UGA

By Ft Worth Dawg

January 22, 2007 04:01 PM | Link to this

Either a Pack of Hungry Dogs or a Pack of Angry Dogs.

By AlphaDawg

January 22, 2007 04:16 PM | Link to this

I say they win one and lose one. Kentucky and LSU are both coming off losses themselves so they’re not exactly riding high. LSU got whipped by Arkansas - Kentucky was knocked off at home by Vandy.

Love to see them win both but that might be a stretch. I’ll be there on Sunday…

By crash and burn

January 22, 2007 04:20 PM | Link to this

.

By brewdawg

January 22, 2007 04:22 PM | Link to this

Chip, I’ll be at the Kentucky game. We need this game really, really bad after the Alabama fiasco. I don’t really blame the officials, because as you and several Dogs have stated, it never, ever should have come to that. Win this game and we’ll be back on track. Go Dawgs!

By Stuck at work

January 22, 2007 04:37 PM | Link to this

I watched the first half Saturday, but had to leave and recorded the second half “just in case it got close.” I was listening on the radio to the call and watched the recording when I got home. Man, we got jobbed but bad breaks happen when you blow a lead like that in somebody else’s house. The refs can’t miss all of those calls, but if we want to take that leap and become a good team we CANNOT blow leads like that. It ruined my weekend.

Big games this weekend, though and I can’t wait to see how they respond. Felton always gets them playing well against Kentucky and LSU should be a good one, too. We need them both and I hope the place is packed. Go Dawgs!

By honest_abe

January 22, 2007 04:42 PM | Link to this

horrible no call at the end of the game.. i didn’t think sundiata tied him up long enough to warrant a jump ball call, but my god ronald steele shuffled his feet at least 3 different times and should have been called for traveling!

but yes the bigger issue is how the dawgs crumbled in the 2nd half. i felt when the dawgs got out to an early lead, from that point on they needed to drive the ball and take shots closer to the hoop (feed takais!) draw fouls which would’ve made a bigger impact at the end of the game.

but hopepfully this young team will learn from this game, you still got to love the job coach felton has done with this team! Great JOB coach felton!!!!!!

GOOOOO DAWGS!

By Big Dawg

January 22, 2007 04:45 PM | Link to this

I didn’t get to see the game as CBS broadcast Villanova/Texas here, but I did see some of the highlights and the officials missed and/or made a lot of bad calls in the second half. We will see if this team has character this Wednesday and Sunday respectively. It is obvious to me that Coach Felton has our team on the right track, hopefully the Steg will be rocking for both games and we will get some of those home court calls by the officials in our favor for a change. Go Dawgs

By rick

January 22, 2007 04:49 PM | Link to this

Hey Chip- Up by 19 points and the main theme of your reporting is the last 10 seconds of the game on the road? Traveling? shot clock? I would bet that no team in the SEC has 5 traveling calls in the SEC season. Whiners are losers. The Dawgs are making progress, but give Bama its due…they didn’t fold, UGA did.

By **By Chip Towers**

January 22, 2007 05:10 PM | Link to this

Hey Rick, obviously you didn’t read my blog today so, in answer to your questions, here’s the four paragraphs in today’s blog that somewhat address that:

As a sports writer, it was a mess after that game. I was having to track down the head referee, the supervisor of officials, getting comments from the coaches and players. All the while scrambling around trying to get a look at the TV replay myself (the press row seats at Coleman Coliseum are awful when the players stand up on the team benches).

I got some e-mails from Bama fans claiming I was whining for Georgia and being a homer and such. As I wrote back to them, it wasn’t ME who had the problem with the calls, it was Georgia’s coaches and players, the team I cover, and they were asking for all kinds of clarifications and such. So that’s the story I was following and reported on. SEC officials said they screwed up on the shot-clock play but did not admit missing a walking call on Steele, though replays have since shown clearly that he did.

However, in making sure I got all the details on that situation, it was probably glossed over what a tremendous job Bama did in mounting such a big, dramatic comeback. They fought hard to get back into the game.

The bigger concern for Georgia is not being able to make a 19-point lead stand up. The Bulldogs were ahead 41-22 with five minutes left in the first half. So the bottom line is, they were out-scored 56-35 over the last 24:48 of that game. That’s what all the Georgia players were saying over at Stegeman on Monday: It shouldn’t have come down to that. And now the Dogs are 3-2 in the SEC instead of 4-1.

By **By Chip Towers**

January 22, 2007 05:10 PM | Link to this

Hey Rick, obviously you didn’t read my blog today so, in answer to your questions, here’s the four paragraphs in today’s blog that somewhat address that:

As a sports writer, it was a mess after that game. I was having to track down the head referee, the supervisor of officials, getting comments from the coaches and players. All the while scrambling around trying to get a look at the TV replay myself (the press row seats at Coleman Coliseum are awful when the players stand up on the team benches).

I got some e-mails from Bama fans claiming I was whining for Georgia and being a homer and such. As I wrote back to them, it wasn’t ME who had the problem with the calls, it was Georgia’s coaches and players, the team I cover, and they were asking for all kinds of clarifications and such. So that’s the story I was following and reported on. SEC officials said they screwed up on the shot-clock play but did not admit missing a walking call on Steele, though replays have since shown clearly that he did.

However, in making sure I got all the details on that situation, it was probably glossed over what a tremendous job Bama did in mounting such a big, dramatic comeback. They fought hard to get back into the game.

The bigger concern for Georgia is not being able to make a 19-point lead stand up. The Bulldogs were ahead 41-22 with five minutes left in the first half. So the bottom line is, they were out-scored 56-35 over the last 24:48 of that game. That’s what all the Georgia players were saying over at Stegeman on Monday: It shouldn’t have come down to that. And now the Dogs are 3-2 in the SEC instead of 4-1.

By The Truth

January 22, 2007 05:13 PM | Link to this

You win as a team and you lose as a team, but unfortunately the officials really did let the emotions of the crowd get to them. Terrible officiating throughout, not just in the final couple of minutes. A “make-up” walking call on Newman and a phantom foul call on him the very next possession really hurt down the stretch. Have to be impressed with the Dogs though, they were outmatched and undermaned but still played really well…they could have gotten caught up in the big win at Arkansas, but didn’t and certainly should have beaten Bama. I’ll be at the games Wednesday and Sunday…let’s pack out the Steg and get behind our b’ball team again!

By Marietta Dawg

January 22, 2007 05:18 PM | Link to this

I was pumped when I turned on this game the Dawgs were leading early. It’s about time that they were on CBS for a basketball game, it’s great national exposure. The only problem with national tv is that we lost and blew a huge lead! The Dawgs are making great progress, but to blow an 18 point lead on the road is horrible. Even though the calls were questionable and my weekend was ruined, plain and simple, they blew a huge lead! The good sign is that if we can hang with Bama, I have a feeling that we can give Kentucky and LSU a good run, since we have them at home. I can’t make it to Athens for the games, but hopefully the place will be rocking.

By High Pockets

January 22, 2007 05:33 PM | Link to this

I hope the gentlemen Dogs bounce back like the Lady Dogs did in the second half against FSU—-it could be a season-defining character lesson!

By ConyersDawg

January 22, 2007 05:46 PM | Link to this

Get him Chip!

Listen the dawgs come out hungry and ready to prove themselves. It’s Kentucky and to most people in the sec they are still the team to be measured by because of their proud history.

Bliss’s foul trouble hurt as well as Stukes not playing much that second half.

Dawgs will win and Takias is really becomming what we needed, an inside presence.

By colascdawg

January 22, 2007 05:50 PM | Link to this

Chip or anyone who saw the game, I had to track the game on the internet, what was the story with all of the fouls? Were we playing defense that tight, were we fatigued or did Bama just get the calls?

I know our defense has always been a little more on the aggressive side, but you would think in a game where you have an eight to ten point lead under ten minutes you would want to force the other team to beat you instead of stopping the clock and letting them shoot free throws. It seemed like Bama was going to the line every time down the court.

Frustrating loss in more ways than one…hopefully they will be strong and regroup for Tubby’s boys.

Go Dawgs!

By Mark

January 22, 2007 06:25 PM | Link to this

Technically, by rule, it is not a travel until the pivot foot has landed after you picked it up. If you look at the replay, Steele’s pivot foot was still in the air as he shot the ball and had not landed. Thus, while it sure looked like a travel, it was actually the correct call by the ref.

By **By Chip Towers**

January 22, 2007 06:41 PM | Link to this

Mark, he changed pivot feet, which is a travel in and of itself, THEN took three steps.

By GW

January 22, 2007 07:19 PM | Link to this

Bama shooting 27 free throws gave them ample opportunity to overcome a big deficit with the clock stopped. SEC officials will always try to protect a highly ranked team from the conference. Mark clearly is a Bama fan. That was traveling in every league except the NBA. Which foot was the pivot? They both were dancing a jig.

By UGA Mumm-Ra

January 22, 2007 07:40 PM | Link to this

Mark,

Steele traveled two times. His right foot was his pivot. He spun around and his right foot slid (travel #1). Then, he took a step with his left foot and raised his right (travel #2). You can leave your pivot foot to jump up for your shot. You cannot take another step with your non pivot foot and lift your pivot foot.

By Greg

January 22, 2007 07:41 PM | Link to this

Anyone who wouldn’t call this traveling is either blind or knows absolutely nothing about basketball…

http://youtube.com/watch?v=oMAZDXgHk7Y

Ridiculous. Felton had every right to be irate. That being said, there were many, many other plays that could have been made to keep them out of that situation…and you couldn’t have liked their chances in OT even if they’d made the right call.

By Darren

January 22, 2007 08:17 PM | Link to this

It all boils down to UGAg blowing a 19 point lead. I am sure the play at the end was not the ONLY play that cost them the game. Bottom line is you have to be able to close out the game. UGAg blew it, not the refs. It is easy to blame an entire game on one play, but that one play was not the entire game. It’s in the past now, and nothing can be done about it. I am sure Felton is not going to dwell on it since there are more games to be played.

By bbdawg81

January 22, 2007 08:34 PM | Link to this

I saw the whole game and was really upset becasue I thought the refs were very aggressive in calling ticky tacky fouls on the Dawgs and letting Bama get away with the same types of contact. I think our guys let up because they became skittish about the fouls. Just look at the difference in the number of times Bama went to the foul line compared to us. Yeah, we have to overcome that sort of thing, but I really believe the game should be reviewed and officials should be called to account. I don’t think I have ever seen a half of basketball with so many bad calls.

By Joseph Sparks

January 22, 2007 08:40 PM | Link to this

Chip you make some great points and i enjoy your reporting. As a student at Alabama I was happy with the result of the game (obviously) and I am mad we keep getting down so early in some of these SEC games. What exactly is the shot clock rule? The clock hit 0 while it was in the air and was caught by another player, doesn’t that negate the whole play anyways??? Plus the shot clock buzzer wasn’t working, as the CBS guys pointed out in the first half. Steele did walk but I can’t complain about it. Roll Tide and as a former Snellvillian, Go Comets

By **By Chip Towers**

January 22, 2007 09:10 PM | Link to this

Hey guys, just got home from a long day at Stegeman. Couldn’t get with Felton until after practice, which didn’t end until 7:30 p.m. There will be a story up on the site shortly but Felton hasn’t backed down an inch about the officiating in the Bama game. He sent a DVD to the league office that they’ll receive Tuesday that chronicled 23 bad calls that went against Georgia (his words, not mine). He wants some kind of action to be taken, even though there’s none to be had. This is going to get interesting.

So what do y’all think, obsession or a dedicated coach fighting for his players?

By Doug

January 22, 2007 09:16 PM | Link to this

Joseph,

In college, the shot clock rule is as follows- the ball must leave the shooter’s hand before the shot clock hits zero/shot clock buzzer goes off(not sure which) AND the ball MUST hit the rim. If it’s an airball, then it’s a turnover (a la NBA). According to the game tape, the shot Gaines took hit the rim before Brown caught it, and thus should not have been a violation.

By HawaiiDawg

January 22, 2007 09:57 PM | Link to this

Tough loss, but just maybe the difference between being elite team and a young growing one. Felton is a Coach, and if GA can keep him, they gonna be real good, soon. Count on it. He schedules good teams. He coaches up these kids. Program is in good hands. Watch em come on.

By NewnanDawg CF

January 22, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

[OK Chip, I’ll post this one. I think Coach Felton has done the right thing. By filing the complaint, he shows his players that he has their back and understands how difficult the loss was under the circumstances. However, at the same time he shows them how to improve and not let this happen again. Unfortunately, I hoped that Western Kentucky had taught them that. This team has really been coming together and playing better with almost every trip to the court. Takais is getting better timing with Mercer and Yata every week. I believe that they will have something to prove this week against Kentucky and LSU. I expect great things and will be there for both games to see them. One more thing; a lot of college kids would have lost their cool in a game on the road with that kind of officiating, and you could see the mounting frustrations. Let’s give these kids credit for maintaining composure and showing class. That also speaks highly of their coaching.]

Go Dawgs!

By CowetaDawg

January 22, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

Chip, I’d say it is more a coach standing up for his players. You’re right, the team had best not dwell on the sour grapes — especially with LSU & KY this week — but some of the “homer” calls that occur like they did with AL need to be addressed.

You do need to credit AL for the comeback, but a big reason why they were able to do this is because the GA players were getting killed with fouls and had to back up on “D” to prevent fouling out of the game. I suspect many of those comprise the list of 23 fouls pointed out in the DVD. GA kept a 10 pt + lead the entire 2nd half until the fouls just kept racking up on us. Compare that to the insane no-call at the end of the game with the travel-aided buzzer beater.

Someone needed to stand up for the team and Coach Felton did that.

That said, it’s time to hunker down for what hopefully will be a week with better play and better officiating.

Dawgs split two close games this week. Win against KY, but lose to LSU.

By Freedawg

January 22, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

BS Chip they got robbed and he should say something, anything he can to draw attention to the fact that too many times in college basketball and especailly in that game refs play too big a part. If indeed they did catch 23 obvious bad calls or non calls it should be out there to get corrected. UGA got that game stolen from them in more ways then the obvious travel at the end of the game. ESPN called that travel the WORST call or non call of the season so far, Felton should be p**. However, like a class act he followed the rules and the Dawgs will be ready on Wednesday

By drw

January 23, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this

I am a Bama fan, but I wanted to come on here and at least ask one question to any Georgia fan or coach who is complaining about the shot clock play, because I just don’t understand what Georgia’s beef is- even if the shot had hit the rim, the Georgia player fumbled the ball out of bounds. So, if the refs correctly do NOT blow their whistle, the ball still belongs to Alabama. But they did blow the whistle, so they had no choice but to go to alternate possession, which Bama had. I can’t think of ANY circumstance in which Georgia should have wound up with the ball? Can someone, anyone, explain what Felton’s beef is on this call? I am not arguing the travel on Steele- he probably did, but I would be willing to bet that traveling would not have been called against a home team in that situation most of the time- right or wrong that is just the way it is. In other words, if the game had been in Athens and it was Gaines who made the Steele play, I highly doubt it would have been called.

As for Felton sending a DVD with TWENTY-THREE missed calls, none of which were close, well, I would like to see that DVD. You can take any college basketball game and go back and find bad calls against your team- Gottfried could do the same (one that stands out was the charge on Steele- they incorrectly took away the basket and Ga came down and hit a 3- a 5 point swing. Finally, about the foul disparity, Alabama commits the fewest number of fouls of any team in the nation- this happens in almost every game we play. Many feel this is the reason for Bama’s shaky defensive play- lack of aggressiveness….. For the most part, I like Felton and he is doing a great job- Georgia is a very good team, but IMO, he is going overboard on this………. Thanks…..

By MadMerf

January 23, 2007 01:29 AM | Link to this

I’ve noticed that many bloggers persistently blame the Dawgs for allowing Bama back into the contest after having the game in hand. The reason Bama was able to recover from the huge deficit was clear during the first moments of the 2nd half.

Thats when the refs came out smoking, although it is unclear just what it was they were smoking! UGA was called for 4 fouls in the 1st minute and a half, count ‘em 4 fouls in the opening 90 seconds of the 2nd stanza. At that time the announcers warned, almost prophetically, that it would doom the Dawgs at the end of the game if the trend continued. It did, and 4 minutes later our guys inside had to turn their heads while guarding so they wouldn’t breathe on the Tide’s aggressive players for fear of fouling!

The 2nd half ended the same way it started, with blown calls and no-calls all going against the dawgs. Call me a whiner if you must, but I admire Dennis for standing up to the officials in this travesty. It won’t give us the win we should have, but no coach with any sense of dignity would “just let it go.”

Yes, Georgia lost a big lead in a big game, but it’s players weren’t totally at fault. They had a little help, make that alot of help, from the team wearing stripes. Maybe Dennis should show up Wednesday night with a red flag in his pocket. Of course I’m just kidding: ITS NOT NICE TO FOOL WITH MOTHER NATURE!

I predict the kids bounce back and win both, and I too, hope the Steg is packed in red and black.

GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By steve legg

January 23, 2007 07:30 AM | Link to this

face it dawg fans, you should have never been in that situation with an 11 point lead that late in the game; i was at the game, and there was as many non calls (gaines forearm shivers, for example)as i have ever seen; officiating was terrible, but that’s not what beat you, you got outplayed the second half ROLL TIDE !!!!

By DJ

January 23, 2007 07:39 AM | Link to this

I have to agree with Chip. Not holding a 19 point lead has got to be a concern. But most of the time when you get big leads like that against good teams you can’t sustain them for an entire game. Georgia is a young team and they must learn how to play with a little more composure when leading big. I knew we would have problems when we weren’t missing shots. Gaines hitting 5 three’s, hard to keep that going for 40 minutes. On the other hand Bama was down 19 so what makes you think they can’t outscore us by 22? Basketball is a funny game, you never know what’s going to happen in the end.

Game points I noticed to help us lose were: 1. In the end Newman forced two passes inside for no reason. Both turnovers. 2. Mercer turned over the ball on a drive for a Bama score. 3. Stukes took 3 shots with the shot clock still at 20 something with no rebounders around. 4. The last timeout we used up only was to get the ball inbounds. It also should have been to score. 5. Gaines drive and shot with the clock running down was horrible. He should have passed the ball instead of trying to be the hero. 6. The defensive pressure Billy put on Steele to tie the game was very weak. As was the defensive pressure he put on #1 twice in the crunch. 7. And maybe Felton was outcoached in the end. 17 seconds left and nobody is on Steele and we know he’s a clutch player. He just tied up the game at 76 with a three. Then we get in a zone and let them bring it up and have a chance to take another one. No pressure. When a team blows a fifteen point lead like we did you have to look at the coaching. They say players win games, coaches lose them! Sometimes you have to look from within.

The Dawgs will learn from this game and it will make them stronger, but we have to make better coaching decisions also.

Go Dawgs!

By Dbow

January 23, 2007 08:01 AM | Link to this

Nobody has mentioned the double dribble that went un-called under the Bama goal which led to a basket. Every call that is missed and leads to a basket is potentially at least a four point swing. That makes it easy to close a double figure gap when one team is the sole benefactor of those blown/non-calls. And they didn’t even kiss us!

By SuwaneeDawg

January 23, 2007 08:22 AM | Link to this

I’m hoping this serves as a “coming together” point for the team because this was the kind of game that could ruin an entire season.

Absolutely, it should not have come down to the last shot, I’m the first to admit that but, on the other hand, it wasn’t simply those 2 blown calls that made the difference. Felton has said he is sending a tape with 23 examples to the league. I was only able to see the 2nd half and, in all honesty, I think he could have sent a lot more. Look at the free throw discrepancy from the 1st to the 2nd half.

I heard an analyst say after the game, “How many times do you see a game end on a traveling call? Not many.” Well, my response to that - Is it a violation? Then call it! I don’t think these guys are on the take or anything like that but I think the incompentence of SEC football officials isn’t exclusive to those guys. When you come from the school of John Claugherty (since moved to the ACC, thank God), Ted Valentine, Bruce Benedict and Gerald Boudreaux (supervisor of officials?!?! Staggering!) this is what you get. Officiating is a thankless job but, damn folks, get it right at least some of the time.

Once again, it should have NEVER come to the last play but Felton was right, there is no recourse and, at least it seems, no avenue to voice your criticism.

By SuwaneeDawg

January 23, 2007 08:24 AM | Link to this

Also, just to show I’m not simply being a whining homer - our defense on the last play was atrocious. I’m prety sure my 8 month old could have scored on that play.

By TnDawg

January 23, 2007 08:35 AM | Link to this

Finally, some banter about basketball. As a basketball coach myself, I feel what Felton is doing is sticking up for his players. That will go much further with them than just rolling over and taking it. Felton is showing his players that he is willing to fight for them - much like he asks them to do every time they play a game. To get young men motivated to play the way Felton wants, they have to know the coach will fight with them. That is what Coach Felton is doing and that is why he will be the SEC Coach of the Year. UGA will be fine this year and I don’t think anyone is wanting to play the dawgs right now.

By Patrick

January 23, 2007 08:38 AM | Link to this

I see Felton is still whining by filing a complaint with the SEC. As far as the shot clock situation, the ball went out of bounds off of a Georgia player. Steele would have never got the shot off if Georgia’s #44 didn’t back off, therefore it was a defensive breakdown on his part. Missed Calls? Ok, I was at the game and Felton should have received at least one technical for charging after the official during a time out and he was out of the coaching box during the entire game. Let’s put it to rest—Officiating was bad the entire game, but it does not make a 19 point difference Felton—Get a Life!

By 34dawg

January 23, 2007 08:49 AM | Link to this

If the whistle blowing triggers the possession arrow, why did the review the play at all. Also, doesn’t the whistle blow before every reviewed call - what else stops the game? Isn’t every whistle before a wrong call “inadvertent?” There may be a good explanation for this but that is my initial thoughts after reading this explanation from the referee.

“I blew the whistle inadvertently because from my angle the ball didn’t hit the rim and it looked like a shot-clock violation,” Lopes said in a statement that was given to a pool reporter after the game. “We went over to the TV monitor to check for a timing error and looked at three angles. With the first two angles, the ball didn’t hit the rim, but the third angle showed the ball nicked the rim. When we noticed that, the ball becomes dead on my whistle. Because no team had possession of the ball at the time of my whistle, you go to the possession arrow.”

By Patrick

January 23, 2007 09:00 AM | Link to this

What goes around comes around. I remember two years ago when Felton brought a hatchet squad to Coleman that committed 34 fouls with six of his players fouling out. He can be “infuriated” all he wants, but he is making himself look like a punk. Either way, it is a long season and he needs to worry about Kentucky. He has enough talent to compete for the SEC East, but we will see how he coaches down the stretch. Or maybe his new best friend Boudreaux pull some strings for him down the road.

By Patrick

January 23, 2007 09:00 AM | Link to this

What goes around comes around. I remember two years ago when Felton brought a hatchet squad to Coleman that committed 34 fouls with six of his players fouling out. He can be “infuriated” all he wants, but he is making himself look like a punk. Either way, it is a long season and he needs to worry about Kentucky. He has enough talent to compete for the SEC East, but we will see how he coaches down the stretch. Or maybe his new best friend Boudreaux pull some strings for him down the road.

By BAMA Basketball Fan

January 23, 2007 09:16 AM | Link to this

I am a BAMA fan but I will agree that Felton needs to turn in the DVD to the league office. It is the right step to take to show his support to his players.

As for the game itself, UGA fans can blame the officials all they want. You guys had a 19 point lead in the and that should never have been let go of. It was not the refs fault that you guys went cold from the field in the 2nd half and were outscored something like 56-35. UGA played a great 1st half but fell apart in the 2nd and didnt have the ability to hang onto a big lead. Good luck to you guys the rest of the way! Roll Tide!

By Gen Neyland

January 23, 2007 09:30 AM | Link to this

Is this Felton’s way of exercising the demons of Bama’s comeback..? Bad calls go both ways. Albeit, if UGA had been up by 23, this issue would be a mute point…Move on…Bad calls that turn a football game, now that’s a different beast…

By gdawginkalamazoo

January 23, 2007 09:38 AM | Link to this

What difference does it make? These officials need to do a better job. You could be next and if you were on the receiving end of this you would/should complain too.

By Gen Neyland

January 23, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

zoo

Paint me as ‘already been there’…LSU in Knoxville 2006, LSU on their final TD scoring drive to win 28-24. Russell fumbles, fighting for yards, UT recovers. Non-call. Like you said, what difference does it make..? Over is over and done…

By AltamahaDawg

January 23, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

Fellow dawg fans, please retract any praise or credit for the UGA team that followed last week’s game at Arkansas. Because to listen to some of the folks in here it was a simple matter of “poor coaching” on behalf of the Ark. team. Right?

Patrick, would that have been Felton’s all freshman mostly walk-on team he had 2 years ago? Imagine an outmaned, outsized, inferior team commiting a bunch of fouls. Who would have thought?

First thing. Motivational move. Felton is doing the right thing as would any coach who beleived his kids got ripped, and they did. I’m sure it goes both ways over the cource of time, but you show support for your kids at the time.

Second thing. The fact that his boys had an opportunity to win and did not take advantage is an internal issue, that he will address at practice. This is an entirely different issue having to do with insisting on quality officiating at a (televised, no less) SEC basketball game. The entire conference should have been offended and don’t tell me the Alabama coach wouldn’t do the same thing, and I imagine privately is glad Felton is addressing it, as its just as easily him next time.

By jt

January 23, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

tough loss. i was at rupp on saturday for the vandy game, and the fans up there did not take it well. they are not happy with the job that tubby is doing, and it is looking like there is going to be hell to pay this week. the dawgs are going to have to have their “A” game for wednesday night. kentucky lost to a vandy team that shot over 50% from the 3-point line, while they shot under 30%. this is a scary uk team, if they shoot the ball well early, then look out, the rest of the game will feed off of that. the dawgs are going to need to come out swinging. my wife is a uk grad, while i graduated from uga. we will both be there wednesday night pulling for our alma maters, here’s to hoping the dawgs make my life more pleasurable for the next couple of weeks!!

GO DAWGS!!!

By CincyDawg

January 23, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

The second half began with what seemed like 8 consecutive calls against the Dogs (somebody check that #). Most seemed iffy and a few were outright wrong. I couldn’t bear to watch the rest of the game because I could tell where things were headed. The officials were helping Bama get back into the game for the CBS audience.

By DJ

January 23, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

The Dawgs will play hard with a venegence against Kentucky. If they shoot well and don’t turn over the ball they will win. Kentucky will only respond well if Randolph plays like a beast. I really think our bigs will tag team him to a pulp. Brown, Singleton (sometimes), Jackson, Bliss (all of the time), Newman. Oh I think thats about 18-20 hard fouls. Randolph won’t like that to much. Humphrey and Woodbury must play more inspired defense. The token hand in the air let them shoot crap will kill us like it did last game.

By gdawginkalamazoo

January 23, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

AltaDawg, I agree with both the first and second things in your post above. Good points.

By Patrick

January 23, 2007 11:04 AM | Link to this

CincyDawg,

Check the tape. Georgia had 5 team fouls in the first two minutes of the second half. Their sixth team foul came was called two minutes later. Alabama reached the bonus at the 10:30 mark of the second half when Georgia was called for their 7th team foul. Alabama was called for two team fouls at that point. If you had followed Alabama’s season you would know this is consistent with their game plan. They got in the bonus early in the second half against Oklahoma and NC State for example. Give credit to Gottfried for changing the game plan at half. I give Georgia credit for shooting lights out from behind the arc in the first half. However, Georgia was only 1 of 7 on 3-point shots in the second half and they still out rebounded Alabama by a significant margin. Alabama stole one because of effort and Georgia’s failure close defensively. National Television did not determine the outcome of that game!

By Ben

January 23, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

Patrick, Im sure Bama’s gameplan is a 2-1 disparity in fouls called for the home team. Some of those calls were ridiculous, phantom like. To say Bama got anything but pushed by refs back into the game is insane. Hard to hold a lead with the clock stopped and bama at the line every time down the court. Riddle me this bammer fan, how does a team make more field goals, one more 3 pointer and out rebound you, have the same number of to’s but lose?

By Big John

January 23, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

Let’s put this to rest. The game is in the past and it is a win by Bama. Officiating across the SEC is below average in my opinion. Are we going to go back and blame the losses to WKU and Wisconsin on officials? We need to focus on the Kentucky game because the season is too long to dwell on one game. Alabama and Georgia are fine teams—Would like to see a rematch in the SEC tournament.

By BALLEN

January 23, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

Can anybody tell me why we have to keep jacking up three pointers 10 seconds into the shot clock with an 8 point lead, and under 5 minutes to go. Someone please explain to me how this happens. Even the casual fan knows you give the ball to Mercer and let him drive or you force feed Brown down in the post for a good shot. Watching Stukes take those shots was as infuriating as the horrendous, one sided officiating.

By Patrick

January 23, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this

Ben, Here is your riddle:

Riddle me this, riddle me that. Felton’s a cry baby, that’s a fact. Don’t get mad, don’t get whiny Just because Steele put a dagger on your hiny

By crs

January 23, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

As a UGA fan, I am disappointed that the best Felton can do is complain about officiating, it seems to me regardless of officiating, the team blew a huge lead late in the game. On atleast two occasions late in the game, the dogs shot way too quick and with poor shots. Thats a game where you do the old UNC four corners and burn the clock and get out with the win. So instead of sitting with 12 wins and 4-1 in the SEC, we are stuck at 11 and 3-2 in the conference with kentucky up next. I tend to think based on the coach having no composure the team will not have any either and fall apart from here. There are not many if any easy wins in the SEC this year and you combine that with an average team and i suspect this team will not close out well.

By Foster Keats

January 23, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

To Chip, Felton, & all you Jaw-Juh Whiners:

Alabama won, you lost, get over it…

It’s becoming very evident that all you UGA hacks do nothing but whine when you lose, showing your low rent attitude and your sore-losing mindset…

There were AS MANY bad calls against Alabama as against your precious Dawgs, ref Gerald has become known for his “attention w*******” officiating for years now, he wants to be in the spotlife to overcompensate for his pathetic life…

You all are now on his level…

selah, idiots!!!

Foster Keats, Esq.

By Gen Neyland

January 23, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

For fun last Sunday, I spot checked box scores from the SEC BBall games played Saturday. The HOME team went to the free throw line overwhelminly vs visitors. This probably occurs the majority of the time. Why..?

By Al Davis

January 23, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

LOL, what is UGA crying about this for. They blew it. Dont blame the refs. The SEC refs make calls like that every game for home teams. Dont act like its something unusual. What a bunch of choking babies. GEEZ.

By gdawginkalamazoo

January 23, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Patrick, Steele will do the same to Emmit Smith on the next Dancing with the Stars the way he was moving his feet on that last shot. Sure the Dawgs gave up a 19 point lead (not the first and not the last team to do it) but they played hard enough to at least deserve the overtime.

BTW, Felton’s doing everybody a favor including Bama.

By AltamahaDawg

January 23, 2007 01:06 PM | Link to this

crs, what do you mean “the best felton can do is complain”………I dont get it? He is complaining about poor officiating, which is a totally different issue than poor play. They have certianly played poorly at times in the past as well, and I assume his intent is to improve in that category, as they have been for several years now, but that has nothing to do with complaining about the officiating. What would you think is the best Felton could do? I havent heard any person associated with UGA including Felton say anything but that they should have played better to win. Would folks have been so critical of feltons coaching ability IF a couple of calls hadn’t gone against him and he had won? Or would everyone bemoan that they gave up a bigger lead and only won by 2? I doubt it. Funny how its either a great job holding off the charging #10 team in the country, or a terrible job Blowing a huge lead. Is everyone definition of poor coaching really that precise? A little perspective here folks. Half of you are comparing apples to oranges.

Felton has no composure and your prediction is that the team will surely fall apart from here on out, that is your prediction? OK , we will see I guess. Maybe, but I just dont think that I personally would feel any better about it by going on record as predicting that midway through.

By AltamahaDawg

January 23, 2007 01:13 PM | Link to this

I doubt if I were an Alabama player I would really appreciate the idea of all of my fans claiming that the only way I won was the other team “blowing” it. Havent heard a single Alabama fanm say one good thing about the play of thier team to oversome a 19 point deficit. You would almost think that the Alabama fans were only in here (the UGA blog) to hurl slams at UGA and Dawg fan. Imagine that!

By AltamahaDawg

January 23, 2007 01:24 PM | Link to this

Chip, why would you let the AJC slant the headline so bad as “Let it go coach”. Gee, no opinion infered there.

By dave

January 23, 2007 01:29 PM | Link to this

Sure we had a few bad calls but anyone watching the last five minutes would tell you we just couldn’t execute with the game on the line. We had no offense other than shooting 3’s. We couldn’t take care of the ball.

By Concerned Citizen

January 23, 2007 01:37 PM | Link to this

AltamahaDawg,

I follow Bama and I am concerned about the inconsistent play of team this year. Patrick made some good points concerning this game. With that being said, Steele is playing at half strength and will the remainder of the season. J. Davidson has had a terrible past few months personally and has lost about 20 pounds since the start of the season. We are very average at this point due to those reasons. We will see how the team responds at Auburn tonight. In the Georgia game, Alabama could have quit easily being down 50-35 at halftime. Our kids battled on both ends in order to get back in the game. In 2004, we came from 22 down in the second half at Arkansas to win in overtime. I don’t believe UGA blew this game. I think I watched 2 NCAA tournament teams battle to the end last Saturday. Trust me, I was worried after Georgia beat Arkansas on the road and it looked grim for Bama down 20-2 within the first 4 minutes of the game. If anything was a factor, it was Alabama’s experience (aka Ronald Steele). That 3 pointer he hit to tie it was clutch and had nothing to do with an officials call. In the last possession, Felton should have known who was going to take the last shot. I am not sure why the Georgia defender backed off, but he did and Steele did what he had to do. Good Luck to Georgia—Hopefully there will be less controversy when UGA plays Alabama in football next year in Tuscaloosa.

By Big Bagy

January 23, 2007 02:07 PM | Link to this

Cry me a river. Even if the ball hit the rim the player that fielded it lost it out of bounds. Ok, the ref blew a whistle, he did because in his judgment the ball missed the rim. You can’t have only the part of the mistake that suites your case. Dogs need to grow up. Every time you lose you complain about the ref’s. Every time you lose you never give the other team any credit for being a better team. Florida will kick your whining butts in all sports for at least the next two years. What a bunch of complain artist.

By ConyersDawg

January 23, 2007 02:10 PM | Link to this

Alabama is supposed to be able to come back from 19 down, that’s why they haven’t lost at home since last year! the dawgs played tough and battled and got robbed. If we lose in OT then fine but don’t just make bad calls and rob a team by saying the game shouldn’t have been close.

again, bama has not lost at home since last year, they were supposed to make a run like they did!

By AltamahaDawg

January 23, 2007 02:17 PM | Link to this

Big bagy, everytime this and evertime that? When? I would guess your knowledge of UGa Bball and the outcome of our games and subsequent discusions of the reasons is very limited. Not surprised to see a gator fan piping in on a topic that doesnt even concern him. The ball hit the rim so the gator will beat us????? clever.

By dion

January 23, 2007 02:48 PM | Link to this

Tubby, Jim and Ron

Has anybody here seen my old friend Tubby, Can you tell me where he has gone? He won a lot of games and it seems the good they move on.

Has anybody here seen my old friend Jim Harrick, Can you tell me where he has gone? His son gave a lot of free grades and helped Georgia look dumb, what a bum!

Has anybody here seen my old friend Ron Jirsa, Can you tell me where he has gone? He was a terrible fit like old Ray Goff, It seems we get a lot of whiners like old D. Felton, but lets move on!

By INcredibility

January 23, 2007 02:49 PM | Link to this

Honestly, Felton is making a total jackass of himself by making such a big deal out of this. Just as Urban Meyer whined and moaned about the BCS before his team made it … “so goes life in the SEC.” Sorry about the loss, Dogs. Don’t be sore losers.

By David

January 23, 2007 03:00 PM | Link to this

Get over the whining! UGA came out with an aggressive defense and deliberate offense in the second half against Bama. Felton believed that a tough defense would slow down Bama enough to leave town with a win. It didn’t work. By officially complaining, Felton embarrases UGA. Felton’s coaching lost the Bama game, not officiating.

By Jim

January 23, 2007 03:07 PM | Link to this

Let it go, Felton. That game was over at halftime and your team never should have let Bama come back. Give me a break. Let it go.

By honest_abe

January 23, 2007 03:45 PM | Link to this

good points alt.. couldn’t agree with you more.

By ConyersDawg

January 23, 2007 03:57 PM | Link to this

i’m with you alt.

By Chief

January 23, 2007 04:40 PM | Link to this

The SEC has some of the worst basketball officials in the nation, hands down. The group that officiated this game was no different. You knew what you were getting when, after a Georgia player clearly traveled in the second half, no call was made until the fans in the stands started yelling “WALK!” and suddenly there was a whistle - several seconds after the walk itself. Any official will tell you that, if you’re letting the fans influence your calls either way, you’re failing.

Felton is doing exactly what he should do — follow through in a failed system, when the people involved in the system admitted failure, to demonstrate how absurdly bad the system is. Unless people in positions of authority do that, there will be no momentum to change. Giving up on his complaint, in the interest of “moving on,” when nothing has changed, would let down his players and UGA fans (and, frankly, all SEC players and fans). We all deserve better.

By sgm

January 23, 2007 05:40 PM | Link to this

Let it go Felton. The problem wasn’t that there was a bad call in the end but your players let go of a 19 pt lead. He really looks silly doing this. 23 calls cost his team a win? We are over here laughing at this. Don’t blame yourself nor your players, blame the officials.

By james

January 23, 2007 07:06 PM | Link to this

I watch the game Saturday and it’s a shame that the Ref’s can’t get there act together and not call the game right. I don’t blame Coach Felton to put the complaint in and also be irate with the Ref’s. You know when 2 players from ALABAMA don’t have 0 fouls by the end of the game something is up.

By AltamahaDawg

January 23, 2007 08:05 PM | Link to this

Just like Meyer did till it paid off huh? Missing the point there.

By Hunk Erdown

January 23, 2007 08:13 PM | Link to this

This is similar to a baseball game. The game won’t change because of it but sometimes the manager needs to get tossed out just to show his team he’s behind them. Felton won’t get anything changed with what he is doing, but his players will love him more for it and it could help the team be more of a “team”. Sometimes on a team its “us against the world”. With where this team is right now, this could be the glue that holds these guys together for a long time. Knock Urban Meyer all you like for the whining he did last year, but it worked. His team played OSU like they had a major chip on their shoulder, and got a National Championship for it.

By AltamahaDawg

January 23, 2007 08:16 PM | Link to this

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that that we, UGA, fans, and program, do not give a rats hairy behind what you fans of rival schools think of the situation. PLus its really not shocking to hear your “wisdom” on the situation. Jab at UGA and the coach and totally neglect to even acknowledge the reality, wow! I have not heard one single UGA fan in here take a shot at Alabama, its coach, its players, or take anything away from thier effort. The topic is should a coach bring attention to an obvious and well documented and (agreed with by the head of officiating) breakdown in officiating during a important regular season SEC game? If all you have are these 2nd grade insults, please move on.

By AltamahaDawg

January 23, 2007 08:24 PM | Link to this

Damn that tough defence, and that deliberate offence, what the heck was the man thinking? I say next time more slight defence and let the offence just kind of “freelance it”. Come on coach, there are Alabama fans that want you to drop it, oh and a couple of gator fans too.

By Hunk Erdown

January 23, 2007 08:30 PM | Link to this

A UGA Basketball blog pushing 100 posts?!? Wow, never thought I’d see the day.

By 77DAWG

January 23, 2007 08:51 PM | Link to this

Coach Felton, I am not a basketball fan before but I am now. You are doing a wonderful job at UGA. I watched the Bama game, and I think we can easily won the game. Because of my little knowledge of the game, enable me to see the game from the distance. In my opinion, we lost the game because we CHANGED THE PACE of playing and not a lacking of play makers. It hurted the flow of the game and the FUN THE PLAYERS HAD when they played LOOSE and fast. forgive me for my ignorance, please keep reviewing the films though.

By 77DAWG

January 23, 2007 09:30 PM | Link to this

DO NOT CHANGE WHAT IT WORKED!!/Me Ignorance UGA BB fan.

By john b

January 23, 2007 09:34 PM | Link to this

the alabama sham is exactly why basketball sucks. when the home team wins 85% of games between relatively equal teams, you know it's the referees and not the players in the game that are in essence what we are really watching. 
if that happened in football each week like it does to ALL basketball teams they would have to put a moat around the field at sanford stadium to control things.

By youdumbbutts

January 23, 2007 09:58 PM | Link to this

Well, well, well. Whining again. Shall I get out my violin. 19 point lead and still lose, but let’s blame the referees. Like you UGAys always say…A “W” is a “W” and a “L” is an “L” (Loser).

Bottom line for you losers … UGAy Sux and always will !!!

By 77DAWG

January 23, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

Watch the game films coach

By youdumbbutts

January 23, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Hey 77Dawg, Caleb King could sure use your tutoring. But if not, I’m sure UGAy will find a way to get him enrolled. GEORGIA BULLDOGS SUCK !!!

By RAD

January 24, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

I GUESS NOW WE KNOW HOW THEY RESPONDED!!! 4-2 IN THE SEC (SHOULD BE 5-1) FELTON FELTON FELTON…… SEE YOU AT THE DANCE THIS YEAR!

By DANA

January 24, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

GA TECCCH - LOVED THAT NC GAME. WAY TO SHOW UP. THATS THE WAY TO PLAY BALL…