UGA

By UGA Mumm-Ra

March 6, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

Two years ago, when Georgia was in the cellar of SEC basketball, a .500 record in the conference was a pipe dream. I think coach Felton has done a very good job, and I am also excited to see what the future holds!

By Chip Towers

March 6, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this

I’m sure you’re read Carter’s story on Seth Watts quitting the team by now. Following is the news release issued by UGA:

For Immediate Release March 6, 2007

Athens — University of Georgia junior offensive lineman Set Watts has decided to forego his remaining two years of football eligibility, according to an announcement Tuesday by Bulldog coach Mark Richt. Richt said Watts, who served as a backup offensive guard during the 2006 season, plans to remain in school and concentrate on his academic work. “We appreciate the contributions that Seth has made to our football team,” said Richt. “and at the same time we are certainly supportive of what he feels is in his best interest.”

By baloney

March 6, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

WOnder what happened?

By Stuck at work

March 6, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

When the whole Harrick situation went down and the dust finally settled and then Felton was hired, I had my reservations. I hadn’t heard much about the guy and couldn’t help but think he was just going to be here long enough for this to blow over and then the real head coach would be hired. Over the last couple years we’ve seen him clean up the program a great deal, make sure everyone knows who’s in charge, act like he belongs here and get his players to think the same way, he’s kept his teams in games they had no business being in and even winning some of them, and now it looks like he’s recruiting well things are on the way up. Coach Felton has made a believer out of me and I now believe he’s the right man for the job. The next step is to get some more depth so we can maintain the defensive intensity all 40 minutes and go without getting caught in the trap of launching 3’s for 5 minutes that end up killing runs and costing games. But, looking back at a few years ago, it seemed like we’d be waiting around forever for even a shot at the NCAA tournament and we had it this year. Good job coach, keep up the good work.

By Matt

March 6, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

You UGA hoops fans remind me of Vandy football fans - .500 is a success and you’re talking about next year before this year is finished.

By stuck is right

March 6, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

yep. i agree with Stuck. I want to see a little more offensive game plan than the pass, pass, shoot a 3 we fall into way too often. But we have definitely won a handful of games we shouldn’t have and we definitely are moving in the right direction. He effectively started from scratch. After his first year when all Harrick’s graduated, he had nothing, I mean absolutely nothing. He could have done just as well by pulling together a bunch of walk ons. That’s about what he had to work with. To be where we are now a few years later, pretty impressive. Give him an other 4 years and he will have proven himself as one of better coaches in the SEC, i think.

By BUSHWACKER

March 6, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

CHIP why are throwing this crap in the middle of a story about the basketball coach with your name BOLDED..trying to make a name for yourself..who the heck is Chip towers anyway ???

By GREG

March 6, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

DO WE PLAY PENN STATE AT THERE HOUSE?I CANT FIND NOTHING OUT ON THIS!

By Luke

March 6, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this

I’m happy with the job that Felton has done. Now if he would teach the players discipline with the basketball we would win a few more games. John Wooden would disapprove of the constant three point shooting and the lack of following a shot for a rebound. Gaines is the only guard that crashes the boards. Fundamentals people, fundamentals.

By Pittbull

March 6, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this

Coach Felton has brought the UGA basketball program light years in his short time here. It was such a disaster when he arrived, and he is building it the right way with good young men who are also good young players. He will hopefully grow to be an institution at UGA and I hope we do not lose him to another program like we lost Tubby. The thing about Tubby was he was like Bill Curry at Tech. Curry could have won 7 games a year at Tech and stayed there until he was 90. Then he got stupid and went to Alabama where he bombed out and then to Kentucky where he bombed out. The SEC is different than an ACC doormat like Georgia Tech which shows up every 8 or so years when everyone else is down, and still manages to lose the ACCCG to Weak Forest. Anyway, Coach Felton has the high school material in Georgia, great facilities, but not excellent facilities like UK or Duke, and the full support of the alumni, fans, and students. He will deliver champions with time, and I just hope he stays at a school that values him for more than his number of wins, because that is what he has at UGA.

By bigdawg

March 6, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

So a c** player gets arrested not once but twice! and nothing happens the first time, then the 2nd time he only gets suspended for the spring. I’m glad we have a coach in Richt who doesn’t put up with that kind of stuff. Guess those chickens are the new thugs of the SEC!

By Pittbull

March 6, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

I fail to understand why any young man would want to play his college football in from of 80,000+ home fans yelling “Go Cocks” at him. My fear would be that we would somehow get scheduled to play Oregon State in a bowl game. Can you imagine the play by play on that game? How could the announcers keep from cracking up (no pun intended).

By Barry M. Wolfe

March 6, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

Coach Felton has done a fantastic job. He inheritted a program that was in deplorable shape thanks to the Herrick regime.

By JayD

March 6, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

Chip - What do we have coming next year as far as recruits are concerned - Any big guys? 6’8” or better

By Doug

March 6, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this

Felton has done a good job and is a good role model. He needs to do a better job of outrecuiting Ga. players from Ga. Tech.

By Alan

March 6, 2007 6:20 PM | Link to this

Next year’s recruiting class is pretty good with 2 3 star guys and 2 4 star guys. There is a PG from Dunwoody named Zac Swansey coming in and a PF from Riverdale named Chris Barnes 6’8” 220 who had offers from Oklahoma and Kentucky to name a few. We also have a SF from Baton Rouge who is currently at Hargrave named Jeremy Jacob who is in the 6’7” range and finally a big banger from Columbia High in Jeremy Price who is in the 6’9” 260 range. Looking good for the future.

By Chip Towers

March 6, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this

JayD, Alan was kind enough to answer your question regarding recruits. From what I understand, it’s being rated as a Top 20 class. And Felton says he’d like to sign one more player this spring, likely a guard. Meanwhile, Georgia returns: Guards — Sundiata Gaines, Mike Mercer, Billy Humphrey, Terrance Woodbury and Corey Butler Forwards — Takais Brown and Albert Jackson Centers — Dave Bliss and Rashaad Singleton

By K-n9ne

March 6, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this

I love the job that Dennis Felton has done in his short time here. He’s building a solid program and he’s doing it the right way. In a few years, he’ll have us in the NCAA and competing for SEC titles every year. My biggest fear is that Kentucky gets rid of Tubby and decides to come down and grab another UGA coach with bluegrass ties. As a Dawg fan, it’s up to us to make sure that doesn’t happen. I was at the Miss St. and Auburn games and the attendance was pathetics!!! So we weren’t playing Florida or Kentucky. We were in the hunt for an NCAA berth in must win games and we can’t fill the Steg?!?! Fan support like that is not gonna keep Felton here! And we NEED to keep Felton here!

By Matthew at the SLC

March 6, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this

Alan, sounds like a recruiting class Billy Knight would love. And that worries me. What we need are guys who can really bang on the inside to help Brown out. Oh, and I hope Swansey is ready to play right away. Chip, you let Felton know that we’re glad he’s showing tough love with these guys. And they act like Stukes did, maybe they don’t deserve to play anyway. You let him know we’re behind him, and we’re glad he’s here, and we WANT him to stay here and continue to build a program we can all be proud of. The filth of Jim Harrick is finally washing away, and it’s all due to Felton. For that, the fans of UGA Sports are glad.

By Chip Towers

March 6, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this

HEY BUCK — Don’t know if you saw but the SEC just signed an agreement with XM satellite radio to be the official carrier of SEC games. They’re starting with the SEC basketball tourney, so if you’ve got XM radio you can hear all the games.

By Brian Jones TECH FAN

March 6, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

TECH returns everyone but mario so doesnt look good for uga agianst its rival guess yall have football we have basketball but i will say thank god reggie is gone

By Dave

March 6, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

Coach Felton has been a success previously and he is building a successful program now. It takes time to build a program back after sanctions and loss of scholarships. It seems that a lot of teams are enamored with the trey. Coach knows what he’s doing and his teams have improved each year since he’s been with us. He’s recruiting well and puts demands on his players to be responsible students; he stresses academics and discipline. The program is in very good hands. If you never heard of coach Felton before he came to UGA, you don’t follow college b.ball and probably should not comment about how he coaches.

By Matthew at the SLC

March 6, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this

Brian, I’m sorry, I must have misunderstood you. I thought you were speaking from 2006, cause we heard the EXACT SAME CRAP coming from you dumba— bugs last year. And what happened? Go back to stroking your slide rule while watching anime.

By Senior Dawg

March 6, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this

Coach Felton is a man of principles. He makes his players go to class or suspends them. If they do not behave, he suspends them. He loves the players like they were his own children but he shows tough love instead of codling his players. He was the first man onto the court when Mercer lay in pain, holding him in his arms. With his ability as a coach, the future for him and us at UGA is bright. I also wish more fans would show up to suport his and his players efforts. They surely deserve it.

By Chip Towers

March 6, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this

Brian Jones, Just FYI, but Georgia Tech has to come to Athens next year and the Yellow Jackets have lost six in a row there, including the year they went to the Final Four.

By Matthew at the SLC

March 6, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this

Oh crap, okay, we did lose last year. But we did beat y’all the year before, in a year where we did not win all that many games and y’all were coming off a “Nat’l Championship… appearance.” So, I don’t know what’s worse. Bri, keep on stroking, and I can’t wait until y’all come to visit. Is it December this year?

By ugakelsy9

March 6, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this

hey tech fan…you better not count your chickens before they hatch..you guys might lose thaddeus or critt…young is still predicted as a lottery pick if he leaves…and let me remind you that the game is in athens next year..we were missing our PG and not to mention that was a hugely one-sided called game

By Matt

March 6, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

Who cares what Brian thinks? Everyone (Tech fans included) knows that the UGA-Tech rivalry (bragging rights especially) is really won on the football field. The Jackets would trade 4 straight basketball wins for just one football win…too bad that will never happen as long as MR is running the show.

By SamoanDawg

March 6, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

Felton needs another big man down low. It seems like when Takais Brown goes to the bench, everybody starts to bounce the ball off the rim. But the future does look good though. Now lets go beat AU first and everybody else in the tournament.

By Matthew at the SLC

March 6, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this

I am very excited about next season. What is more exciting man men’s basketball is Women’s Basketball.

Here at UGA nothing is better than watching those girls light it up. You can count on me to be there cheering them to victory. I wish you people would get onthe band wagon and support the team.

If you are true bulldog fans you will sell out the Steg ever year for the girls.

Dude, I have to give a shout out to the Softball team also. They are really kicking @$$ against some fairly tough competition.

Chip: Thank you for your insight into Georgia Athletics. You are a man among boys. Could you please open some blogs with the REAL basketball team 1st?

Go Lady Dawgs!

By pj

March 7, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this

back to the original post by chip…

I loved Hugh Durham even though - and lets be honest - he was VERY mediocre.

I loved Tubby - he ran around the court, high fiving students after big wins, and brought that great recruiting class from Hugh to the sweet sixteen. I played with Carlos Strong and Terrell Bell in high school (anyone remember them?)

I loved Harrick - he IS a technical, Woodenesque basketball genius that has won everywhere he’s been (Rhode Island for christ’s sake?)and he got us all jacked about the program, despite him ending up being nothing more than a crook…

I didn’t love Felton… not at first… but the difference between him and the others is this…

Durham, Tubby and Harrick are like the hot girl that’s good in bed and you love showing off to your friends. You love it for awhile, but get tired of their crap eventually.

Felton is like that girl who is truly good hearted and treats you with respect, but respects herself. You may not lust for her in the beginning, but learn to respect and love her after you realize she is a truly great influence in your life.

While I highly recommend NOT sleeping with any of these coaches, the analogy stands. Felton is the “right woman” for this program, and I hope the ‘get it done right this very second’ people realize what they have… before they try to run off the good one for the next “bimbo”.

By Rabid Dawg

March 7, 2007 6:59 AM | Link to this

If we don’t win 3 in the SECT, I hope we at least get a home game in the NIT so I can show up and yell for the Dawgs! Felton and Richt are class guys for our future. Go Dawgs!

By Uga blows

March 7, 2007 7:51 AM | Link to this

LOL that GT- Ugag game was a second half BLOWOUT that looked closer on the scoreboard than it really was. Tech had it’s way inside with Ugag’s weak inside game. Chip, don’t forget that the BEST player in Ga, Gani Lawal is going to be in Tech’s lineup next year. Yeah, it’s pretty hard to outrecruit GT for the best instate players when they draw pictures of themselves at 8 years old wearing a GT uniform like Critt did. He didn’t even visit another school. Yeah, Ugag won in Athens in ‘03. That was the infamous Ted Valentine sham job.

By doubledog

March 7, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this

Coach Felton and his staff are doing a great job and I believe he wants to be here for a long while and I certainly hope he will. The talent level goes up each year with his recruits and the returning players are improved over the past year. This has been a sucessful season and no need for excuses, but next year should be a big jump. We are fortunate at UGA with quality and stability in our coaching ranks. While I appreciate all Coach Dooley has done for us, I wish he’d show some dignity and stop shilling for any and everybody. Aluminum siding?

By champ

March 7, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

Hey Chip, I read the article you did with Coach Felton, good job. Should have asked him tougher questions, however “the proof is in the pudding”. Having said that I would not be supprised if the NCAA came down again against Ga men’s basketball because of the graduation rate. Yes I said it…another reason why he should go. You guys brag about the discipline he has over his players(more like boot-camp)but lets look at the number of scholarship players that has left his program before graduation. Can you count them? (answer thursday along with the names..i wont cheat you) We need someone like Greg Marshall! The guy who beat Ga 2yrs ago in Athens.

By Derrick Mahone

March 7, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Tonight was supposed to be a matchup between Georgia signees Jeremy Price of Columbia and Chris Barnes of Riverdale at the Gwinnett Arena in the state playoffs. Unfortunately Barnes is hurt and will not play. Price has great upside potential with a big body. He has improved each of the four seasons he has been at Columbia. He runs the floor well. Will probably need to get a little stronger in the upperbody. I can see him coming in and getting some minutes as a freshman. Because of the guard situation, Swansey might not contribute as much. Depending on how fast Barnes heals and the work he does this summer, he might take a redshirt season. It seems that Coach Felton and the staff has gotten the program headed in the right directions and that will be good for recruiting in the state. The (high school) junior class is pretty good, but the sophomore class might be the best in the country with two guys already rated in the top 10. Sorry for the interruption, but just my thoughts.

By Pittbull

March 7, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Hey Champ, or should I say Chump? The basketball academic problems were there long before Coach Felton, and they will take a while to correct. Lets never forget 2 things: 1. The basket ball academics nosedived under Jim Harrick who was hired at the direction of Dr. Michael Adams (Harrick’s old Pepperdine buddy and regular Saturday night dinner party friend) over the objection of former AD Vince Dooley who questioned his character from the start due to incidents at his two previous coaching stops. If it had not been for Adams sticking his nose where it did not belong, we would have never had Harrick and the problems that arose from both him and his idiot (how many points is a 3 point shot worth?) son. 2. Georgia Tech’s academic eligibility and graduation rates for both football and basketball are nothing to crow about, especially with Tech’s administration adding easy majors daily just for the athletes. All you do is take a university major like “sociology” and add “engineering” to the end of it and you have “Sociology Engineering” as a new offering for your athletes that are shall we say slow. Everyone is doing it so I do not blame Tech for doing it too in order to remain competitive. The only thing that makes me lose what little respect that I ever had for Tech is that they are not honest enough or man enough to step up to the fact that that they do it, and they are indeed not the academic institution that they once were, except for all of the foreign students from the Far East who will get the real high tech jobs upon graduation, except for the students whose parents know someone who owes them a favor.

By gator the dog catcher

March 7, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

Chip, didn’t we see this same exact blog title this time last year????????

When your team sucks, you always talk about the future!

By ConyersDawg

March 7, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this

Those that don’t support Felton and the progress made by the coaching staff don’t keep up with Dawg BB.

There are few programs that can go through what we did and be able to compete in the hardest conference in the country as quick as we have.

As mentioned above we have a great recruiting class coming in. Felton is now able to tap in and keep the incredible talent here in Ga. Both Price and Barnes are considered 2 of the top big men in Ga. and were supposed to be the game to watch between when their teams play in the playoffs. Barnes hurt a knee and can’t play though. Swansey is a Yata type guard and will put up points when needed or just get guys the ball when needed. Price is a finisher. We are talking hard dunks on people folks. Also, Jacobs was the 5A player of the year in Lous. last year. He is a Tasm. Mitchel from lsu type of player.

The future is bright. I expected us to win 8 to 10 sec games but didn’t think we would lose to W. kent. The ala. game killed us.

If our guys play solid D and make their shots we can go deep in the sec tourney!

Chip, great interview with Felton. We really got a piece of his heart and vision at Ga.

By gdawginkalamazoo

March 7, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

Chip, good article re Coach Felton. I am glad he is happy at UGA because it will be nice to see how far he can take this program before Kentucky steals him away.

gtdc, Keep talkin’ that smack. I just can’t wait for you guys to repeat.

By Pitbull

March 7, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

Do not be too critical of “gator the dog catcher.” He suffers from e-reptile dysfunction.

By scdawg

March 9, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this

Dawgs beat Auburn; UT tumbles to LSU. The future is now and orange is an endangered color. Woof! Woof! Woof!

By kathy from louisville, kentucky

March 9, 2007 3:11 AM | Link to this

I think Dennis Felton has done a tremendous job at Georgia. I would like to see Felton coach at the University of Louisville, but he’s doing GREAT AT gEORGIA. I MISS HIM SO MUCH AT WESTERN KENTUCKY! GOOD LUCK IN THE SEC TOURNAMENT, COACH FELTON, AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!