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 > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFinal Four frenzy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Greetings from Hoopsville, folks. I have been covered up in Final Four assignments the past couple of days and will be through the weekend. I’m part of the “Atlanta team” in the days leading up to Saturday’s semfinals. That means I’m generating stories from this end while our other writers, who were out covering the regionals, report from the respective campuses of the four teams: Florida, Georgetown, Ohio State and UCLA. I’m also assigned to Georgetown but cover the Hoyas from this end of things.
The Final Four is a lot of work but also a lot of fun when it’s in your city. Wondering how you Georgia folks feel about it. Is it something you are keenly following or taking only a token interest in? Certainly those of you with brackets in the office pool will pay close attention. I had three of the four teams in my bracket and I got robbed on my fourth one making it — Texas A&M. The person working the clock must have been a Longhorn.
Don’t know if you guys notice these kinds of things, but the coverage of the Final Four you are getting by our newspaper is some of the best that’s ever been done — and that includes 2002, when I was actually working as college editor and coordinating our coverage. Jeff D’Alessio is our colleges editor now and he is a special one. Put it this way, if he were a player, he’d be an All-American. So kick back and relax and try to soak in all the coverage we’ll be providing this week.
Now who all out there is planning to go to the games? If you don’t have tickets, will you still be coming downtown? They have all kinds of activities planned for Centennial Olympic Park and the areas around the Georgia Dome, CNN Center and Philips Arena. And how ‘bout it Dawg fans? You going to be rooting for the SEC team in this shin-dig?
Permalink | Comments (28) | Post your comment | Categories: Basketball
Comments
By Michael Scharff
March 27, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
I am enjoying the coverage. I have always thought that the ajc has the best interactive news site of any paper, including the Washington Post and New York Times. The only thing I wish it had that another paper’s on-line site has is an interactive comics page like the Houston Chronicle or like the Seattle Post. It is very difficult for me to pull for the Gators in anything. I have loyalty to the conference, but I cannot stand Florida. Besides, if they repeat, then we have to listen to even more Gator bragging until we can finally start whupping them in football again and restore the natural order to the SEC East!
By Wozzo the Wonder Dog
March 27, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
Sports Section, comics, Sudoku, and sometimes Sunday coupons. It could be World War III but the paper better have the latest comics. One of my favorites by the way is “Pearls Before Swine”, partly because the author has the stupid crocodiles as frequent characters (just pretend they’re Florida Gators).
Chip — What’s your prediction on the NIT tonight and the Final Four outcome?
Wild guess, but Ohio State over Florida for double payback in a game that isn’t even close. NIT: Clempson over Mississippi State (again, a wild guess).
By Buck Cochran in the NW
March 27, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
Everybody knows my pick and I wish thati was ther to be a part of the atsmosphere. It would be a lot of fun. Not to worry about the natural order being restored this fall. The Dawgs are putting themseleves in position to restore that “order of things”. I’m having fun watching from afar as our Head Coach puts the pieces in place to win the SEC in ‘07. Okla St. is just what we need for an opener and when we beat SOS again, he’ll be downwind from the Dawgs. Payback from the 90’s is fun. All you guys have fun in Atlanta and I’ll be joining you on the tube. And Yes, those darn Reptiles will again cut down the nets.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
March 27, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this
Clarify time: I didn’t say I would be rooting for the Reptiles, I just think they’ll win.
By Mr Wrestling#2
March 27, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
Anybody but Florida
By pj
March 27, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this
It’s a classic final four, and I predict it will get the highest ratings in years… watch for that.
1.You’ve got the midwest, the south, the west coast and the (sort of) northeast.
You have a rematch of last year’s title game and the defending national champs.
You’ve got recognizable players (its been awhile)on each team.
You’ve got a great story in Georgetown (Ewing/Thompson all over again).
You’ve got next year’s #1 pick and future superstar Greg Oden
You have about 200,000 people who picked this bracket and have an extreme vested interest in the games. I picked all but the Hoyas.
I’m excited, and I haven’t said that in about 5 or 6 years.
Chip - who did Florida recruit the past year or so, and how will the dogs stack up next year? (it’s never too early to look at next year)
By Stephen
March 27, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
The only way I will EVER root for Florida is if it directly helps the Dawgs (i.e. them winning puts us in a championship game). Otherwise to hell with them and their fans. I was pulling for Ohio State for all I was worth in football. I love the SEC, but anyone other than Florida.
By UFownsUGA
March 27, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this
natural order in the SEC East? UF has won the East 3 times as many times as UGA has. The years UGA did win it they lost to UF.
We are your daddies and the Kings of College Sports.
WIn a National Title in something other than Gymnastics and then come talk to us.
Till then keep hating us. All you have is hate, we have the titles…
By BadgerDawg
March 27, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this
I agree with most posters here…anyone but Florida. I just don’t see how any self-respecting Dawg doesn’t have a hatred for the Gators, and if that is true, how can you pull for them now? Don’t give me the conference BS. When these people(assuming Atlanta pro fans) pull for the Mets and Saints in playoff time, they will be consistent. That is ridiculous, and so is pulling for your rival n this case. Stephen, if the Gators winning would really help the Dawgs(we get to the SEC Championship if 3rd place UF knocks off 1st place UK), I couldn’t even watch the stupid game, but I obviously agree I would secretly want them to win.
OSU over UCLA for it all. Go Dogs(MSU) tonight!
By BadgerDawg
March 27, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this
UF, I think natural order was meant to be interpreted as the previous 50 years, not the last 20. I also think you are neglecting our success in tennis, swimming, baseball, etc. When Dan Kendra, umm I mean Tebow, shows how he should be moved to FB, the reality check will have arrived and the downslide will begin. That will only continue when the existing bball team leaves and someone finally blows the whistle on Donovan.
About the hate, no argument there.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
March 27, 2007 7:46 PM | Link to this
Repeat: I picked the Reptiles because I think they will defend their title. I’m a very self respecting Dawg and I don’t want them to win but when I put my moola on the table, I’m going to place it where I believe I have the best chance to win. Wouldn’t bother me if I lose.
By UFownsUGA
March 27, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this
the previous 50 years UF owns the head to head record vs. UGA.
didn’t know the last 20 didn’t count?
Your praying Tebow equals Kendra…You idiots have been saying a UF slide was on its way for awhile. You even said Urban Meyer would never win an SEC or National Title. You guys sure arent close on those predictions huh.
I guess Tebow was showing his fullback skills when he was setting almost every state of Florida PASSING record.
Want to compare ther athletics? UF has won 14 of the last 15 SEC all-sport trophies and are on their way to a 15th. UF and Stanford are the ONLY schools to finish in the top 10 EVERY year in the National All-SPorts rankings since they started.
Want to compare Academics dawg fans? Pull up US News and World Report or Kiplingers and find yourselves behind UF there too.
Keep saying things are gonna slide for UF we hear every year from you guys and youve yet to be right.
But hey there was that HErchel guy many moons ago and you still got those Jean Short jokes that apply to your fanbase as much as ours. Keep hating.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
March 27, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this
The Reptiles are still missing a key requirement for the “spread option” attack and that is a running back. They didn’t get one in this class so that’ll be a problem. Tebow? You can bet your sweet a** that Martinez knows that Tebow did infact break all kinds of passing records in HS. and anyone who thinks he can’t throw just aren’t facing reality. We’ll be ready because we’ll have a killer DB by then but don’t fall into that trap of saying he can’t throw. There’s one team he never beat and that’s St. Augustine high. I’d study every film they have.
By UFownsUGA
March 27, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this
Actually the spread option attack doesnt need an RB when you have guys like Percy Harvin, Andre Caldwell, Cornelious Ingram and Jarred Fayson. But in case your wondering if UF has a running back with that type of speed and elusiveness check out this “film”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8cf_NMsA
ut oh….
By UFownsUGA
March 27, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this
Watch the video Buck. I would call that a Running Back…..from this class!
By AltamahaDawg
March 27, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this
And yet for all that to be proud of, you still spend your time in a Dawg Blog? Envy is very difficult to disguise.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
March 27, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this
it is kinda of funny that the Reptiles come on this blog, which it’s a free world and they can, yet I’ve never felt the need to go on a Reptile blog. Still, not to worry because come Oct. Mathew and his gang will start putting things in the order they should be.
By Gen Neyland
March 27, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this
Buck
I read you loud and clear. It’s not picking an enemy, it’s picking a choice to win it all. I’m probably being sneered at for my pick too, but I’d do it again… Peoples, this is the NCAA Basketball Tourney, not a one shot affair on a Saturday afternoon in JAX. From a pool of 65, you play the brackets and make a choice. You try to win the bracket game, not play from the heart…I’m a Tennessee Vol, thru and thru, but I had UF and UNC in the Final…
Buck played from the head and that’s all there is to it…
By BadgerDawg
March 28, 2007 1:09 AM | Link to this
Buck, I didn’t accuse you, and I know there’s a difference between picking them and rooting for them. I picked them to make the Final 4 as well, I was just hoping I was wrong. The question on the blog was whether you were rooting for them, that’s why I answered. It wasn’t a response to you, I understood clearly you were predicting them to win and not necessarily liking it. Their run ends Saturday to UCLA, and the whole teams turn pro by next week, which will pretty much put them where Felton was in year two with the Dawgs.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
March 28, 2007 1:18 AM | Link to this
Gen Neyland, that’s exactly what I did and I’ve been a little supprised at some of the reaction. My Georgia banner still hangs on the wall and Matthew is still “My Boy” and we’ll win the SEC in ‘07. Our game with the Vols should be a humdinger. You play the Reptiles 1st(3rd week?) and we take care of SOS.
By Buck Cochran in the NW
March 28, 2007 7:21 AM | Link to this
BadgerDawg, thnks for understanding the difference betwen a cold hearted pick and supportig a team but you nailed another problem on the head. This bunch of Reptiles have been hammered on nationwide for the entire season which is understandable. Now here’s whuy I think they’ll beat U.C.L.A. The Bruins haven’t been under he gun every play every game this season. The Reptiles have and I think it’s made them tougher than ever. one of the dumbest comments I’ve ever heard wasmade on ESPN. I think it was Seth some body, but he said that as opposed to last year when Howland had only one day to prepare, this year he’s hada whole week to get ready. DUH! I guess he thinks that the Reptiles haven’t had that same week. Now the seaqson is ove for the Reptiles and they have only 2 teams left standing in their way and have time to prepare. U.C.L.A. WILL LOSE BY 8-12 POINTS. For the Reptiles, it’s show time. They’ve taken on everybody and look where they are, back on the national stage where this group shines.
By gdawginkalamazoo
March 28, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this
Buck, we understand. IMO if Georgetown plays anything like they did at the end of that UNC game they will take it. Amazing what they did at the end of that game and in the OT. If they aren’t spent after that UNC game then they have a great chance.
By AltamahaDawg
March 28, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
Thats a pretty amazing story in todays AJC about the golden retriever saving his owners life, doing the hiemlick. It makes me wonder, if Matthew Stafford would have been there, just how great that truly would have been.
By Gen Neyland
March 28, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
Looking beyond the NCAA BBT, the SEC may once again be THE nations battleground for excellence in college football. It’s almost a shame we gotta beat each other to a pulp to prove it…If we could only schedule more games with the ACC…
By MadMerf
March 28, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
Altamaha, you’re trippin’ man. Leave it alone.
Buck, I apologize for calling you out in the last blog, but you were spewing too much love talkin’ about a movie being made for the gator’s run, it was making me nauseous.
Gen Neyland, amen brother. Now if we could only get Vandy into the ACC, you could have your own in-state, interconference whipping boy!
Like we have with Tech. SC has Clemson. UF seems to have FSU’s number, etc.
Speaking of the gators, f’em, I wanna see the Georgia Dome turned into a big croc pot. Go Bruins (ouch)!
By Is this serious?
March 28, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
I hope the AJC doesn’t pull a muscle patting itself on the back. I for one have not been impressed with it’s college coverage, particularly in football. Carter Strickland is the Bill O’Reilly of Georgia football coverage and the AJC is Fox News. Hey AJC, I hear one of our walk ons got a parking ticket today. I can’t wait to read your headline on that one, which I’m sure will be plastered all over the front page of tommorrow’s paper. I’ll go ahead and let you know that I am extremely distraught by this development and weep for the future of Georgia football. You don’t even have to bother with a blog about it. Thanks for the great journalism AJC.
By AltamahaDawg
March 28, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this
Speaking of tripping, hoping to get away from the office for a few days next week. What I am counting on is that as much of a leader as Matthew Stafford is now with his teammates now, the price of gas would start to go down a bit.
By Brian
March 28, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
Chip - Do you really think that Texas A&M got robbed on the out of bounds call against Memphis. You sound like one of the whiny Dallas Morning Star Sports reporters. Look at the film. The ball hits a Memphis player’s hand in bounds and then bounced once in bounds before heading for the stands. It was not touched by anything or anybody out-of-bounds until 2.0 sec left in the game. It was the right call according to the rules. So long Aggies, you would not have beaten Ohio St. anyways! Why does everyone hate Memphis??? Have fun at the Final Four this weekend.