AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > December > 08 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGaines turns into ‘warrior’ to boost Dogs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Athens — No way Georgia’s depleted basketball team was supposed to spend Saturday afternoon at Stegeman Coliseum knocking the “Demon” and the “Deacons” out of Wake Forest. No way the Bulldogs were supposed to respond to all of their off-the-court issues with only a loss at stifling Wisconsin after seven games.
Then again, no way Sundiata Gaines would allow anything less. He is the Bulldogs’ Mr. Everything as their senior point guard. Mostly, he is the epitome of his name, which first belonged to Sundiata Keita, the 13th-century king of the Mali Empire in West Africa. To paraphrase, Sundiata means warrior.
“He was just a powerful leader who led his tribe through a lot of adversity,” said Gaines, after continuing his role as the Bulldogs’ 21st century Sundiata by pushing his frequently erratic but always energetic team to a 72-50 blowout of an ACC foe. It’s always the big things and the little things with Gaines. In addition to his game-high-tying 15 points, he led Georgia in rebounding (again) with nine, and he contributed five assists, two steals and zero turnovers in the second half.
We mention that turnover thing, because Gaines closed the first half with an uncharacteristic six. “I just came out too excited, and I was just trying to force a lot of things,” Gaines said. “In the second half, I realized that I had to calm down and be more relaxed. I was excited about the game, because we had a nice little crowd for the first time this year.”
What that noisy gathering of 7,800 saw was a group of Bulldogs failing to hold a pity party for themselves. They could, and they could start by whining over the Horrors of the Harricks that placed Georgia basketball in the NCAA slammer through much of this decade. There also was the program’s somber mood after the tragic death of Kevin Brophy through an automobile crash. Then came earlier this year, when several players decided that athletics director Damon Evans was just kidding or something when he enhanced the academic requirements and penalties for everybody on all Georgia teams.
Evans wasn’t kidding. Three Georgia basketball players were suspended a total of 30 games, and two eventually were kicked off the team. They were Mike Mercer and Takais Brown, the Bulldogs’ two leading scorers last season.
If that wasn’t enough, starting guard Billy Humphrey was arrested on a felony weapons charge after police searched the dorm room he shares with Mercer for marijuana. Even though Humphrey accepted a pretrial diversion program and rejoined the team, it still was more mess for a team that already was dealing with a lot of it.
It’s still early, of course, with pre-SEC games ahead for Georgia against Gonzaga and Georgia Tech after a Christmas tournament in Hawaii. Even so, those around the Bulldog Nation can rejoice over their 21st century Sundiata doing more than enough to help this bunch handle their messes for the moment.
Gaines has done so by example. It begins with his understanding that Evans wasn’t kidding. Not only that, Gaines wants to graduate on time with a degree in sociology, so he is taking 18 hours during each of his final two semesters. On a given day, he rises at 6:15 a.m., and then he goes to study hall, and then he goes to class, and then he goes to his tutoring session. “After that, we have practice, and after practice, I go back to another tutor, and that’s my day, which ends about 9 p.m., Monday through Friday,” Gaines said. “You want to set an example for everybody. It not only helps me out, but it helps my teammates out.”
In the meantime, the Bulldogs are helping themselves flirt with becoming the surprise team in the conference.
Added Gaines: “With the team we have now, we’re more focused. We’ve got better team chemistry. Nothing wrong with the guys that were here before, because they were great players, but now, guys are buying into what we’re doing on a daily basis, both offensively and defensively. Everybody’s playing hard, and we’re very unselfish.”
Especially Gaines, because warrior kings can do nothing less.
Permalink | Comments (31) | Categories: Terence Moore, UGA / SEC
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Robert
December 8, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this
A Terrible Moore article that I liked? The end is NIGH!!
By UGA2004
December 8, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this
I had the pleasure of watching him play my senior year at UGA, when Sundiata was a freshman, and I thought he looked pretty special. Guess I was right. I love UGA basketball, and want us to be a great team, but hats off to Coach Felton for not putting up with guys that dont want to follow the rules, and hats off to Sundiata for being a great player and a great Man!!! Go Dawgs, give the SEC hell!!!
By pj
December 8, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this
I watched the game on television today, and it was my first viewing of this years team. I have season tickets, but haven’t been to a game because I really gave up after we lost TK and Mercer… didn’t think we had a chance.
After watching the game, I have some hope. Wake Forest is no Duke or UNC mind you, and sometimes they looked totally lost on the court, but the dogs whipped an ACC basketball team with a good tradition. I pretty much can’t stand T Moore, but he shone the spotlight on a guy who deserves it. Sundiata Gaines is a guy who plays like David Pollack played for the football dogs - like his “hair is on fire”. Couple that with Humphries and Woodbury who have enormous potential, some REALLY talented Freshman, some huge guys in the middle in Jackson (6’10”) and Singleton (7’0”)and a a guy that plays way over his head with a fire (Bliss)and you have yourself a team that truly could make it to the NCAA tournament.
Good luck ‘Yata and good luck Hoop Dawgs!
By ODELL THURMAN
December 8, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this
I is upset cause they be only bout 300 fans at the only game we beat a ACC team.
By UGARC
December 8, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this
UGA Bulldog Basketball was on FIRE today! Good job team! Come on folks support them. (Nice comments Terence)
By big fabric softena'
December 8, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this
I am a proud grad. ‘92 when women would f*** ugly men for sport…now my dumb son is in athens and can’t screw a sorority w******* to save his life AMerica is heading down hill when a perfectly good white boy can’t get laid..Im glad the girls in the X gen knew what to do with a boner
By Dr Morpheus
December 8, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this
Who wants to be first to mention that both Terrence and Yata are African-Americans? Guess I’m it. Thanks for the history lesson: Some of us Georgia Crackers don’t know that Sub-Saharan Africa produced advanced nations long before the Europeans dropped in (just like some of us don’t know when to drop the lame Odell Thurman/Tony Cole etc impersonations). Getting to the Big Dance would be a fitting climax for Mr. Gaines’ UGA career and with the leaner, meaner team, why not?
By Snoop Doggie
December 8, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this
After all of the bad things that happened under Harrick, I am glad to see a tough coach take a stand. Mark Richt should pay attention.
By brewdawg
December 8, 2007 9:27 PM | Link to this
Terrance, Thanks for righting a positive for a change! Keep it up!
By TW
December 8, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this
With all due respect Mr. Moore, please stay away from the Gerogia Bulldogs. Your level of journalism is far better suited for the Falcons, or even the Hawks.
By ODELL THURMAN
December 8, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this
shout out to my boy TONY COLE…dis one fo U bro.
We beat an ACC team!!!
By GTU4Life
December 9, 2007 2:45 AM | Link to this
I can’t wait until UGA plays Georgia Tech University. I haven’t seen the GTU squad in action this season aside from a few minutes of that near loss to Georgia State the other night. It’ll be interesting to see if GTU Jackets can keep up w/this young UGA team. It seems GTU hasn’t had a quality point guard since Stephon Marbury graduated…er, I mean stopped going to class.
By garystockton
December 9, 2007 7:40 AM | Link to this
The Ga team is a team that is on the right track, if Mr Felton is able to recruit nation wide and get a few more blue chip recruits the sky is limit for years to come.He most certainily has the team going in the right direction.Let us all support him and his efforts to keep these young guys p;aying well and keeping them working hard in class
By MikeyDawg
December 9, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this
Us Dawgs still strugglin in readin writin and rithmatic? I thought most of em was in the Harrick College of Sports at UGA like most of the football team. he he he
By TONY COLE
December 9, 2007 7:56 AM | Link to this
Hey ODELL! Stop bogartin and pass de blunt! Go you hairy a* Dawggs!
By Corbitt
December 9, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
Can we get over the Harrick thing?? We can blame the first two years of losing on him but not the last three. College basketball teams everywhere are younger than us and win more. It is time for Felton to step up and start winning some SEC games.
That being said, everything you wrote about Gaines is right on and that is why he is a crowd favorite!!!
By Dr Morpheus
December 9, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
Observation: TM delivers articulate and thoughful praise for one of the Dawgs’ best and almost no one comments. TM delivers controversial, out-of-the-box take and Bulldog Nation goes nuts screaming at him to leave town and get a different career. Hmmm.
By jbird
December 9, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this
It would be worthwhile to note that Felton said the weapon for which Humphrey was arrested on a felony charge was barely over 2” long. It is very possible that even President Michael Adams has a similar “weapon” in his office and would also be subject to a felony charge if his office were searched. By not disclosing this the details on Humphrey’s arrest, it makes him seem like a gangster, which he of course is not. There may be more to this case, but Felton doesn’t seem to think so.
By ODELL THURMAN
December 9, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
Yo TONY COLE I be downtown Miami bailing my boy Randy McMicheal out of jail again. His ol lady got out of line.
Coach Richt use to bail us out, since we aint homies no mo, we gots to take care of own.
I get dat blunt to ya gee, when I’s get back
By ODELL THURMAN
December 9, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this
SHOUT OUT TO Dr Morpheus U be talking way over our heads gee. What schol yu go to bro?
By Dr Morpheus
December 9, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this
As of today, Yata leads UGA in minutes played, points per game, rebounds, steals, and assists. The TV feature about him was a delight, too. Kudos to TM and Coach Felton. Between the Hoops Dawgs and UGA’s two Rhodes Scholars, some of the stereotypes that float around the AJC blogs may need to be revisited.
By Dawgtime
December 9, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
As everyone knows by now, I love UGA. I am very excited about the future of all of the teams at UGA. I am very impressed by Dennis Felton. IMO, the man should be given a five year extension because he is doing it the right way. He is not cheating in recruiting. He is not allowing thug over-hyped athletes to run his program. He does not compromise his principles. He doesn’t sign a kid just to get to publicity for it. He signs kids and turns then into responsible men. Jim Harrick epitomized what is wrong with college basketball. He was all about winning at any cost. Coach Felton inherited a mess and is cleaning it up. In terms of basketball, I am very excited about this season and the future. Next season, we will have the most talented team that we have had in years. Combine that with execution of coaching strategies and you have the recipe for success. The starting five for next season will probably be: Center Albert Jackson 6’10 kid with excellent size and power. PF Jeremy Price 6’8 with all the post moves. Future All-SEC. SF Terrance Woodbury 6’6 kid that is a great scorer. Billy Humphrey 6’2 kid that is a great shooter and emerging leader. PG Zac Swansey 6’1, the first true PG in years. Backups C Rashaad Singleton 7’0 great shot blocker that has really improved through the years. This kid works hard. PF Trey Thompkins 6’8, the next superstar for UGA. This kid can do everything. SF Jeremy Jacob 6’7 kid that has an excellent skill set. Loves to post up. Middle game is impressive. SG Troy Brewer 6’5, great shooter. PG Dustin Ware 6’0, great kid, high character. Will be a true asset to the team. Chris Barnes 6’7 warrior. This kid loves to power dunk. Great power game Corey Butler 6’3 great kid that does anything to help the team. Drazen Zlovaric 6’10 kid that brings international game. Can shoot and handle the ball. Mix in a Walter Hill and you have the mixture to a great team. Sundiata Gaines is a great player and person. I am excited about the future of the Dawgs. Coach Felton is a great coach. Just give him time to prove it.
By newteamgeardotcom
December 9, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
go dawgs
By DawgHare
December 9, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
Hey Terrance- some of us actually realize that not ALL of your columns will be positive when writing about anything, let alone sports. Not all of us are ignorant. This was a good column about a great player for UGA- thanks! I admit I tempered my expectations quite a bit after the suspensions and guys getting kicked off the team, but yesterday’s win opened my eyes. Yeah, yeah, Wake isn’t Duke, but still, to blow them out like that was a pleasant surprise. Hey PJ! I hope you’re selling or giving those season tickets to someone who WILL go to games if you won’t. Or, be a fan and go yourself b/c Georgia will win some games this year. Respectfully, DH
By NW Dawg
December 9, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
Who cares about basketball?? UGA isn’t about basketball. It’s about FOOTBALL. Our logo is in the shape of a FOOTBALL. Get a grip about basketball. All you’ll invite is some stupid a* gator, or worse some kentucy hillbilly to put us down. let’s focus on FOOTBALL - we have a Sugar Bowl to proof to everyone that we belonged in the NC. That’s what we’re all about. Dr. Morphine - take some of your own s*t and leave us alone. God Dawgs!!!!!!!! Sic’Em!!!!!!!!!
By FLA DAWG
December 9, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this
BOYCOTT MOORE: DO NOT BLOG HERE!!!!
By FLA DAWG
December 9, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this
BOYCOTT MOORE: DO NOT BLOG HERE!!
By Wyl
December 9, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
Thanks,TM, for the positive comments. They’re a wecome change.
By WylDawg
December 9, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
TM, thanks for the positive comments; a most welcome change.
By Rueben Houston
December 9, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
Yo Terrence — Thanks for the history lesson….nothing better than sittin’ around suckin’ on the bong all day and thinking back when I was playing football for the Yellow Jackets and trafficking and dealing drugs…and to think these sucka GT nerds always talking about how we was such great student athletes and that is why we always got our a$$ kicked by the Dawgs…hell, even after I got busted with over 100lbs of weed, I still got to play for the Yellow Jackets — we still got our a$$ kicked, but I gots to be a playa…but, I am just loser now trying to score another shipment so I can keep those bills paid.
By Dr Morpheus
December 9, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this
Checking back to see if anyone has posted on TM’s fine article- I’m a little disappointed with the lack of response here. I guess people are more interested in YELLING at one another about whose fans are the most obnoxious and who’s gonna do what to whom. The one line AJC blog-poll about the Heisman has more piling on than a rugby scrum. And, I’m not sure why some people chose this blog to do that “former players with problems” routine. I found it amusing yesterday on a different blog because it lightened things up; but, it feels really out of place in this context. But, to humor “Odell,” I graduated from UGA before Herschel came along; but, I got to watch him in Oxford, Mississippi while I was doing an internship in Psychology in Jackson. Yep, I really am a doc of the post-hole digging variety. And I feel flattered today because someone used my handle to make a stupid post on the Heisman free-for-all.