Georgia Bulldogs Basketball

The SEC tournament begins in less than a week, and while Kentucky and Arkansas are predicted to dominate the competition, the team to watch out for is the Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia has the talent and discipline to make a run for the tournament title.

Need proof? Check the Bulldogs' latest game. They took on top-ranked Kentucky and competed for the majority of the game before falling short in the end, 72-64. If the Bulldogs can hang with a team like Kentucky, then they should be a feared opponent in the SEC tournament.

Why Georgia?

Georgia is so tough to play against because they are well coached by Mark Fox, who has taken an average team and formed them into an efficient machine that churns out rebounds and wins. At 19-10, the Bulldogs have ended up with a record much better than expected.

Fox has brought out the best of his players and has led them to be consistent and efficient from top to bottom.

The statistics above from ESPN.com show how efficient and consistent Georgia has been. Four of the starters for Georgia score at least 11 points per game on average, and four players average at least four rebounds per game.

The strongest part of the Bulldogs' game is their ability to get rebounds on both sides of the court. They average a total of 38.3 rebounds a game, which is 21st in the NCAA, according to ESPN.com. 

The Bulldogs even got more boards than Willie Cauley-Stein and Kentucky in their loss to the Wildcats, grabbing 41 rebounds to Kentucky's 38. Georgia will out-rebound anyone they face in Nashville, and that will be a big part of their possible success.

The standout player for Georgia in both rebounding and scoring has been senior Marcus Thornton. The forward leads the team in points and rebounds, and he has been a leader for Georgia this entire season. 

Other key players are guards Kenny Gaines and Charles Mann, who run the backcourt for the Bulldogs. Mann is an all-around role player with solid defensive ability, and Gaines is one of Georgia's best outside shooters and brings a unique dynamic to the team's gritty, efficient play.

However, this Georgia team is not about one single player, or even a couple of players. They have depth in players like J.J. Frazier and Yante Maten on the bench who can continue to hurt teams. There is never an easy minute against the Bulldogs.

Tournament Outlook

Currently sitting in sixth in the SEC, Georgia will most likely play the winner of the second first-round game. The bottom half of the SEC is awful at the moment, and Georgia should have no problem winning its first game. 

If the Bulldogs win, they will go on to face either Ole Miss or Texas A&M, depending on the finishes to each of their seasons. Georgia played Ole Miss twice and A&M once during the regular season and won all three games. 

If the Bulldogs can beat the teams that they should, they'll coast into the semifinals of the SEC tournament to get their chance at glory. Arkansas and Kentucky will most likely be waiting for them, and that is where the real challenge will begin. 

Georgia lost to Arkansas on January 6, 79-75, but it was one of their better performances of January. They've lost to Kentucky twice, but both games were spirited performances that could have gone the Bulldogs' way if they had been able to finish late.

However, the Bulldogs don't have to win the tournament to continue their season. A decent performance and a run to the finals, or even the semifinals, would most likely get the Bulldogs into the NCAA tournament, and a chance to dance is all a team can ask for.

(However, if they make it to the Big Dance, they'll need to continue printing those educational pamphlets on how to be a basketball fan.)

SEC basketball continued its annual rendition of 300 on Tuesday night, with Georgia becoming the latest wave of Xerxes' cannon fodder to crash against Kentucky's front line only to be turned back and hurled into the sea.

This is the way of SEC hoops—the hope that numbers and probability's cruel math will slowly, eventually, grind down Calipari's blue chippers and find a notch in the Wildcats' shield wall.

So far, Kentucky is battered but unbowed. The Wildcats are 30-0 on the season, and opponents and their fanbases are scrambling for any possible advantage that could lead to the Wildcats' first loss of the season.

This brings us to a pamphlet distributed to Georgia students prior to Tuesday night's game.

ESPN 680 radio host Mark Ennis spotted the pamphlet, which, like other leaflets handed out before basketball games, contains cheering and taunting instructions for the student section. Unlike other handouts, however, it's essentially a rundown of the ABCs of attending college basketball games.

Everyone got all that? Are we clear on the distracting when the other team shoots free throws? Remember: It's an "airball" when the shot doesn't hit the rim. So we're clear, that's for the other team's shots.

In fairness to Georgia, it is a football school, and like most SEC schools not located in Lexington, the majority of students treat any success the basketball team might have like an extra fry at the bottom of the bag. Oooh! We beat West Virginia! I might buy stamps today!

Again, this is fine. And good for the Georgia students who want to bring their football-loving peers into the fold and educate them in the ways of the hardwood. That's how you grow the program and mold the Mongol hordes throwing themselves onto Kentucky's sharpened spears every year into legitimate contenders backed by a passionate support base.

With sustained effort and interest, the SEC can become a basketball conference. You can overthrow your white and blue overlords. You can topple the lone highlander on top of the hill.

You've just got to want it—and know how the right-left chant works. That's important too.

Dan is on Twitter, watching Kentucky build a wall around the rim with its opponents' bodies.

Top recruits Shabazz Muhammad and Nerlens Noel made headlines yesterday when they committed to UCLA and Kentucky respectively.

The two potential superstars joined long, storied lineages at two of the most historic programs in the entire country.

They're also part of two of the best recruiting classes in the entire country.

6' 9", 250-pound forward/center Tony Parker could very well join Shabazz or Noel—he has offers from both the Bruins and the Wildcats.

He also holds offers from UConn, Duke, Georgetown, Kansas, Memphis, Ohio State and Georgia.

Parker doesn't just have the option to join the Wildcat and Bruin lineage, but he could essentially join any number of major program he wants...or Georgia.

As Michael Carvell of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution puts it:

Tony feels extra comfortable at UGA because two of his high school teammates will be playing for the Bulldogs next year—they were ultra-successful at Miller Grove, so why not in college? ... UGA is close to home, allowing his legion of Miller Grove fans to attend his games. Tony would be  “just another great player” at the other schools, while he could be the face of the program for decades, like Dominique Wilkins.

Sometimes being the player is more attractive than being just another player and Georgia is the only school that offers Parker this option.

The Scout five-star, Rivals four-star runs the risk of getting lost in the shuffle should he go to a school like Kentucky, Duke, Kansas or UCLA. The Bulldogs, though, would cherish his presence.

For a kid who has struggled staying in shape from time to time, being lost in the shuffle is the worst thing possible.

The longer Parker waits, the better chance the Bulldogs have of convincing him to stay close to home.

His fans, his family and his teammates are all there already, and soon enough his future could be too.

Even with so many big names involved in his recruitment, don't be shocked if Tony Parker picks Georgia when all is said and done.

Yes, there is a new Tony Parker in the basketball world, and no, we don't know where the 6'9", 280-pound big man intends to play next year. He's kept it shrouded in mystery, really.

Seriously, if you thought LeBron James' "The Decision" was annoying, you clearly haven't experienced the circus that is college basketball and football recruiting.

But Parker should keep it simple, stay close to home and head to the Georgia Bulldogs.

That may not convince you (especially if you are a Duke, Kansas, UCLA, Memphis, Georgetown or Ohio State fan, the other schools he's considering), but perhaps Michael Carvell of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution can.

Tony feels extra comfortable at UGA because two of his high school teammates will be playing for the Bulldogs next year – they were ultra-successful at Miller Grove, so why not in college? Parker likes Mark Fox’s track record of putting guys in the NBA and pointed out to us that Fox was ranked No. 1 in player development by TheRealGM.com. Tony loves Fox’s triangle offense and how it uses big men.

UGA is close to home, allowing his legion of Miller Grove fans to attend his games. Tony would be  “just another great player” at the other schools, while he could be the face of the program for decades, like Dominique Wilkins. Perhaps, most importantly, his mother favors UGA.

Sounds good to me. Of course, the appeal of attending some of the bigger names on his list of potential schools may be too much for him to resist. And though he may think he can lead Georgia to a national title, the stark reality remains that he'd probably have a better chance to do so elsewhere.

We probably won't know where he's going tonight—it's unlikely he'll be announcing that decision just yet. Maybe he's holding out for Jim Gray, who knows?

But if he's willing to take a chance on the Bulldogs, if he's willing to make the unorthodox move, Georgia feels like the best fit.

I know they certainly agree down in Athens.

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets are growing a playoff beard.

For the first time in quite a long time, the Georgia Bulldogs are competing with the big boys of college basketball.

Right now, you can’t confuse Georgia basketball with the Kentuckys of the world, but the Bulldogs are in competition with the Wildcats, along with UCLA, Georgetown, Duke, Ohio State and Memphis for the services of 6'9" center Tony Parker, according to Rivals.com.

Parker ranks 26th overall on the ESPNU 100 and is the exact player the Bulldogs need in order to help turn the program around.

It’s a tough battle for Georgia, considering that Parker has three options. He can replace an All-American at a school like Kansas or Ohio State. He can go to a program rich in tradition like UCLA, Georgetown or Kentucky.

Or Parker can stay home and sign with the Bulldogs and help build something of his own.

In the short time that he’s been on the job, Georgia head coach Mark Fox has made the Bulldogs a tough team to play against. They are aggressive and smart at both ends of the floor, but they need something to build around.

Georgia needs a big-time inside presence that can score, rebound and defend. Parker is that guy.

Fox's first McDonald's All-American was shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope—now, he’s turned his attention to Parker.

Winning Parker is a must for Fox.

It signals that Georgia is intent on becoming a national contender and is trying to do it with in-state players. By signing Parker, it goes a long way in showing other elite players in the state that the Bulldogs are a program headed in a positive direction.

Parker has the combination of size and skill. He takes up space in the paint and has an array of post moves to go to. He can also face up from 15 feet.

Quite simply, he’s one of the elite big men in this year’s class.

Not only is Parker a good fit for the Bulldogs, but Georgia is a good fit for Parker as well. It’s his hometown team, and he can step in and make an impact right away. He can be the reason why Georgia basketball becomes relevant on the national stage once again.

For that to happen though, the Bulldogs not only need to compete with the big boys, but they need to beat them.

Landing a player with the talent of Parker will have them heading in the right direction, sooner rather than later.

The first round the of the 2011 NCAA Tournament has been spectacular to watch, but what should you expect from Friday night's Washington vs. Georgia game? 

Each team has their own star players in Isaiah Thomas Jr. (Washington) and Trey Thompkins (Georgia).

Thompkins and Thomas both lead their teams in scoring, but this match up is more defense-oriented. Washington averages 83.5 points per game as a team, and only gives up 70. For Georgia, they only score 70 points a night, and give up 64.

While the Bulldogs were worried about making the tournament after losing in the first round of the SEC Tournament against Alabama, Washington won their conference tournament on the back of Isaiah Thomas, he hit a step-back jumper at the buzzer against Arizona to win the game.

Both teams played in surprisingly tough conferences this year, and will be serious threats to knock off likely opponent North Carolina in the next round. 

The big play potential in this game is immense because Georgia has forward Travis Leslie, who can fly to the rim. Georgia will have to use its athleticism well in this game, because they only beat one ranked opponent in the regular season (Kentucky).

As for Washington, its offense revolves around the back court, but as a team, the Huskies finished 25th in field goal percentage, and in the top 12 in points, rebounds, and assists per game. This team can score at will, and will challenge the Georgia guards. In addition, both forwards for Washington average 10+ points a night.

Washington beat Arizona twice in the regular season.

The "dog fight" between the Huskies and Bulldogs should be great, simply because there is potential NBA talent on the floor for both teams. Expect the game to be extremely close, with both teams operating their offenses differently.

Isaiah Thomas Jr. and Trey Thompkins will steal the show.

Even with lots of action remaining today, it’s not too early to look ahead to tomorrow’s 2011 NCAA tournament action. One of the closest matchups looks to be the battle between the No. 7 seed Washington Huskies and the No. 10 seed Georgia Bulldogs.

Both teams will need big games out of their stars in the post, Georgia’s Trey Thompkins and Washington’s Matthew Bryan-Amaning. Thompkins is the more athletic of the two, and the Bulldogs would love to get out in transition where he and Travis Leslie can break out their highlight-reel dunks.

Washington has experience playing zone, which may prove to be their best option to corral Georgia’s high flyers on offense. A zone would also help protect the Huskies’ under-sized guards.

Washington backup guard Venoy Overton, one of the country’s most tenacious man-on-man defenders, returns from suspension for this game. He’ll give the Huskies a valuable option to contain Georgia’s perimeter attack.

On the other end, Georgia has plenty of experience defending an attacking point guard, having faced off twice with Kentucky’s Brandon Knight and held him in check both times.

The Huskies’ Isaiah Thomas has more experience than Knight , but is appreciably smaller and not as dangerous from long range. He’ll have a tough task in breaking down the Bulldogs.

Washington will need to get big games out of supporting wing players like Justin Holiday if they want their offense to click consistently.

With both sides having good answers to each other’s stars, this game is likely to come down to one or two possessions at the end. In that situation in the NCAA tournament, the team with the better guard play usually comes out ahead.

The Huskies will take it in a nail-biter.