ATHENS — You often hear athletes who are recovering from injuries describe their progress in percentages. “I’m about 75 or 80 percent,” they might say heading into a big game in which their presence is needed.
Georgia’s Marcus Thornton has a different way of gauging those situations. The Bulldogs’ starting power forward, who hadn’t played since Dec. 23 because of a knee injury, showed up seemingly out of the blue Wednesday night and played 23 minutes in Georgia’s 57-53 overtime win over Tennessee.
Asked afterward how healthy he was, Thornton flashed a wide grin. “One hundred percent or zero percent, there is no in between to me,” he said.
So pronounce Thornton 100 percent recovered, even though everyone involved knows that’s not the case. Thornton is back in the rotation as the Bulldogs (10-8, 1-3 SEC) prepare to host Ole Miss (12-6, 2-2) at 4 p.m. Saturday at Stegeman Coliseum.
Thornton, who had knee surgery shortly after Christmas, returned Wednesday despite having only one-half of a practice with the team. That came Tuesday afternoon shortly after he had been cleared by doctors. Before that he had spent all his time undergoing intensive rehabilitation.
Having Thornton back is a big deal, according to his coaches and teammates. He recorded zero points, one rebound, an assist and a steal against the Volunteers. But coach Mark Fox insisted Thornton’s presence was felt in ways that don’t show up in a box score.
“I was really pleased with our defense and, I’ve got to tell you, the main reason was Marcus Thornton was back,” said Fox, who saw his team hold the Vols to 34 percent shooting and 10.5 percent from 3-point range. “He made a huge impact for us defensively. He gave us an element we’ve been missing since he’s been out.”
Thornton never has been much of a scorer for the Bulldogs. Some have viewed the former “Mr. Georgia Basketball” as a disappointment because of his 2.2 points per game career scoring average.
But Fox said Thornton’s numbers on offense have to be placed in context. Thornton missed the fall of his freshman season with mononucleosis and then he had to play behind All-SEC forward Trey Thompkins. This fall he was dogged with knee issues that eventually led to surgery in late December.
Meanwhile, Thornton contributes so much on defense that he isn’t looked upon to score.
“I think my role as a player is to do whatever I can to help the team, which right now is mainly defense and rebounding and other things, too,” Thornton said. “I try to focus on the intangible side of it and try to help in whatever way possible. I just try to focus on what I do well right now. I’m just glad I can help and make an impact.”
None of which is to say Thornton is incapable of being a force on offense for the Bulldogs. He averaged 25.6 points and 12.5 rebounds as a senior at Westlake High.
Fox believes it’s just a matter of time. “I think when he gets healthy and he has time to get comfortable, I think you’ll see his offensive production really go up,” he said.
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