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 > 2008 > April > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSpecial banquet for Hoop Dogs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As reporters, I think most of us would agree that postseason awards banquets aren’t on the top of the list of things we like to do. We’d all probably rather be chronicling some exciting event where the outcome is uncertain or telling the inside story of someone’s great achievement or, you know, sleeping.
That said, I must admit that the Georgia men’s basketball postseason awards banquet last night, orchestrated by the UGA Tipoff Club at Athens Country Club, was one of the more enjoyable banquets I’ve attended. It had some of the usual drawbacks, like being really long (four hours from social hour to coach Dennis Felton’s last remark). But other than the physical limitations of the human bladder, it really bopped along pretty good, relatively speaking.
But, of course, you knew it would be a special night considering that incredible accomplishment that was the Bulldogs winning the tornado-invaded SEC Tournament and all the strange happenings that event entailed. One last time from me: Still one of the most incredible athletic accomplishments, unexpected outcomes and sheer acts of adversity-overcoming I’ve ever personally witnessed.
And so the Tipoff Club, the coaching staff, all the organizers — and even the players — came prepared to put it all in proper perspective. I don’t have time to mention everything that went on but I’ll run through the highlights for you (no bathroom break required).
I don’t know who put together all the video tributes but there were three of them and they were all excellent. One at the outset was highlights of the whole season going back to the very start set to a couple of hip-hop scored. In the middle of program was a players’ interview tribute (interspersed with highlight video) to the two senior co-captains David Bliss and Sundiata Gaines. That was a great inside peek of the locker room dynamics and hilarious to boot. I’ll just say that, after their basketball careers, Corey Butler and Jeremy Jacob should consider comedy careers. And finally a slick, professional looking diary of the SEC Tournament with audio accompaniment of Scott Howard’s radio accounts (which ought to win him some kind of award, by the way).
As for the awards themselves, they were somewhat predictable:
Individual Workout Award (weightroom, conditioning, etc): G Terrance Woodbury
Most Improved: C Albert Jackson
Take Charge Award: G Corey Butler
Academic Award: C David Bliss
Best Rebounder: G Sundiata Gaines
Best Playmaker: Gaines
Best Defender (and they had comprehensive stats to back this up): Bliss
Junkyard Dawg Award: Bliss
Kevin Brophy Heart and Hustle Award: Bliss
Team MVP: Bliss and Gaines
The only slight surprise for me might have been Yata sharing the MVP award with Bliss, considering the laundry list of stats Gaines produced. But later, when you heard from the players, you realized what a big stick Bliss carried with the whole group.
All three assistant coaches handed out those awards. Keeping it short, I’ll just say associate head coach Pete Hermann has a future as motivational speaker … or preacher.
Wrapping up (see, I’m much quicker), I’m just going to repeat some of the best lines and stories told and get out of the way.
Oft-repeated story on Zac Swansey’s 3-pointer to beat Kentucky in quarterfinals: Swansey was carefully directed by coach Dennis Felton and the staff to drive hard down the right side as Bliss would screen low for Billy Humphrey coming around from the left and out to the arc on the right side. If Humphrey was covered Zac should look inside because Bliss should be open. Then Felton left him with these last words — “Make the play, Zac; make the play.” “That’s all Zac heard,” Hermann recounted to huge laughter. “Forget about the play and all that other stuff. He just thought he was supposed to make the play. And he did!”
State representative Doug McKillip (D-Athens) was on hand to deliver a Resolution from the state legislature. Thanks goodness he was perceptive enough not to read all the “whereas’s” and “therefores.” Methinks that was worth several votes.
With one commitment already secure for next season (DeMario Mayfield, Franklin County) and only two scholarships expected to come open, Felton was asked what they were doing in recruiting. He said he was actually dropping by two middle schools Wednesday. No lie. Of course it’s no secret that they’re working extra super hard on South Atlanta 6-9 forward Derrick Favors, who Rivals.com currently ranks the No. 3 overall player in the country.
Damon Evans presented the players with their NCAA gift, which were small replicas of the NCAA basketball championship trophy. Said Felton: “I think it’s the perfect daily reminder of what we’re all about here. Now we want the big one, right guys?”
On the SEC tournament run, Felton said he felt the team coming on despite the mounting losses at the end of the regular season. “The culture had taken hold within the walls of our locker room. The more we struggled the closer and tighter we got.”
And finally, of the tornado that swept through that Friday night and changed the dynamics of the SEC tournament, Felton said he believes that was the work of the one senior player not in attendance, the late Kevin Brophy. “That was Kevin calling in a favor for us.”
Hey, I know, a little dramatic. But for a banquet it was some pretty good stuff.
Feel free to take the blog anywhere you want it (like y’all need my permission) but some thoughts on the basketball team and/or the direction of the program, etc., would be a nice final tribute to those guys. And yes, I think Pollack did the right thing.
Permalink | Comments (24) | Post your comment | Categories: Basketball
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By Michael Scharff
April 23, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
Congratulations to Coach Felton and to the Bulldog Hoopsters. I agree taht there SEC run was breathtaking and amazing - a study in courage and fortitude. David Pollack, I wih you the absolute best in whatever you decide to do in the future. Thanks for all you did and continue to do for the Dawgs!
By Chip Towers
April 23, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
By the way, The Tipoff Club has posted one of the videos on their website. Check it out:
http://www.ugatipoffclub.com
By Thenumber34
April 23, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
I was in attendance as well last night, and I could not have been more proud of a group of athletes. They are a great group of men, and I’m proud that they are representing the re-birth of UGA basketball.
Kudos to the Tip-Off Club and the coordinator of the video presentations….first class!!!
By Thenumber34
April 23, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this
I was in attendance as well last night, and I could not have been more proud of a group of athletes. They are a great group of men, and I’m proud that they are representing the re-birth of UGA basketball.
Kudos to the Tip-Off Club and the coordinator of the video presentations….first class!!!
By Halberstram
April 23, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the info Chip, that was a great blog entry. Congrats again to the Hoop Dawgs and coaches!
By Tst
April 23, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
Congratulations to all
By DawgTrappedInIndy
April 23, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
That was a great account of the banquet. It really makes me wish I could have attended. Hopefully we will soon look back on the 2008 SEC tourney as the turning point for the UGA program.
By DawgTrappedInIndy
April 23, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
That was a great account of the banquet. It really makes me wish I could have attended. Hopefully we will soon look back on the 2008 SEC tourney as the turning point for the UGA program.
By JB
April 23, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
Chip,
Great stuff and well deserved.
What are the odds of landing Favors???
HBTD!!!!!
By 82DAWG
April 23, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
Well, JB, UGA is in Favor’s list of final four (UGA, GT, F$U and Clemson). Based on that we have as good of a chance as anyone.
By Chip Towers
April 23, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
JB: My understanding on Favors is it’s likely going to come down to Tech and Georgia. Both want him bad but I know the Dogs don’t feel like their world depends on signing him and they’re not real big on the one-and-done thing, which is a real possibility with that guy. Not sure how Tech is viewing the situation but it’s likely to be a war!
By NewnanDawgCF
April 23, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Just watched the SEC tourney video and was back on the edge of my seat again. I’ve been to some incredible UGA sporting events in the last 20 yrs, but being at that SEC championship game will always be one of the best. Congrats Hoop Dawgs and it really does feel kind of like a new beginning! Can’t wait to see where this story goes…….
By JB
April 23, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
I presume you mean one yr and off to the pro’s? That said, I’m not a big fan of that either but on the flip, he’s presence wouldn’t hurt, even if only for a year. More W’s, more attention.
HBTD!!!!
By scooter11
April 23, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
We’ve seen how well one-and-done has worked out on 10th Street. In net, I don’t think Felton can continue rebuilding/recovering if he resorts to short-term players (I hope Thompkins doesn’t turn out to be one). Felton needs continuity.
By Steve
April 23, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
I agree completely on not giving too much weight to one-and-dones. The Bumbles have suffered mightily by regular defections to the NBA, and I don’t want to see the Dogs make the same mistake. Great players come and go, but with Georgia coming out of the depths, the last thing we need is guys using a season in Athens as a stepping stone.
By RAMBLE ON!
April 23, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
Thenumber34 must be the amount of people that attended last night or is that for the crazy man who points guns at girls heads?
Coach Felton is a better coach than Hewitt, but UGAg Basketball will forever be a pathetic joke.
Felton has integrity. He is better suited for GT.
By scooter11
April 23, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Ramble: Thanks for your input, but is a techie really questionning an issue of attendance at a sports-related event? You were right about one thing, though: Felton has integrity - certainly moreso than you.
By bill_in_atl
April 23, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
With the core group that Felton is putting in place having a superstar for one year can make a huge difference in winning SEC and even national championships.
It doesn’t seem to hurt schools like Ohio St to have Conley and Oden for 1 year, or Texas to have had Durant for a year. This year Kevin Love seemed to help UCLA and Derrick Rose didn’t seem to hurt Memphis just to name a couple of “one and dones”.
If he’s really that good then he would be VERY beneficial to have on campus even if he would leave after one year, provided he is not a prima donna selfish type of player that would be a cancer in Felton’s system. (No need to open THAT page again.)
By Dbtdawg
April 23, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
“I think that was just Kevin calling in a favor for us”
Wow, that line just sent chills down my spine.
By Fort Worth Dawg
April 24, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
Now I am very curious as to the background on associate head coach Pete Hermann. Chip, can you dig up some background info on him?
By Seth Abromowitz
April 24, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
Was there any mention of the team’s ability to blow a double digit lead in one half in the Big Dance?
By Golf_Dawg
April 24, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
Seth, you sound like a classy individual…
As someone who attended the event, it was a great night.
Fort Worth Dawg, Chip can elaborate, but coach Hermann was the coach at Navy that led them to the Elite Eight with David Robinson. Great guy!
By Seth Abromowitz
April 25, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this
Stay classy Golf_Dog……dork
By RantUGA
April 27, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
Georgia got into a zone that was the result of getting the most out of your players from the start of the SEC tourney and all the way to the last 6 minutes of game one in the NCAA tourney.
I say give Felton at least another year - the guy took over a classic Harrick waste land. He also had the balls to kick arguably his best two players off the team. Mercer was part of the Louis Williams deal, which Williams the #1 player decided for the NBA over UGA (What’s he doing now anwyay?). So i can’t blame Felton for going for the gusto on the Williamn / Mercer package. He got burned, he’ll learn. It’s not like we are privlidged to consistent NCCA Tourney bids in Athens. We had Dominique and still didn’t make the championship game - of course neither did the Hawks.
I’m tired of rambling. Somebody please just fire Bobby Cox.