2009-2010 Georgia Bulldogs Basketball Preview
Inconsistency has plagued the Georgia Bulldogs (12- 20 overall,
3- 13 SEC). In the last five seasons, they’ve won a total
of just 22 SEC contests and lost 58. Their best conference record
in that time is 8- 8. With various coaches attempting to rebuild
this program (they’ve gone through four since 1995), the
Bulldogs have faltered time and again. New head coach Mark Fox,
who comes from Nevada having notched 21-plus win seasons in each
of his five seasons with the Wolf Pack, could be the answer. If
he is given some time to fail and succeed.
The Bulldogs were dead last in scoring, averaging 64.9 PPG, and in field goal percentage, connecting on 41% of their shots. They were next-to-last in free throws, putting in just 64% of their attempts. Scoring defense was at 69.9 PPG (7th) and the team’s rebound margin was plus-0.8 (8th). They were average from downtown, knocking in 34% (6th) of their tries.
Sophomore forward Howard Thompkins (12.6 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 0.8 APG) is the centerpiece of the program’s rebuilding program. He proved to be a major asset last year and looks to be improved this season. But after Thompkins, the frontcourt is lean. The Bulldogs will look to Jeremy Price (5.1 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 0.9 APG) and senior Albert Jackson (4.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 0.4 APG) to step up. Although both have been inconsistent, at times they have made major contributions. Price needs to hit his shot with more frequency and Jackson, who is six-foot-eleven and 265 pounds, must use his wide and big body to dominate opponents in the paint.
The backcourt is very thin and will look to two freshmen, DeMario Mayfield and Vincent Williams, to fill it out. Neither is a top recruit but that doesn’t mean that they won’t get a chance to play. The starters will most likely be sophomores Dustin Ware (7.2 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 3.4 APG) and Travis Leslie (6.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 0.6 APG). Still, expect the new guys to get a chance to contribute.
Don’t expect an instant turnaround. But Fox, who was Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year three of five times, could be the right man at the right time for the right job. He’s come into this new position ready and willing to transform it into a contender. Right now, he has little with which to work. The Georgia Bulldogs will finish last in the SEC East and out of contention for the NCAA and NIT.
