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 > September > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFelton’s program gaining momentum
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I just a short time ago got off the phone with the Serbian guy that committed to Georgia this week. If you haven’t heard, his name is Drazan (pronouced DROW-sun) Zlovaric. I’ll be filing a story this afternoon that will be up on the site later and in tomorrow’s paper but, in the meantime, I think it’s safe to say coach Dennis Felton got him a good one here.
I’m not sure how much Zlovaric, a 6-foot-9 two-guard, might be able to help them immediately. He’s still thin and still learning the more physical American game. But Georgia got him over Texas and Arkansas and he had offers from literally dozens of Division I schools and he plays on the Serbian National team. He also has a 3.8 grade-point average, according to his high school coach, and wants to be a doctor one day. And after talking to him on the phone I can tell you he’s fluent in English.
Anyway, all of this is to provide a kind of update on the men’s basketball team. I’ve been trying to get around to it for a while but obviously football is kind of heavy on everybody’s brains this time of year. To put it succinctly, I think Georgia basketball fans have a lot to be excited.
First of all, I went to the grand opening of the new $30 million practice and training facility two weeks ago and I’m here to tell you that place is going to be a difference maker for the three programs that are going to operate out of it: men’s and women’s hoops and gymnastics. The gymnastics portion of it — quite appropriately named the Suzanne Yoculan Gymnastics Center — is state of the art and I’m not sure there is anything as nice as it anywhere. But the men’s and women’s basketball offices, locker rooms and practice gyms are also breathtaking.
To give you an idea, the men’s lockers are in a rotunda room, all wood circling some posh benches in the center. Adjacent is the team meeting room, with auditorium seating for a giant widescreen to watch game video and MTV or whatever they desire. Killer built-in sound system is piped in. Speaking of MTV, the lounge portion, which is the first thing you see when you enter, is out of an episode of Real World. Pool table on black felt with a big Georgia in the center, at least a half-dozen video game machines and an actual bar. They serve only sports drinks, water and juices but it’s definitely cool. Also big gyms with lots of goals and some pretty cool graphics painted high on the walls. Downstairs on the first floor is a huge weightroom and training facility that would be the envy of the football team.
This will — and already has — attracted some blue-chippers Georgia’s way. Some folks say, yeah, but they still have to play in Stegeman. Well, yeah, but this new place is where these players are going to spend 90 percent of there time. It was somewhat patterned after the one Kentucky built and, from everybody I talked to, they said this one is better.
But never mind all that. In attendance at the grand opening were all of Georgia’s players. We’ll have to wait to see how they play this year but, as they say, they’re going to look pretty darn good getting off the bus this year. The Bulldogs have some serious bigs this season. Singleton, Jackson, Price, Barnes, Bliss, Woodbury and Brown, all 6-7 and up. Takais Brown looks very trim and fit. Singleton and Jackson have beefed up considerably. Lot of good feedback leaking out about Price.
The only possible snag is Mike Mercer, who spent the summer at home in Snellville working at a dealership rather than rehabbing with UGA’s exceptional training staff. I’ll see if I can get an update on him during the next couple of weeks because Mercer failed to return my phone calls to him this summer. But other than that, the Dogs look like they’ll be able to run with the big dogs this fall.
OK, so football has Western Carolina on Saturday. Think you guys can bring yourselves to talk some hoops for one weekend? Practice starts one month from today!
Permalink | Comments (59) | Post your comment | Categories: Basketball
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Comments
By Chip Towers
September 14, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this
Guess not.
By trottinghometudd
September 14, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this
No it’s not B-ball yet. And, Yes Felton and his program are a class act.
Go Dawgs!!!!!
By Ramble ON!
September 14, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this
Now the mutts care about Basketball. LOL. I guess after you get your butt kicked by the ol ball coach and will be fighting Vandy for last place in the SEC East, basketball ain’t so bad after all.
By Luther
September 14, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
Excited, but a bit confused about Mercer.
By Jason
September 14, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this
Wow Chip, no posts yet. I did read the article as I try to get my hands on all UGA news I possibly can living out here in California. Great article, good insight to the new facility which I cannot wait to see & maybe, just maybe, the Hoop Dawgs can turn the corner again. Felton is doing a great job. Hope Mercer rehabs & returns though. Until then, sorry bro, bring on the football!!!! Sic’ ‘Em.
By NASCARfan
September 14, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
Chip, thanks for the B-Ball update! I’m one Dawg who loves it all. And what’s wrong with the Steg? Inside, the building is great. I would remodel the outside with brick and such to blend with the practice facility.
And I would do the same for Sanford Stadium. Brick seems to be taking over campus. We have the FIne Arts Complex, the SLC, the new Training Complex, and now the new addition to Tate, or Tate II, if you prefer. I like it. Maybe they can add windows to the accursed Journalism building? Probably not.
But adding a brick facade to the Steg and Sanford stadium would really class up to venerable, if architecturally blase’ (all that concrete isn’t eyecatching), buildings.
Anyway, thanks for the B-ball update. I am really excited about the season this year, and believe the Dawgs are Dance-bound!
By JimmyG
September 14, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this
I’m not a big fan of Mercer, so I really don’t care what he is doing. We did miss his defense and rebounding last year when he got hurt, but as a team I still think we are better. Anyway im glad we finally got this done. UGA has been in the top three of profiting athletic departments in the country the last few years, and there is no need to not have a good basketball team. Basketball and Football will both help each other. Football players like basketball, and basketball players like football. I really like Felton and I think he will get the job done. I think this was a very appropriate topic today, and thanks for the update!
How is this guy we signed late that backed up Durant in high school? Play or redshirt?
By bystander
September 14, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this
Ramble on is an idiot. Tech has played two obviously pathetic teams and the Dawgs were a far cry from getting whipped. Calvin Johnson couldn’t save your sorry butts and neither will Choice when you play real talent.
By hammerhead
September 14, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
Chip, It’s nice to hear about the new facility. Obviously, we’re all focused on football right now, but I am very excited about the program Felton is building. I think he’s doing things his way, there’s no question who’s in charge and if we can get some idea of what we’re doing offensively (and I’m still talking basketball here), then I think we’ll be a very competitive B-ball program.
I had not heard anything about this kid until you brought it up. Thanks for the info. I look for a huge year from Takais Brown. Let’s just hope we can get some consistent guard play and if Singleton could assert himself - watch out!!!
I think it’s hilarious that Ramble ON! is on here giving us crap. How many years do we have to beat Tech in a row before they’ll just stick to their blog? I wouldn’t dream of going to a Florida blog and running my mouth. I am not afraid to debate anything with a reasonable Florida fan, but to call ‘em out would be laughable. Just like this clown is laughable.
Tech people shouldn’t have any comments for us right now. They should be focused on winning in the weakest football conference in the country and then trying to avoid being beaten for the 7th consecutive year by our Bullpuppies. And they are puppies right now - ‘08 and ‘09 they’ll be full grown Dawgs!
By AltamahaDawg
September 14, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
Is Martha Quinn still the host of MTV?
By lawdawg
September 14, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
By Chip Towers “Guess not.”
I don’t care who you are, that’s funny!…trying to discuss UGA basketball the day before a football game is likely to get this sort of response, I think—even if we’re playing Western Carolina.
But seriously, I am looking forward to UGA’s basketball season this year. As a student, I want to make it to a lot more of the games this year, and I think we’ve finally got the talent to compete in the SEC this year…as long as Mercer is back and at 100%. He’s our playmaker, and we need him to be good this year, or it could be ugly again.
By elderdawg
September 14, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
Serious Bigs is more than just the 6’7”. Try 6 players, almost half the roster, is over 250 lbs. And that is on tall guys, so its not fat.
By Rolo Tomasi
September 14, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
Chip —— The day before a football game,bad timimg on this one.
By Joey
September 14, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this
Gonna change the subject a bit - griped all day Sunday about the fact that SC defense seemed to know many of our offensive plays ahead of time, including one that I don’t think we’ve run since David Greene was QB. Then Monday the Pats spying scandal story breaks.
Could Spurrier have gotten our plays somehow during the game?
By Ramble ON!
September 14, 2007 5:56 PM | Link to this
The good thing fleabags is you have a better coach than GT, to bad he’s buying his time to get out of that gym that looks like a wash tub. Can you say Tubby no pun intended? Maybe before he goes he’ll take you to the big dance the one your parents and grand parents told you about
You’re still going to be fighting Vandy for last place in the div. for football though.
By buLLcrap
September 14, 2007 6:09 PM | Link to this
Normally, momentum is gained by heading down hill…
By Michael G.
September 14, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this
If Drazan Zlovaric has a sweet jump shot like the former “other” Drazen (Petrovic) had, then we could have a pretty good team. Florida’s down, Kentucky’s not dominant anymore, Tennessee lost guys. We have a real chance to win the East Division this season.
Chip, this was a good time to post about basketball. We do have a football game tomorrow, but come on, it’s a directional Carolina. Not like we will learn anything about the team from this win. The football season starts back next week with Bama.
Chip, have you heard anything about who we will schedule for our 2nd game next season. We open with GSU, bye, and USC. Three of the four Div. 1 schools with byes that same time are Hawaii, Air Force, and Wyoming. Any guesses or preferences on who you’d like to see come to town?
By Wozzo the Wonder Dog
September 14, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this
I hope Mercer isn’t working with the same car dealership people that operated in Norman, Oklahoma.
Dravan Ziovaric: probable nicknames are Disease (DZ), Dunkin’ DROW-sun, or Unpronounceable.
Shorter Name: The Ho Center
By braveswin
September 14, 2007 6:40 PM | Link to this
Ramble On @ the mouth,When is the last time Yech won @ anything? Even your team color is urine.When your Gnats beat our Dawgs then you can spew your pitiful BS. Until then do what your teams daddy (UGA) tells you to do. SHUT UP.You only serve to self describe yourself as a bed wetting tickle pile bottom dweller……..Now Ramble On back to your boyfriend you worthless nerd
By BigNCDawg
September 14, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this
NASCARfan I’m with you, I love it all too. I love all the DAWGS sports. By the way I live in the heart of Nascar country.
By Ramble 'ON!
September 14, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this
Learn to take a joke guys.
Got a date so gotta go finish my hair. See ya later!
By Jay
September 14, 2007 8:12 PM | Link to this
The Stegman coliseum is no worse looking than that monstrosity on the Tech campus that looks like a giant nipple.
By Chip Towers
September 14, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this
Bad timing the day before a football game? It’s Wester nCarolina, for gosh sakes! You guys that tailgate nearby should go by and check out the new digs!
By Auburn 01
September 14, 2007 9:02 PM | Link to this
Chip, when is the AJC going to print pictures of the new beautiful practice and training facility? The AJC does have a camera…I hope.
By Max Sizemore
September 14, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this
Chip, I’ve played basketball with Serbians before and I can tell you, they are nothing if not physical. I don’t know who told you they play a less physical game, but I’d have to question that source.
By GT22**
September 14, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
UGA basketball is a joke. end of story
By GT22**
September 14, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
UGA basketball is a joke. end of story
By Ryne
September 14, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
Thanks Chip! I’m a student here and probably like going to basketball games more than football gasp. Yeah it’s true, but i don’t care, I love it all really. I was waiting on a bus the other day, so i figured what the heck I’ll walk in and see the new place. I only have one question concerning the new practice facility. They have the strongest lifters and stuff on the wall outside of weightroom there, and they had Singleton as the strongest, bench pressing 340 and power cleaning 280 or something. This has to be some sort of joke right? Can’t you look into that and find out who really is the strongest. Thanks a bunch!
By boots
September 14, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this
Chip, are you suggestion Mercer’s committment to the program is questionable? Not sure what you are implying here. Great news about the BBall program. We are on the rise, and I expect great things over the next few years. Now if we can use that facility for indoor football practice, we might have something ELSE to get excited about. After all, where did that money come from if not from Sat. afternoons in Sanford Stadium and CMR’s program. Go Dawgs! (and GT22 - Tech’s program is full of one-year student thugs)
By CMR
September 14, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this
Hey the reason Chip is bringing up basketball is that they can get three points for field goals in that game too. See, the pups on the grid and the pups on the hardwood have something in common.
Give him a break, the grid pups have a high school team to play tomorrow. We will be as high as a kite once we figure out that we get six points if we carry the ball across the line instead of kicking it across and though the uprights.
I am sure I will come back to see that bandwagon full again if we get past another unranked (lower division) team.
You know, with NASCARfan’s architectural talents, he might have spent a little time in Atlanta at the North Avenue Trade School himself. I’ll bet he put brick on the outside of his double wide. Is there anything he doesn’t know (besides what team he should be pulling for)?
Spurrier is SUPERIOR.
Lose again little doggies!
By CMR
September 14, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this
Boots,
I am all about sharing. As a matter of fact, we might use a little of out Saturday afternoon profits from Sanford and Son Stadium to pay the legal fees for our moron of a pharmacy professor that didn’t understand the meaning of the word STOP. I think it would only be fair to the taxpayers of the Great State of Georgia.
Were are all a TEAM at UGA and there is no I in Team. However, there is an M and an E in team and they are there for ME.
By Not even the greatest offense in Troy Alabama
September 14, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
Look what Troy State is doing to Okla St tonight.I don’t think our Dawgs can assume anything.I’m not saying W Carolina will test us, just that we need to be prepared for a real game.
By Rolo Tomasi
September 14, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this
Yea Chip it’s Western NC,look what’s happening in Troy Alabama tonight.I know WNC has lost 11 strait but I didn’t see enough from our guys last week to assume anything.
By Gen Neyland
September 14, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this
Can somebdy tell me what the genus/species is of the hedgerow that surrounds Dooley Field..? It looks pretty durable and can withstand pruning from SEP through NOV…I don’t expect it to suffer a trim job tomorrow…Cox plays and Dawgs win 45-13…UT wins ( OH PLEASE JUST WIN ) 27-24…
By ConyersDawg
September 15, 2007 1:30 AM | Link to this
Chip, thank you, thank you, thank you for continuing to buck the trend and keep dawg BB at a premium. There is going to be a day real soon where people will be chiming in a lot and looking for reports on the dawg bb program, in which you do a good job of.
Question though, is that it for this class? It looks like they only had 3 scholly’s available and I was hoping to land Taner Smith or Theondre Williams. I didn’t think we had a shot at this kid even though he listed us up high.
Really great news for us. Felton is building a great program with kids who will stay in the program which will produce many east titles and secc to come!
I think people are going to be shockd at how well Zack Swansey plays for us this year and next years pg Dustin Ware (currently a senior) is a good one.
By Nikki
September 15, 2007 6:27 AM | Link to this
The new practice facility is gonna be great. I’m sure it’ll help vlure better recruits to the school. Unfortunately, for me, every time I think of that new facility it just reminds of me the lack of an indoor practice facility for the football team. It seems that the sport that brings in the most revenue for the school should be taken care of the most. Oh, but thank goodness the B-ball team is more than taken care of.
By Cuz
September 15, 2007 6:34 AM | Link to this
General, that would be your common Privet hedge. I have several in my yard and they grow wild in my part of Georgia. Maybe you could put some Mountain Laurel in the river stadium and no one would be able to find the field.
Better have them Vols double shot their guns when they go Gator hunting.
By FanMan
September 15, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this
To Michael G.:
UT lost one guy, and will be ranked in the Top 10, possibly top 5 to begin the season. They are the favorite to win the East, and the SEC.
By AltamahaDawg
September 15, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this
Cuz, come’on at least you still got the hots for Martha Quinn, I know NCF has no idea who that is, but you, 80s man.
By Nick
September 15, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
I wondered and worried a bit after UGA lost to a pathetic SC team but after seeing OK St. lose to Troy (no correct that, get drilled by Troy), I really worry and wonder if they’ll win another game the rest of the year.
By Don
September 15, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this
Chip, is there trouble in Mercer land? Could this be a bad sign that he isn’t either fit or interested in playing in 2008?
By ConyersDawg
September 15, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
Tenn. will definetily be the favorite in the east and the favorite for the whole SEC imo too FanMan.
Nikki, I honestly think tyhe reason the indoor facility hasn’t been built yet is Ga. can’t build a facility without it being the best. I think the indoor facility we build will have a state of the art indoor track to be able to host track events as well as host the football team. Ga. will be the envy of even Ok St. and all their money can’t match.
By AltamahaDawg
September 15, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
Nick, I think the only possible solution for you is to not watch another game.
By Hunk Erdown
September 15, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
Wow Altahama, one ilttle question about mercer, now I get a whole basketball blog.
By Rolo Tomasi
September 15, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this
Good god we’re looking bad against W Carolina.How did it come to starting a 270 lb true freshman (Clint Boling)at guard ? These guys can’t block a team that gives up 60 points a game.Stafford fumbles after being blind sided.This is the worst I’ve ever seen a GA team play.Alabama is going to kill these guys.
By Rolo Tomasi
September 15, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
The only way we’ve moved the ball at all is with THE SCREEN PASS.There is real trouble brewing.I,ve never in my life seen a UGA team look this bad on offense.
By A-ville Ranger
September 15, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this
Guys we can’t run against W Carolina,how bad can it get ? Stafford looks like he feels sorry for himself.
By Powerhouse?
September 15, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
Munson was right…the Dawgs SUK!!! 3-3 tie after one against WC = 5-7 season. The OK St win was nothing. Look at how they lost to Troy St.
By Michael G
September 15, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Fan Man…
Other than Lofton and T. Smith, Tenn. will not have a starter over 6’2. They will be quick and talented, but I believe they can be exposed be a quality front-court. And I’m not convinced that B. Pearl is anything more than an overrated head coach. That’s why I like our chances to win the East in B-Ball.
By A-ville Ranger
September 15, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this
I watched the game they played with an elliptical ball today.Alabama’s defensive coaches will watch video of this one,see we couldn’t play power ball against a team that was giving up 340 yds rushing a game coming in and design a game plan to force us to the inside.Our O-guards haven’t been able to block worth a nickle in three games.Havercamp is simply out of his depth.He spends more time on his butt than on his feet.I think our rushing total was 133 and most of that was due to Moreno more than anything.
By AltamahaDawg
September 15, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
I’ll let somebody else take that one, but hey its nice to know somebody loves you.
By DirkDawggler
September 16, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this
Alrighty, then. Yesterday’s 13 hour football orgy is over, so I’ll contribute to the conversation.
I’m absolutely jacked about the future of Georgia hoops. The facilities aside, I think we’ve got the right man at the helm of the program and an A.D. who understands what it will take. Do we need a new basketball arena? I think the old law of supply and demand will dictate this over time. And that time will eventually come. Georgia is a hotbed of talent. For years this state was basically raided by Kentucky and then everyone else. Now that there is an obvious commitment to winning, that will change in a hurry. I believe Georgia hoops is about to go on an unprecedented run. Felton is building a national power without compromising anything. This will be fun to watch.
By Trarelover
September 16, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this
word out mercer might sit out 2008
By AltamahaDawg
September 17, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
cuz, run that email addy by me again?
By gadawgluver
September 18, 2007 6:01 AM | Link to this
Ramble On - If someone spanks my arse 7 times I would shut up. I am a little slow but not stupid. Maybe it takes 8 for you though.
Does GT have a new 30 million state of the art, high tech, practice facility. Just tearing that arse up in football and now coming in basketball.
Go ahead and admit it Ramble On, you scared now aren’t you?
By Brian
September 18, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this
Mercer was rehabbing his knee over the summer, and who cares if it wasn’t in Athens. He has a kid in Snellville, so no big deal.
It may be best that he sits out this year but he is still pumping in the dunks at Ramsey.
Hope he can make it back!
By Cuz
September 18, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this
Alt are you talking in code. My enigma machine is missing the W’s.
Martha Quinn, I would have crawled through five miles of rattlesnake infested wasteland just to stand in her garbage.
By AltamahaDawg
September 18, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this
Your email adress, you damn fool!
By Cuz in the Midwest
September 24, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this
emrbg@aol.com