2009-10 SEC Basketball Previews: Georgia

Kurt Wirth by Correspondent Written on October 14, 2009
NEW ORLEANS - MARCH 18:  Head coach Mark Fox of the Nevada Wolf Pack signals from the sidelines during the second half against the Memphis Tigers during in two of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at the New Orleans Arena on March 18, 2007 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Georgia is a football school. When you're a Georgia athlete, you want to play between the hedges...not in Stegeman Coliseum.

This is well-known. This is fact.

No surprise, then, that Georgia's men's basketball team isn't exactly the most successful in the league. In fact, it's perennially one of the least-respected and mediocre programs in the SEC.

Dennis Felton is the latest victim to this fact, as he was unable to revive the Bulldogs past a dream run through the 2008 SEC tournament as the East's six seed. Georgia, put simply, is a tough place to coach.

This is the situation former Nevada coach Mark Fox inherits. Little talent, no devotion to success, and no history on which to build.

And to be certain, 2009-10 doesn't appear to be a year to build upon. The Bulldogs lose two starters, including their top scorer, from a squad that went 12-20 overall and 3-13 in the league.

Terrance Woodbury was the team's main scoring threat, averaging a team-best 14 points per game. He led the team with 141 attempts from behind the arc despite a 33.1 percent mark from that distance.

Corey Butler also graduated, and was possibly the more talented of the two and certainly the more versatile.

With the head-coaching loss, a couple of reserves opted to transfer as well. Zac Swansey, who started 17 games last season, is gone after seeing limited success as a Bulldog. And Troy Brewer left after enduring several off-the-court issues that limited his playing time.

Filling those vacancies are a trifecta of three-stars, who need to step up quickly if Georgia even has hopes of finishing above .500 this season.

 

Marlon Brown
SF—Three stars (Rivals)—6'5", 205 lbs

Information on Brown is limited, but his size is substantial for his position and this could create some mismatches.

 

Vincent Williams
PG—Three stars (Rivals)—6'1", 150 lbs

Williams is a speedy ball-handler, but severely undersized. Decent upside.

 

DeMario Mayfield
SG—Three stars (Rivals)—6'3", 175 lbs

With his only offer from Georgia, his skills need improvement before he will see heavy floor-time.

 

Only one current Bulldog is more than an average role-player, as the Bulldogs suffer from a bare talent cupboard.

Trey Thompkins 

6'10", 247lb Sophomore PF
(12.6ppg - 7.4rpg - 38.4% 3PT - 31 blk)

Thompkins, in all seriousness, could be SEC Player of the Year someday. His pure talent at nearly every aspect of the game is nearly impeccable. His three-point mark included a respectable 86 shots attempted, so it's no fluke.

He's one of the most unfairly overlooked players in the league and has super potential, if only he could protect the ball a bit more. Will start.

 

Dustin Ware

5'11", 182lb Sophomore SG
(7.2ppg - 1.7rpg - 36.4% 3PT - 1.44 A/TO)

Ware is a surprisingly efficient sophomore who has a solid stroke from everywhere on the court. He handles the ball very well, especially for his age, and should be a staple for the Bulldogs this season. Will start.

 

Travis Leslie 

6'4", 202lb Sophomore SF
(6.3ppg - 3.9rpg - 21 stl - 44.7% FG)

Leslie, who started four games a year ago, is merely a sub-par roleplayer on a sub-par team. He doesn't specialize in any one area, has a poor shot and turns the ball over prolifically. He does, however, defend fairly well. May start.

 

Jeremy Price 

6'8", 264lb Junior PF
(5.1ppg - 2.9rpg - 10 starts - 25 ast)

Obviously, Price is a big guy and big guys don't like to hold onto the ball typically. Such is the case for Price. He also doesn't perform well either offensively nor defensively. Another body to have on the court. May start.

 

Single Page
Vote Now! - Author Poll

How many wins does Georgia record this season?

  • <5
  • 5-7
  • 8-10
  • 11-14
  • 15-18
  • 19-22
  • 23+
vote to see results
Results - Author Poll

How many wins does Georgia record this season?

  • <5

    2.5%
  • 5-7

    2.5%
  • 8-10

    7.5%
  • 11-14

    50.0%
  • 15-18

    30.0%
  • 19-22

    5.0%
  • 23+

    2.5%
  • Total votes: 40
(1)
...
Share This  
Crop_45x45
or to post this comment

4 Comments

There are no comments yet. Get the conversation started by leaving the first comment

Loading more comments...
posted just now
  • Loading...
  • Nobody has liked this comment yet
Cancel

This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete

191
reads

4
comments

written on October 14, 2009 Preview/Prediction

The best newsletter on the web

Subscribe Now

We will never share your email address