this ride UGA fans - it won’t last long. Especially when Georgia gets hammered this weekend at Vandy. Sweep Vandy? I think not. You may have our number in football, (except this year, haha), but take a quick glance at the overall record between these two teams. Case closed. Georgia basketball = NIT.
By MR
January 31, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this
Enjoy this ride — indeed. This Bulldog team is fun to watch even in losing. Vandy, Smandy
By CalDawg
January 31, 2007 01:19 AM | Link to this
It’s great to finally see that the AJC can cover the Dawgs who play on the court with just a sliver of the effort they put into covering the Dawgs on the field. As a diehard Dawg fan of the pigskin and the roundball, it’s nice to see Felton getting some love for resurrecting the program from the Harrick ashes. Every time I see Jarvis Hayes run the floor with the Wiz or see Damien, I curse the Harrick name for stealing those guy’s last year together. And I count my blessings that Felton is on our sideline.