There was one silver lining to Georgia’s Marcus Thornton being out for Saturday’s game against South Carolina with a concussion. Billy Thornton got the rare opportunity to have a father-son day watching basketball with his boy.
Well, at least it seemed like a good idea at first.
“It was hard to watch,” Billy Thornton said on Sunday. “It was particularly hard for him because he’s supposed to be resting at the same time. In hindsight, it might have been better if he hadn’t watched.”
Marcus Thornton found himself squirming in the couch and yelling at the television as the Bulldogs’ turned in their worst performance of the year. With its leading scorer and rebounder (Thornton) out of the lineup due to concussion suffered this past, Georgia’s offense went into the tank.
The Bulldogs shot 22 percent from the field and lost 67-50. Freshman Yante Maten started in Thornton’s place and fouled out in just 18 minutes of play with 3 points and 6 rebounds. The four players that manned Thornton’s position on Saturday combined for 6 points and 11 rebounds. Thornton averages 13.5 and 7.3 himself.
“It’s amazing how missing one player can change things,” Billy Thornton said. One of the components of their offense is setting screens up top with somebody who can score in the post. (Not having it) seemed to be a big factor in the game.”
Now the question is whether the Thorntons will be watching the Bulldogs’ game against No. 1 Kentucky together again or rather Thornton will be able make the trip to Rupp Arena in Lexington.
“I just don’t know,” Billy Thornton said. “It’s day-by-day. I just don’t have a good sense about it. It wouldn’t surprise if he wasn’t available for that game; it wouldn’t surprise me at all. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
About the Author
