UGA blog finds new home
Morning all. As I’ve said a couple of times this week, we’re converting this blog over to a WordPress platform and it will be a permanent move the first of next week.
Those of you who are regulars probably know that I’m not what you’d call techno-wizard when it comes to these things. But from what I understand the technology offered in this new format should make the blogging and commenting experience better for all. Of course, I’ll be learning as we go along, too. But I’m hoping to provide more pictures and video and things like that which should bring the blog more to life.
Of course, this blog is nothing without all you guys so I want to heartily invite (read: beg) you to come over to the new site by CLICKING HERE ON THE NEW ADDRESS and save it in your browsers. As of Monday, Feb. 23rd, this will be the permanent home of the UGA blog you so love or, in the case of some of you, love to loathe. If you’d prefer to copy and paste or just memorize, the new address is: http://blogs.ajc.com/uga-sports-blog/.
See at the new place!
AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSEC tourney a great event
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m sitting over here at the media workroom in the Georgia Dome. The 2-4 p.m. window is designated as “writing time.” But as you may have noticed, I haven’t stopped writing since I got here.
The early afternoon was practice and interview time for Arkansas, Alabama, Kentucky and South Carolina. Georgia, Auburn, LSU and Tennessee are up later. The Dogs practice from 3-4 p.m., then will come to the podium and answer a bunch of questions from a bunch of writers and media types from 4-4:30 p.m.
Forgetting all that, I love the SEC tournament. I don’t know how many of these I’ve covered but my first one was in 1989 in Knoxville (Bama beats Florida in final). But it was in the 1990s that this event really took off.
In the mid-1990s, the league finally figured it had a good thing here and started to move the tournament around to bigger venues. And it sorely needed to.
That’s shortly after Arkansas joined the league and the Hogs brought their “soooooiiiieee Pig” and all their fans — along with some pretty darn good teams — over from the Southwest Conference.
Man, I’ll never forget the 1995 tournament, the first one at the Georgia Dome, and 250,301 fans, mostly UK and Arkansas, showed up over the four days. Not surprisingly, Kentucky and Arkansas ended up in the finals and the Cats won a thriller, 95-93 in overtime. The Hogs, however, got the last laugh and went on and won the NCAA championship.
If you’ve never attended this event, you should really try. It’s a lot of great basketball back-to-back-to-back-to-back. Most of these teams, especially this year, are playing for their postseason lives. Some wild things usually happen.
Too bad Georgia hasn’t been able to make more of a run here in Atlanta. The Dogs are 1-6 in their last seven opening games. They went 1-1 in 1996 in New Orleans, losing to Mississippi State in the semis. The next year Georgia lost to Kentucky in the finals, got a No. 3 seed in the Charlotte regional, then promptly lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Chattanooga.
So who do you think will win it this year? Kentucky has the most tournament titles — 25 — but comes in this year as a No. 4 seed. It’s the first time the Wildcats have played on the first day since league expansion in 1992.
Florida hasn’t played that well lately. Tennessee is hot. Arkansas is playing good at the moment and needs to win. Vandy never plays well here.
How ‘bout them Dawgs? Any chance?
Comments
By Dawgs2007
March 7, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this
I thought UCLA won the championship in 1995.
Jim Harrick?
By Matthew at the SLC
March 7, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this
How bout them Lady Dawgs? That should be the real story. I do not know why you even bother with this crap. Women’s basketball is more important than mens anyday.
By CATSRBEST
March 7, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
UK bringing 25,000 fans to CATLANTA..The Dawgs might as well start spring FB practice.
By Yonkers Dawg
March 7, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this
Where’s Carturd Supidland?
By Yonkers Dawg
March 7, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this
That’s Carturd STupidland.
Hey, CATSRBEST, go do your sister some more and on the way out of the state, drop Tubby off over in Athens. Felton sucks.
By GREG
March 7, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
WHAT TIME DO WE COME ON TONIGHT?
By baloney
March 7, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
Chip who was the first team to win the SEC men’s tourney when it started back after years of not being played? I think it started up again aftert the 1979 season. Check on that and get back to me.
By Chip Towers
March 7, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
Dawgs2007 — You’re right, that was Harrick’s UCLA team that won it in 1995. Arkansas won it in 1994. My deepest and sincerest apologies. Your humble correspondent.
By hammerhead
March 7, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
Hey CATSRBEST,
The Dawgs have already started spring FB practice. I hope you enjoyed your one win every 10 years over us in FB. You need to worry about the current state of your b’ball program. Without that y’all don’t have much to brag about.
YonkersDAWG doesn’t speak for the dawg fans who know basketball. We still love Tubby, but we’ll keep Felton thank you very much.
Arkansas won the NC in 94 and UCLA and Jim Harrick won it in 95, but Chip you’re right that SECC game against UK and the Hogs was one of the alltime great games in college ball. hh
By Yonkers Dawg
March 7, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
“Boy you two are just dumber than a bag of hammers, aren’t you?” _ Ulyses Everett McGill
Dumb as a hammer, get it? Just like Felton and hammerhead.
Felton sucks.
By I-DOG
March 7, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this
I wish the dawgs luck in the SEC tourney but am disapointed that we aren’t in position to score an NCAA bid if we can beat Auburn. This team had enough talent to get there.
By I-DOG
March 7, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
Now that Spring practice has started for football, I can’t believe that Watts quit football. Our casualties and washouts at this position are unbelievable.
I’m going to predict that we start V. Vance at LT, C Adams at LG, F Velasco at Center, Josh Davis at RG and J Anderson at RT.
The primary backups will be Haverkamp at guard and Tackle, Perez at Center, and T. Sturdivant at both guard spots. Chris Little will also be in the mix if there are injuries.
I think the others will redshirt and I’m not sure that Chris Davis will be big enough to help this season.
Is C. Davis going to be ready this year and at what weight? I haven’t heard much about Kevin Perez after pre-season, will he be ready to contribute?
Anyone know if Ian Smith will help the team in the 2nd half?
By JDawg
March 7, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
Heard Chris Davis was 300lbs today. That should be getting close enough, although I also hear he’s probably not ready. Won’t be playing center at least…
By ugaj
March 7, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
we have already started practice for football buddy. the dawgs roll in the tourney and play vandy in the finals on sunday don’t be surprised if it happens.
By bdfan
March 7, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this
Lets be honest, all real dawg fans would trade a national championship in basketball for a win over the gators in football.
By matt
March 7, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this
Bulldog football fans Deangelo Tyson just commited to the Bulldogs.
By SamoanDawg
March 7, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
Who do we play if we beat AU?.. I think we’re capable of.
By NewnanDawg CF
March 7, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this
With the way the season ended (all the Levi turmoil and the disappointment of basically no chance at the NCAA), I’m not sure which HoopDawgs will show up. I hope they can pull it together and at least beat Auburn. Actually, that would give us a half decent shot at upsetting the Gators. No matter how good you are, it’s tough to beat anybody 3 times in one season. All that said, we could also fall apart and let Auburn clobber us.
You’re right chip - I have thoroughly enjoyed the tournaments I have attended. Unfortunately, I have my own tournaments (tennis) to attend tomorrow and this weekend, so I’ll have to catch it on the tube this time.
Go Dawgs - shock ‘em all this weekend!
By SamoanDawg
March 7, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this
Mever mind, I got it…
Friday: Florida vs. Auburn-Georgia winner, 7:30 p.m.
It’s a tall task! but we’ll try to manage it somehow. Hopefully we’ll catch AU in a slump.
By SamoanDawg
March 7, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this
Chip.. so, should Houston Nutt join Stan Heath in the hot seat too? Two head hogs in the hot seat.
By Gen Neyland
March 7, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this
I like Tournament Time. Always have and always will. In the days of yore, I use to take off Thursday and Friday for the festivities. We beat each other silly during the season, then swarm into ATL for one more opportunity to brawl. At best, it’s entertaining and exciting. This isn’t my prediction, but wouldn’t a UT-Vandy final be great..?…Go Vols
By BuLLdawg
March 8, 2007 6:29 AM | Link to this
.
.
4 teams from the SEC make the NCAA Tournament only ? How stupid a statement is that ? There are five (5) players from the state of Georgia on the All-SEC Team announced yesterday; and, unfortunately for DENNIS FELTON, he recruited zero (0) of the 5 to Georgia including 3 from last year’s recruitment of our state by every other SEC team.
http://www.secsports.com/index.php?urlchannelid=3&urlarticleid=8501&urlsubchannelid=&changewellid=2
Sundiata Gaines did make the 2nd Team All-SEC, as a Junior from New York.
Where is the ACC Tournament in THIS SPORT either, with the AJ-C taking the viewpoint that this is somehow NOT AN SEC CITY, but an ACC one.
BS to all these items of news for the day, not disclosed elsewhere but by me here now.
And, while we are on the topic of Dennis Felton, he is still wrong as he can possibly also be that talking about hitting 5 of 7 three-point shots in a 21-point game Saturday night and NOT lifting weights the day before playing at Rupp Arena, is a good reason to suspend a Shooting Guard in his Senior Season to reinstate him moments before Senior Day Game the following Friday when he started therefore as a direct damn result 0-7 zero for seven from the field.
Nice moves Dennis Felton, you idiot.
.
.
By todd
March 8, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this
I wake up this morning to Dennis “Frenchie Mustache” Felton again talking about the selection process of the NCAA instead of just saying “we need to win games”.
It started weeks back before Ole Miss on the road, he was talking about the selection committee then!
Come on Denny, tighten your a—- up! Your a good b-ball coach who has a bunch of athletes at the moment, not b-ball players. Your getting there.
Ga 41, Auburn 39 in an ugly, ugly , unsofisticated b-ball game.
FL 81, Ga 69. As ususal Ga plays well in the 1st half, then goes out in the 2nd when someone puts some D on them on the perimiter and they shoot 2-16 from the 3 pt. line.
Why don’t they plan on throwing it down low to Big Red and let him go one on one against Noah!
Hats off to Denny, your moving up and doing a good job overall, just don’t have fluid players, guys who can shoot with someone in thier face. Instead you have Mike Mercer and all his athleticism and out of control, bad mechanics, so out of control the poor guy blew his knee out.
I think Denny will finally get over and Damon Evans (Mr. accountant athletic director will finally have to make a real decision in his new job).
On another subject, can the Ga program ever beat UF and Tenn in the same yr. in football?
OUT
By gdawginkalamazoo
March 8, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this
General, Can’t agree with you more regarding the tournament. Although UGA-Vandy would be my choice.
Todd, Amen on that selection process comments. It should be we need to beat…. then beat…… then…. Not here is what it might take to make it. I also agree on the great job he has done since he hase been there. Just fantastic so far.
Congrats to the Lady Dawgs for fighting the good fight and a good season.
By gdawginkalamazoo
March 8, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
Chip, I have to also add that I think you do a great job of covering the Dawgs. Just reporting without any put downs, uncalled for criticism, or headlines that are negative. Just to let you know this Dawg appreciates it.
By Chip Towers
March 8, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the kind words folks… . I’m not hearing many prognosticators out there today. Y’all think the Dogs are going to beat Auburn? Score? How about an over-under on fouls? I’ll set it at 50.
By jerrydog
March 8, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
dawgs win 77-68 in a very physical game. Stukes and Newman will play well, they will get beat by the gators tomorrow night by 17, run out of gas in the last 10 minutes. Overall not a bad year, considering the outlook at the beginning of the year. When is UGA going to get rid of Landers? He does less with more than any coach in the women’s game? Another typical sweet 16 and exit for the Lady Dawgs.
By Atlanta Gator
March 8, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
Chip——For what it’s worth, I think you’re far better beat UGA/SEC reporter than just about any of the other AJC writers (and I’m a Gators fan, for Pete’s sake). Tony still has interesting topics, but doesn’t engage with fan bloggers. As several Dawg bloggers have quite rightly pointed out, the tone struck by several of your other AJC beat writer and columnist colleagues varies from wise-a@@ to mocking, from smarmy to hypercritical. Most UGA (and other SEC) fans don’t appreciate that, whether it’s their particular team on the receiving end or someone else’s.
Nobody who understands the role of a journalist wants the AJC sportswriters to be cheerleaders, but it would be nice if several of your colleagues didn’t take so much glee in others’ misery; their goal seems always to be to find fault with 17 to 23 year-old athletes and their coaches. Perhaps this is inevitable in an era when ESPN Sports Center sets the wise guy tone for sports reporters; however, when bad things happen to local teams, objective reporting should be the goal.
By War Eagle
March 8, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
Chip, Auburn 67 UGA 62….
By bigdawg
March 8, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this
Damn good Dawgs! What’s with the whole Tennessee bball team wearing those headbands…?
By SamoanDawg
March 8, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this
Sorry War, it was our time 2nite. Hopefully we can pull out a miracle whip 2morrow nite.. beat the gators!
Ok my shaky score: UGA 74 UF 69
Sic’em Dawgs!
By Gen Neyland
March 9, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this
As the Tennessee Volunteers left the Ga Dome to the band playing their SEC Tournament fight song, ‘ONE and DONE ‘, Coach Pearl was overheard telling his team, ” Take a good look around at his here building, boys. This is where you won’t be coming back to this year “…I tip my hat to LSU…
By War Eagle
March 9, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
At least I was close on 67!!!!congrats, good luck against florida. If Dawgs beat Florida I am going to the Dome in all that traffic and pull for the dawgs…nice season considering….