Georgia Sports Blog

NBA Finals

2013-06-19T09:15:00.002-04:00

I don't follow the NBA much. I just don't get excited about pro basketball for a lot of reasons. However, because I am a sucker for pop-culture references, and I generally care about the larger world of
sports, I am paying a bit of attention to the Finals.

Last night I watched Game 6 with some very knowledgeable and devoted NBA fans. I now get the NBA. For too long, I have tried to view the NBA as the next level of college basketball, much like I do with the NFL, and to a lesser extend MLB.

I've been doing it wrong. So here is my theory:

NBA:WWE

Actually, it is more like WCW, but with a bit more amorphous idea of who is a heel. That is the only way I can view this game from now on. And it actually makes watching the NBA more fun. There might be more pure athleticism, a bit less showmanship, and less scripting in the NBA, but it is more entertainment than sport.

Now, if they will get Tony Schivane to be the lead announcer and move all the matches to Monday night....

A boy can dream, right?

TD

Wes Durham has other fish to fry

2013-06-19T00:30:00.000-04:00

Although he was Tech's play by play man, he wasn't unbearable. Actually, he was quite good. Now he's going to Fox Sports to do play by play on their College Football Package.

Here's wishing Wes the best of luck.
TD

Vandy for SEC East!

2013-06-18T11:30:00.000-04:00

Image: Stacey Revere/Getty Images

At least one Bleacher Report writer thinks so. In his (I'm sure well researched and reasoned) 26 slide artipresentacle, Alex Callos shows off some serious Vandy wood.

First out of the gate, he has Vandy beating South Carolina. Callos thinks "Vanderbilt proved last season that it could hang with the big boys" and cites them winning 9 games last year. And Jordan Mathews! Of course, the combined record of those 9 teams was 35-63 (not counting the Presbyterian win). Their marquee win? A toss up between 7-6 Mississippi and 7-6 ~~NOTORIOUS TOB~~ NC State in the Music City Bowl. OH MY GOD THEY WON A BOWL GAME, TOO?

Moving along to Vanderbilt over Florida:

The 2013 version of this game might be lower scoring than the 2012 contest, and the talented Florida secondary will have to try to find a way to stop Vanderbilt wide receiver Jordan Mathews.

I'm starting to see a theme.

Then, we get to Vandy over Georgia. Because "The Commodores have the defense and coaching to hang around with anybody." Did you know they had the "15th ranked defense in the country last year, only allowing 18.7 ppg?" Apparently, they were. And they are returning over half their defensive starters! And they gave up only 33.8 ppg to teams with winning records last season!

Couple of other gems, he has Toledo over Florida, Tech over Georgia, Vanderbilt over Texas A&M, Kentucky over Louisville, Arkansas over South Carolina, Syracuse over Florida State, and Vanderbilt over the '85 Chicago Bears.

Hey, even a blind hog will find an acorn, right?
TD

Football ticket score cutoffs announced

2013-06-18T10:18:00.000-04:00

Season tickets:
Anyone who contributed $250 and ordered renewable season tickets get them. Some non-renewable orders will be filled.

Single Game:
All North Texas and Kentucky single games orders are fullfilled. LSU, Missouri, and App State will be determined by July 31.

Away Games:
Auburn and Tennssee orders are filled. Clemson, Vandy, and Georgia Tech will be determined by July 31.

Florida tickets will be determined by July 31.

All Faculty Staff orders recieved by 5/30 are filled.

~~Even with UT and Auburn down, I'm shocked all orders have been filled. Four seasons ago, the UT cutoff was over 20000 points.~~
Nevermind, I'm an idiot:

Away Game Tickets

2013 Hartman Fund Contribution	Clemson/ Georgia Tech	Tennessee	Vanderbilt	Auburn
$10,000	6	6	8	6
$5,000 - $9,999	4	4	6	4
$3,000 - $4,999	4	4	4	4
$500 - $2,999	4	4	4	4
$100 - $499	2	2	2	2
Total priority points necessary to be eligible to order	30,000	15,000	100	20,000

The full release here.

Phil Steele thinks Vandy and Northwestern could win it all!

2013-06-18T09:59:00.001-04:00

Interesting little exercise he pulled off:

The Final 14 Teams Who Fit the
National Championship Mold in 2013

Alabama	Notre Dame
Florida	Ohio St
Florida St	Oregon
LSU	South Carolina
Michigan	Stanford
North Carolina	Texas A&M
Northwestern	Vanderbilt

Of course, among his teams in 2012 that he had on this list included Michigan State, Nebraska, and Texas. Last year's list didn't include Notre Dame, though. Check out his methodology. Steele is a sage, but this particular statistical anlysis only looks at raw stats from last season without considering the level of competition those stats came against (this is foreshadowing for a post soon to follow, by the way).

WSJ: Hotel rates rise on game weekends in the SEC

2013-06-18T01:30:00.000-04:00

In other news, the sun came up today.

There is nothing too earth shattering here, but they did note that the average SEC fan stays in town longer than the average Big 12 fan did.

Just eyeballing this, it isn't hard to see the teams that did well in 2012, Auburn excepted. The article noted how small the bump is for Vandy, but of all the schools on the list, Vandy has the largest number of hotel rooms with the smallest stadium in the conference. Metro Nashville has approximately 36,000 hotel rooms. Vanderbilt stadium holds just a little over 10000* so that isn't hard math. I'd venture Lexington is second in the conference for number of rooms, what with the all the horse stuff going on there.

And who wants to stay in Columbia, South Carolina?

Pretty interesting chart when you start thinking about road trips. They even hit on those fans that just head to games for the tailgates.

TD

*I might have rounded down

Excellent read on how 'student-athlete' entered our lexicon

2013-06-17T21:16:00.003-04:00

C.J. Schexnayder does a great job of laying out the history of how the term came to be and how the two tragedies framed the terms of our current discussion of amateurism in collegiate athletics.

TD

Georgia should finish 10th in the Learfield Sports Director's Cup

2013-06-17T20:28:00.002-04:00

With baseball to go, Georgia is 9th in the Learfield Sports Directors Cup, which isn't some sort of Quinton Tarantino genitalia protective device as suggested by The Wife. UNC, with a considerably better baseball program than Georgia, is lurking in 10th. I'm no math genius, but making the College World Series should be worth more than the 14.42 points that Georgia is currently leading the Tarheels by.

[INSERT T. KYLE KING INSPIRED RANT ABOUT UNC HERE]

[DIGRESS IN ABOUT 150 WORDS AFTER SAID 1250 WORD RANT]

That should put UNC at 9th and Georgia at 10th when the final standings are released. As the ABH noted, this is a significant improvement over the high teens/20th place Georgia has been lurking around since Damon Evan's time as AD.

Stanford has already sewn up the top spot, as they sponsor approximately 100 sports. The SEC has three of the top ten with Florida (2nd) and Texas A&M (6th) joining Georgia. No other conference has more than two in the top ten.

Of course, going any higher in the standings has costs associated with that.

TD

Mark Stoops has to teach fundamentals, like not falling down

2013-06-16T14:59:00.000-04:00

For Kentucky to be relevant again.

Moving along...

TD

Georgia's Conference Record since 2006

2013-06-13T00:30:00.000-04:00

I have to ask: Where are all the people who were clamoring for Coach Richt's head by quoting Florida fanesque stats such as Georgia ain't beat an SEC team with a winning November record since 2006?

Since I'm bored, I took a look at Georgia's record since the last SEC title and here is where we are against the conference (records include SECCG results):

SEC West	Conf. Record	Vs. UGA
Alabama	44-16	2-1
Arkansas	30-27	1-1
Auburn	29-28	1-6
LSU	42-17	2-1
Mississippi	15-41	0-4
MSU	20-36	1-2
Texas A&M	6-2	0-1*

* I counted the Independence Bowl from 2009

Looks fairly normal, considering the SEC West has five national championships in those seven seasons and LSU lost the national championship game after beating Georgia in the SEC championship game. Of the seven wins the West has over Georgia, three came from teams that won or competed for the National Championship (Alabama, LSU and Auburn).

Georgia is still 16-7 against the West in that time.

SEC East	Conf. Record	Vs. UGA
Florida	43-16	4-3
Kentucky	16-40	2-5
Missouri	2-6	0-1
South Carolina	30-27	4-3
Tennessee	23-34	3-4
Vandy	15-41	1-6

Now, if you want trends, Georgia going 6-8 against Florida and South Carolina is a concern, although two of those years, Florida won the national championship and in a third year, their only loss was in the SEC Championship to National Champion Alabama. The 3-4 against South Carolina, well....that sucks.

Georgia is 22-14 against the East in this time period.

Georgia was 37-21 in the conference during this time span, 4th behind 'Bama, Florida, and LSU, not counting Texas A&M's 6-2. Against teams with winning conference records, Georgia is 15-14. By comparison, Alabama is 19-12, LSU is 22-14, and Florida is 16-13. These are the only schools above .500 against the teams with winning records in the conference. South Carolina is 9-21 against teams with winning conference records, with four of those wins coming against Georgia.

Don't really know what it all adds up to, but it is interesting to see where we stand vis a vis the rest of the conference.
TD

Chubb selects UGA

2013-06-12T09:45:00.003-04:00

I don't do much with recruiting, especially in June, since it feels a lot like counting chickens and all that. However, one thing I've noticed, as have others, is that Georgia's pace is behind last year. Of course, last year was the famous 35 spot class, so we had room. One other thing is that we famously missed on all the big name running backs we targeted (I know we didn't really, but I'm not one to get in the way of a meme). Now Nick Chubb has announced he is coming to UGA.

Carvell's article has a couple of great quotes in it. My favorite is Rusty Mansell's gem "Nick Chubb is a finisher; this kid will run slap over you." He seems to compliment Sony Michael quite well.

One other thing that is standing out in June recruiting. We only have 10-12 scholarships to award, absent folks leaving for the NFL early and other attrition. Meaning we'll end up with 18 or so spots in February 14. We currently have 8 or so commitments. Based on what I am seeing, I'd think we're targeting the best available athletes and not worrying about positions, although I'd be surprised if we don't look hard at finding one more LB, which means a big push on Raekwon McMillan.

All of this comes with the caveat that it is only June, it being a long way until NSD, and shit going down on the way to the jetties.

TD

UGA APR

2013-06-11T17:27:00.001-04:00

With perfect scores of 1,000, the UGA men's golf, women's gymnastics, and women's swimming and diving teams were tops in the SEC. The Bulldog men's basketball team, with a score of 990, was second best in the SEC while men's swimming and diving (985) and men's indoor track and field (971), were third best in the league. Georgia's football (968), women's indoor track and field (994), and women's outdoor track and field (994) teams were fourth best in the SEC. Two Bulldog teams finished fifth best in the SEC: men's outdoor track and field (966) and women's cross country (995).

Significant improvement in basketball (up from 960). Continued excellence in football. Eight sports recorded their highest scores ever: baseball, men's basketball, men's cross country, men's swimming and diving, women's golf, women's swimming and diving, women's indoor track and field, and women's outdoor track and field. Outstanding work.

TD

2013 Charles Johnson Foundation Family Night

2013-06-11T10:51:00.000-04:00

Charles Johnson is one of the good guys. He is a huge supporter of his hometown of Hawkinsville, and has spent a lot of time, money, and effort to give back to his community and Middle Georgia. The Carolina Panther and former Georgia Bulldog founded the Charles Johnson Foundation last year providing opportunities for under-served youth to reach their full potential through athletic, recreational, and educational programs and initiatives; and providing support for single African American mothers through proven programs and initiatives. The Foundation also offers academic scholarships to Hawkinsville High School seniors, enabling them to pursue higher education.

This year, he is hosting the second annual Charles Johnson Foundation Sports Academy and Family Night on June 21-22 in Hawkinsville. The Sports Academy and Family Night includes a youth sports camp and a family event. It is open to kids located in Middle Georgia in grades 1- 12.

There will be multiple NFL and NBA players in attendance, all with ties to Georgia. Former Dawgs joining Johnson include:

Fernando Velasco (Wrens, GA, UGA) – Tennessee Titans
Justin Houston (Statesboro, GA, UGA) – Kansas City Chiefs
Jarius Wynn (Augusta, GA, UGA) – San Diego Chargers
Thomas Davis (Shellman, GA, UGA) – Carolina Panthers
Corvey Irvin (Augusta, GA, UGA) – Tampa Bay Bucs
Akeem Dent (Atlanta, GA, UGA) – Atlanta Falcons

The camp includes football, basketball, cheer leading, and dance camps, and wraps up with a Middle Georgia Family Night which includes autograph sessions with the athletes involved. For more information regarding the Charles Johnson Foundation and to register for the Sports Academy & Family Night please visit http://charlesjohnsonfoundation.org.
TD

Phil Steel sees Dawgs winning East

2013-06-10T16:02:00.000-04:00

He's usually pretty good at this. He has South Carolina at 13 and Florida at 18. He has Texas A&M at 12 and LSU at 17. No Alabama yet, but he hasn't gotten to the ~~NFL~~ ~~World~~ Galaxy yet.

Couple of good tidbits: First, he mentions how much more effective Georgia's defense was at making teams earn points last year. Second, he's unsure about the offensive line, but thinks they have the potential to be one of the best in the country. Third, Georgia's special teams actually improved last year over '11, and he expects that to continue.

Overall, it isn't a terrible write up or ranking considering the caveats and uncertainty on defense.

TD

On Towers' denial

2013-06-10T09:25:00.001-04:00

I like Chip Towers. For the record, I don't think he is out to get UGA. He is in a tough position, due to the pressure on him to generate hits for his employer's website, so I could triffle a bit about the wording of his headers, but I assume part of that is driven more by editors than Chip.

Is his article professing not to have anything out for athletes or UGA weird? Yes, and I think he is better than that. He rightfully pointed out that Georgia law requires a jail visit for driving without a license. He used appropriate qualifying language about the minor nature of the tickets. It was a very balanced article.

And before you we get all but the AJC doesn't cover Georgia Tech or other schools like this, that is more on the reporters covering those schools than Chip (or the AJC for that matter). There are two things that generate hits in the Atlanta market: Negative pub on Georgia and positive pub on Alabama. Chip, like others in his position, are in a tough place due to this. Because their editors really know it.

His article was just a weird thing to write, IMHO.

TD

See Also:
-Advice to the new kids on the block (Blutarsky)
For an alternative view:
-Chip Towers is full of crap (The Grit Tree)

Harris English wins St. Jude on PGA Tour

2013-06-09T17:59:00.000-04:00

Wow. Big day for Harris English. Georgia golf got a couple of shout outs today, too. He had a couple of great shots on 17 after Mickleson hit a pretty good approach and put pressure on him.

Congrats to a Damn Good Dawg.

TD

After 29 years, the B1.5G sends a team to Omaha

2013-06-09T16:55:00.000-04:00

Finally the Delany rule has paid off for the B1.5G. That only took five years. Gotta give Indiana credit, though. They went to a tough place to play and ~~took 2 of 3~~ swept FSU in Tallahassee.

Georgia Tech safety swag

2013-06-09T06:30:00.000-04:00

Because it is still a looonngggg way until football season.

Harris English Leads St. Jude Classic

2013-06-08T13:28:00.003-04:00

Go Harris. Damn Good Dawg.

The Purge is happening: Bobo lands on EDSBS Enemies list

2013-06-08T08:52:00.001-04:00

Nothing more can be accomplished. Not only is Bobo the most hated man in Athens, he's on the Enemies list of the most Florida Gator of them all.

~~Now is when I wish I had photoshops of Bobo as Face from the A-Team shooting up stuff.~~

(courtesy of @citizencrane)

Diamond Dawgs Drafted (through Round 10)

2013-06-08T08:32:00.001-04:00

Clint Frazier (signee) - Drafted in first round, fifth overall, by the Indians. The closest he'll get to playing for Georgia will be a future exhibition when the Braves get him in a trade and he plays against the Dawgs.

Kyle Farmer - Drafted in the eighth round, 244th overall, by the Dodgers. As a catcher.

I'd expect Powell to go soon, but he is still on the board. I'll have other updates later, as the MLB draft is nearly as long as the NBA post-season. Actually it is *only* 40 rounds.

Early Georgia Lines

2013-06-06T04:00:00.000-04:00

Golden Nugget will offer lines on 250 'Games of the Year' on Friday. Today they dropped a few teaser lines. Not surprising at all, eight of the ten feature SEC games, with six being conference games.

From the Golden Nugget:
Aug. 31 (in Atlanta)
Alabama -17 vs. Virginia Tech

Sept. 14
Alabama -6 at Texas A&M

Sept. 28
LSU at Georgia -6

Sept. 28
Wisconsin at Ohio St -11

Oct. 12
Florida at LSU -4

Nov. 2 (Jacksonville)
Florida vs. Georgia -4

Nov. 9
LSU at Alabama -11.5

Nov. 23
Texas A&M at LSU -1

Nov. 30
Florida St. at Florida -2

Nov. 30
Ohio St. -6 at Michigan

The Nugget will also release lines on the other games, including the Clemson, South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, Vandy, Auburn, Kentucky, Tech games.

Any chance Georgia is a dog in any of those games?

Stricklin contract details; Perno calls him

2013-06-05T21:23:00.000-04:00

$575,000 per year for six years. That $125,000 more than Perno.

Speaking of, Perno gave him a call:

“I don’t know if I’ve ever had a conversation that when I hung up, I was so touched by how gracious he was,” Stricklin said. “It’s a difficult situation that he’s had to go through and I understand that. He called me. He reached out to me and wanted to let me know that he is a Georgia Bulldog for life. He supports this program and he supports us. That meant a lot to me personally.”

All class, David. All class.

TD

Alabama to reload; Georgia has question marks

2013-06-05T15:54:00.000-04:00

Not sure if you are following the narrative, but the sports information folks in the SEC think Alabama and Georgia will earn a re-match in the SEC Championship game. That is, of course, if Georgia's young defense can gel quickly.

No one is questioning Georgia or Alabama's offenses. Both are returning senior QBs, top tier running backs, and top receivers. ~~Both~~ Georgia is returning an experienced offensive line.

Wait, Alabama lost three All-American offensive linemen? Seriously? Can you imagine if Georgia were replacing three All-Americans on the offensive line? Instead we are returning 1000 starts or something. Taking nothing away from Alabama's play makers and trying not to make too much of Georgia's offense, I can't make sense of people dismissing that little fact when comparing the two teams.

As far as Alabama's defense goes, they lost their shutdown corner, their stud LB and their entire starting front line. They will have two new starters at corner back, with the possibility of having a recently converted WR in the mix as a possible starter/nickle CB. All this secondary overhaul on a team that wasn't all that great against teams that could pass the ball.

Even with those losses, Alabama is a clear pick to win the ~~SEC~~ ~~BCS National Championship~~ ~~World Cup~~ everything forever.

Ask yourself, if this were any other top tier team from last year (Georgia, Florida, Notre Dame, FSU, Ohio State, LSU, Louisville, South Carolina, Oregon, Stanford, Texas A&M, Clemson), would they be a presumptive and prohibitive favorite to just reload with no hiccups after losing five offensive and seven defensive starters, including four All-Americans? Even their early season schedule makes me wonder, facing Virginia Tech in Atlanta, then traveling to Texas A&M. Again, Georgia's schedule is tougher, but neither of those games are cakewalks.

I guess the upside is that people think Georgia should be in the discussion. I am still up in the air about how this season will go, but I am pretty shocked at how easily folks think Alabama will just be dominant, if for no other reason than "cause they always are."

TD

Limited number of football tix to go on sale tomorrow

2013-06-04T08:53:00.001-04:00

Heads up...limited amount of FB tix v N. Tx & UK and Single Season Tix will go on sale Wed 6/5 at 9a - save this link gado.gs/4a
— Georgia Bulldogs (@UGAAthletics) June 4, 2013

Nothing earth shattering. Just use the link in the Tweet above.

TD