AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2008 > March > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFelton’s team shows it merits big stage
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
Washington — They groused about the officiating, but the gripes weren’t heartfelt. They might have lost the game, but the Georgia Bulldogs knew full well they’d won the month and the season and their longstanding struggle for credibility. They won’t be national champions, but they’re no longer the program that, just five years ago, removed itself from the NCAA tournament in shame.
Georgia returned to the national stage on Thursday and exited with its dignity not just intact but enhanced. The team that finished last in the SEC East gave a No. 3 seed a rough ride — “We had control of the game,” Dennis Felton said — yielding to a late Xavier surge and a barrage of free throws. No dishonor in that.
“We’re content with the fact we won the SEC,” junior guard Billy Humphrey said. “But we definitely weren’t ready to go home.”
About here, we must step back and try to put this in context: The team that entered the SEC tournament expected to lose its first game and then its coach not only played its way into the NCAA tournament but led a heavy favorite by nine points at halftime, by 11 four minutes into the second half, by seven inside the final 10 minutes. The team that was 4-12 in the SEC regular season was this close to Round 2 of the Big Dance.
And where, everybody was wondering, had this tough and resourceful bunch been a month ago, when Georgia was completing the 10-losses-in-11-games slide that put Felton’s job in clear and present danger? Had the coach found five new guys on the waiver wire?
“I have a pretty simple answer,” Felton said. “We’ve always been pointing in this direction. But there’s such a fine line between winning and losing, and so many games we competed well enough to win except for a moment or two at the end. And then we started making timely shots, and we began to develop confidence instead of wondering.”
We saw that Thursday. We saw Georgia, afire with a convert’s belief, take the fight to Xavier. We saw a No. 3 seed so rattled that it burned three timeouts in the first 23 minutes. “We had enough energy,” Humphrey said. “We thought we could steal a game … [But] once the whistles started going in their favor, you could feel [the Musketeers’] motors running.”
It came undone in the space of six possessions — two Georgia turnovers, two missed shots, eight blurry-fast Xavier points in transition — that took the 14th seed from five points ahead to three behind. But even near the end the Bulldogs had a chance, down three with 1:24 remaining, and then the noblest Dog of all did a silly thing: Sundiata Gaines fouled Drew Lavender 30 feet from the goal.
“That was an absolutely critical point,” Felton said. “I almost fell out of my chair.”
There’s a greater point, though: Felton enters the offseason still having a chair in Georgia’s athletics department, and in the course of eight days he and his program finally emerged from Harrick Hell.
“As we continue to progress and be a member of this tournament on a regular basis,” Felton said, “we’ll remember this as a starting point.”
A man asked Felton if, for all he accomplished at Western Kentucky and all he might still accomplish, this coach could ever win anything bigger than those four games in Atlanta. “Yeah,” he said. “The national championship.”
Felton was smiling, but he wasn’t kidding. “We want to be consistently in the NCAA tournament picture all the time,” he said. “We want Georgia to be a fixture at the top of the food chain.”
Georgia. At the summit. In men’s basketball. A week ago the questioner would have laughed out loud. Now he simply thought to himself, “Hey, stranger things have happened.”
Because one just did.
Permalink | Comments (39) | Post your comment | Categories: Mark Bradley, UGA / SEC
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By Joe
March 20, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
Congrats to Coach Felton, Sundiata Gaines, Dave Bliss and the rest of the 2007-08 TornaDogs…I cannot believe what you accomplished last weekend and I hope it sets a new standard for UGA Hoops.
Thanks for the memories!
By Gdog
March 20, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
Great run for Georgia. There is no shame in loosing to Xavier, we put up a good fight, we just ran out of steem at the end. This was a remarkable run for us and one I will never forget as a Georgia fan. Now I can’t believe I am saying this but I am actually excited for Georgia basketball next year. I believe with the starters we have returning, we can really make a run again and especially at an NCAA title. Again, great run for Georgia and what a year it has been. Go Dawgs!
By Tim
March 20, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
Great end to a horrible season! If we can win four of the last five, against this level of competition, was is the excuse for 4-12 in the conference? Is Tubby Smith available?
By Black Mountain Dawg
March 20, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this
A standing ovation to this team and its seniors. Not just for this last week, but also for believing in a program for 4 tough years. Let’s hope the underclassman keep the intensity and us, the fans, keep the belief in this program; if for nothing else but next year’s seniors who could strike magic anytime.
By Scott
March 20, 2008 8:33 PM | Link to this
Keep those heads high! Truly this is a turning point in the UGA men’s basketball program. Bigger and better seasons on the way! Go Dawgs!
By Dawgtime
March 20, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
I can’t tell you how proud I am for this team. Coach Felton is a great man and a great coach. I was the one posting responses in support for him during the bad times this season. Watch his reaction when Mike Mercer destroyed his knee. He truly cared about the young man. It is easy to say that the Harrick mess cannot continue to be an excuse and that is somewhat true. You must look at what Coach has had to deal with. The Brophy kid is killed in a car wreck. He was a chemistry guy for the team. Mike Mercer tears his knee up and sours as a person. He believed the NBA hype. Two freshmen have serious injuries. The Brown kid has no business being in college, but Coach gave him a chance to make him a better person. The kid from Africa has problems in school. Louis Williams, a great high school talent, never plays for UGA. Kendrick Johnson develops a case of homesickness and apathy and quits. The big 7’0 quits because he isn’t as good as people tell him. The truth of the matter is that Coach Felton is attempting instill a work ethic and habits that will translate to a better life for these young men. Some of the young men cannot handle the change and refuse to give up the thug lifestyle. He is helping these boys become productive men. He is not the Shark that coached at UNLV and Fresno State. That man accepted anyone and allowed any misbehavior for the sake of winning. Coach Felton is a class act and a true asset to the University of Georgia. We are lucky to have him. I am proud of the team and the future is very bright. Go Dawgs.
By Noah
March 20, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
yes these are exciting times to be a UGA basketball fan. Imagine if they won back to back national championships. Wonder what Bradley would say then? As far as ready for the big stage- you have to win at least a first round game to say that. Deonte Thompson was awesome in first practice yesterday. Go Gators.
By Dawg Knowledge
March 20, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
Hey Noah-Speaking of the Gaterds, how are they fairing in the Not In There Tourney?? Hopefully Florida will win the NIT so they can atleast finsh 66th in the NCAA this year! Talk about not being ready for the big stage, you guys had like what 3 Mcdonald’s all-americans? Nice season! Bwaaahahahaaaaa
By let's stay in reality here
March 20, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
This team realistically did not belong in the NCAA’s. The excitement of the four wins in four days was tremendous —but let’s not forget that we were 4-12 in a weak SEC this year and finished last in the east.
Yes we won the SEC tourney, were rightfully rewarded with a #14 seed in the west, and lost to a very good Xavier team —getting outscored by 23 in the final 17 minutes of the game.
But one week does not make for an entire season. We had a stretch of 2-11 in conference play at the end of the regular season. There is a lot of work to be done before next season —let’s hope that this end-of-the-year excitement carries over into next season.
By greg
March 20, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
Look, I was at the game today, so I don’t want to hear the usual stuff about loyalty, etc. How many Felton lovers actually pay for admission?
The reason UGA lost today is the same reason we lost so MANY games this year. An opponent elevates its defensive pressure and UGA’s offense is reduced to a hope and a prayer!
In the first half, Georgia’s defense (which is generally excellent) caused Xavier a lot of trouble. So what happens? — Sean Miller’s team comes out in the second half and surgically attacks UGA’s zone defenses to great effect. Xavier also raises its defensive pressure and guess what happens? Oh, we witness the usual lost puppies trying to hoist up prayers before the shot clock expires.
Coach Felton has proclaimed “progress” for five years with but one — yes, one — NCAA appearance. Dog Nation thinks it has arrived. What a joke!
With the level of basketball talent in Atlanta, it wouldn’t take a good coach long to restore luster to the program. Bt as long as UGA is influenced by a bunch of mindless loyalists who accept mediocrity and excuses, we will continue to laud 17-17 records as “progress.” It’s rather silly, really, and these are the same “fans” (i.e. “fools”) who would, had they had their way, still have us with Donnan as our football coach.
UGA’s lackluster BB program is simply a reflection of its fan base that is willing to put up with a Div. II level coach. These are the fans that laud Felton as a conquering hero despite a 8-12 confernece record (after the SEC tournament!). I’m proud of the team too, but not so pleased with our coach who was so learly outclassed by Xavier’s Coach Sean Miller.
By JJ
March 20, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Any UGA fan that uses this forum to complain about anything should be ashamed. What was just accomplished by the UGA team was the GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT IN THE PROGRAM’S HISTORY. It ranks Top 5 greatest achievements in the entire University’s storied history. Save your criticisms (toward Felton or anyone else associated with this team) for a day sometime in the future. Give the guys a few days to enjoy what they did.
By Martin
March 20, 2008 11:04 PM | Link to this
We had a tough season but we did put it together at the end. I see real progress with this program. We are winning the right way. Give us a few more players and watch what we do in the next couple of years. UGA is slowly but surely getting better. I’m proud of what we accomplished in a year that could’ve easily been forgotten. Good job Felton and Go Dawgs!
By quaildawg
March 20, 2008 11:31 PM | Link to this
I’ll give Coach Felton this much credit. It is said ‘stand for something or you will fall for everything.’ Coach Felton took a stand early on with this program and has not waivered from his core that “either do it our way or hit the road”. Even when it looked realistic that he was going to be canned due to lack of production from a decimated and undermanned team. It truly hit me as to the magnitude of what this TEAM acomplished in Atlanta last weekend when I took my daughter to the send off for the TEAM on Tuesday. Standing there and observing EIGHT (plus one who could not compete due to injury) YES EIGHT!!! young men board that bus I was even more awed at the fortitude that it took for those young men to grind it out for three games in 30+ hours against the elite of the SEC. No sour grapes here and no regrets for this loss. I SAY HERE, HERE AND A GREAT THANK YOU FOR A FEAT THAT WILL BE LONG REMEMBERED IN THE ANNALS OF UGA AND SEC SPORTS. THERE IS ALOT OF FIGHT IN THIS SMALL GROUP THAT SHOULD BE APPRECIATED FOR A GREAT LESSON OF PERSERVERENCE. (most when given the stacked odds would have folded like a cheap suit) DAMN GOOD DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DAMN GOOD DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By AfroDawg
March 20, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
Here’s some logic for you complainers, it doesn’t really matter how many 4 star, or 5 star players you have unless those players mesh. A team can be comprised mostly of average guys if those guys play smart and complete the drills. UGA really missed having a player like the late Kevin Brophy, simply because he would have been an experienced senior point, and Gaines would’ve benefitted immensely.
By Whatever...
March 21, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this
A losing season capped off with a 4 game winning streak (followed by a loss) all against unranked opponents and now we’re stuck with Felton for another year. Let’s just move onto football. Just remove all the basketball junk off the AJC Bulldogs Sports Page.
By DCLee
March 21, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
I was at the game in DC. Great effort by the Dawgs. We ran out of steam in the end but were really jobbed by the refs. The disparity in free throws was ridiculous. Bliss and others were unable to play defense with the one sided whistle happy refs. Cheers to a great season finish nonetheless.
By pj
March 21, 2008 1:11 AM | Link to this
greg?
Quite a version of reality you suggested, but here’s mine…
I won’t begin to mention any of the transgressions from all that happened prior to this season - and there were many as I’m sure you know…
We lost our tallest player and best shot blocker (Singleton 7’2”)
We lost our best low post scorer and rebounder (TK Brown)
We lost our best athelete and best defender (Mike Mercer)
We lost our supposed two most talented freshmen due to injuries…
We rotated in a very green Albert Jackson, a very untalented, however inspirational player in Dave Bliss and a walk-on in Corey Butler…
Yet… we are SEC tourney champs, only lose 2 guys (yes, losing Gaines is tough) and have our best incoming frosh class in years on the way.
I called for Felton’s head on one of these blogs, but I did it without really looking at what was what. It was a knee jerk - win now - attitude.
Yeah sure - it’s easy to see the grass as green when you watch a miracle happen… but it happened… and Felton led it.
Next year its Jackson, Price, Barnes and the HS All American Tompkins in the post. Woodbury and Humphrey are our outside shooters, and if Swansey or the other new kid can run the point - this is a great base for success..
proud as can be and go dawgs.
By PHIL
March 21, 2008 2:41 AM | Link to this
Greg is an idiot, and so is anyone else who measures college athletics by wins only.
By Bunk
March 21, 2008 5:25 AM | Link to this
There is no way UGA belonged in this tournament. The auto-bid was the only reason. Some better teams were left out because of this flaw in the NCAA committee’s rules. No question.
By stendec
March 21, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
Congratulations hoop Dawgs! I generally keep up from time to time with UGA hoop women (due to winning tradition) but have ignored the UGA hoop men as I have the Hawks. Latter programs in total disarray. I LOVE UGA! That said, do not crucify me for next remark. Savor this fleeting glory because all will return to mediocre normalcy next season. What happened after Falcons went to Super Bowl and Thrashers won division title? Right. Total collapses! Fear same scenario with hoop Dawgs. Oh well, that is future heartache. Enjoy the moment. It was a stellar ride. Thanks for SEC championship memories!
By Thomaston Dawg
March 21, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
Congratulations are definitely in order for Sundiata Gaines and Dave Bliss. Both are upstanding young men and warriors on the court who have had to struggle through what was some of the possibly worst years of Georgia basketball. They presevered and came out the other side better men for it. They certainly deserved a trip to the NCAAs and a shot at a great team like Xavier.
While we appear to have a good recruiting class coming in for next year, we will certainly miss their fire and leadership. Best of luck in all their future endeavors and we will always remember you and the weekend of March 14-16, 2008.
By JAMIE
March 21, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
I am going to go ahead and say what everyone else has been dancing around-the officiating bias in favor of xavier cost UGA this game. 33 free throws for Xavier as opposed to 5 for UGA speaks for itself. If Georgia breathed hard they were calling a foul while letting Xavier absolutely mug our players. Anyone can turn up the defensive pressure when they are allowed to foul the other team with immunity. I think the bottom line is that they do not want to admit that they got the seeding wrong so they do everything they can to give the higher seeded team the advantage-just my opinion.
By robodog
March 21, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
A sad goodbye to Gaines and Bliss, DGDs. They left us a defining moment to build on. And happy not to be saying goodbye to Felton. Go Dawgs!
By Steven
March 21, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this
Hey Whatever!! Believe it or not there are a few of us UGA fans who prefer basketball to football. And since the spotlight is on UGA Football the rest of the year, why don’t you go SDASTFU for a bit. By next week, you’ll have your precious spring practice back on the front page.
By Hey Bunk
March 21, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
“There is no way UGA belonged in this tournament. The auto-bid was the only reason. Some better teams were left out because of this flaw in the NCAA committee’s rules. No question”
That better team was Ole Miss. Since the Dawgs beat them on Thus. in the SEC tourney, I wouldn’t feel so bad.
By scooter11
March 21, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Gee, Bunk. Great insight. Do you rally think any Dawg fans don’t get the fact that we wouldn’t have been in the tournament without winning the Tournament? But we DID win the Tournament, we therefore DID belong there, and we DID go. Your team obviously didn’t, but thanks for having Georgia on your mind (you, too, Noah).
Whatever: Whatever.
And, pj, good analysis, but don’t forget Kevin Brophy, to whom the season was dedicated in memoriam.
By Dawg Guy
March 21, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
I am glad “Hey Bunk” doesn’t feel so bad…..because reading his comments gives me a headache! Just what is he trying to say? What is his point?
I am very proud of Felton and his team for playing so well in the SEC. For their efforts, they were rewarded a NCAA bid and proved yesterday that they belonged.
By wilson
March 21, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
You guys are nuts….UGA is no good. They got lucky and beat 4 very mediocre teams in the SEC tourney. They didn’t even have to play the only 2 good SEC teams (Tennessee and Vandy). Xavier played terribly in the first half and you still could not beat them. Get real….stick to football.
By TheBigBone
March 21, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
Oh boo hoo!! Blame it on the refs. They did not belong. You backed in by a luck. 4-12 in the SEC does not cut it.
By Kevin
March 21, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
I just want to say that I am proud to be part of the Bulldog Nation…These guys played their butts off and had be on the edge of my seat every game…I am a Bulldog Basketball fan for life…Hopefully this run energizes the team and we can build a program…Now its up to the fans to come and support the dogs next year…I know Ill be there!!!
By Jaime Gaverts
March 21, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
Let’s see…..the refs cost you the game or blowing a 12 point lead in the second half cost you the game? You had a chance and Gaines fouls a guy 40 feet from the hoop. And it was the refs fault, huh?
By Bravesfan79
March 21, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
Congrats to UGA basketball on their run, but the State still belongs to Georgia Tech when it comes to mens Basketball! Owell…im ready for opening day… Braves will surprise alot of pple this year!
By JJ2
March 21, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
You have to keep the auto-bid for a conference tournament winner in the mix. It’s what gives about 200 teams there only chance to get to the dance. It’s fair even if a team like UGA is inferior to others that did not make it. There have been sweet 16 teams better that got in on a conference tourney championship that otherwise would not have made it.
By Comin' Down The Track
March 21, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
It is a shame that some folks simply are too stubborn to admit when they are wrong. These Dawgs played their guts out, and deserved everything they got because they earned it, Bunk. pj, thanks for showing enough grace to own up to your mistake. This is what we call, “Being an adult.” There has been too large of a climate of “Even though everything points to my being utterly freaking wrong on all points, I will never change my mind because that shows weakness” going around lately; but you know what? That’s wrong, too. Being able to admit when you’re wrong shows great strength, character and class just like the Dawgs did this past week. Go Dawgs.
By AltamahaDawg
March 21, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
greg, somehow I get the feeling that you were right there with the biggest “fools”, supporting Jim Donnan when he was beating Fl, and getting top 5 rankings.
By AltamahaDawg
March 21, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
track, I dont think that its even a case of admitting being wrong about Felton per se’. Personally, I dont think anything that happened recently should have changed anyones mind about Dennis Felton. If the only reason to say he needs to be our coach is his freakish ability to run the table in a tornado delayed tourney, thats not a great reason. And I don’t believe for a minute thats how our AD makes decisions. Personally, I think its the entirety of the situation, that was bringing Felton back anyway. The SEC just gave Evans the opportunity to delare that earlier. Otherwise he would have waited till some of the tempers cooled a bit and rationally explained where he thought Felton was in the big pictures.
BUT it certainly IS a question of having at least a small degree of good graces and recognition that you don’t Blast somebody hours after thier greatest professional accomplishment. Its Low Class. Not to mention continuing a crusade to get somebody fired, after you know it ain’t happening, is pretty self-serving.
By Dawg Fud
March 21, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Way to go Dawgs! Looking forward to next season.
By Tech fan
March 21, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
All year long all Bulldog fans were talking about a national championship in basketball and then you lose in the first round. Serves you right.
By gdawginkalamazoo
March 21, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
I am proud of the way the team wrapped up the season. I like the job Coach Felton has done in spite of the W/L record he is running a clean program and making the tough decisions with the student athletes. Thanks Coach for keeping it respectable.
Besides, does anybody on here want Adams to have anything to do with the decision on hiring a basketball coach?