2008 Georgia Bulldogs Basketball Preview

Last season, the Bulldogs of Georgia (17-17 overall, 4-12 SEC) managed to win the SEC Tournament by reeling off four victories in a round. That earned them a NCAA Tournament berth where they lost to Xavier in the first round by a score of 73-61. It was quite a run, and now that its done and gone, reality has set in for this team that in 2007-2008 finished last in the SEC East.

Junior forward/center Albert Jackson (18.5 MPG, 3.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 0.5 APG, 44.0 FG%, 51.7 FT%) stands six-foot-ten and weighs 260 pounds. Although he should be able to control the boards, Jackson has been unable to assert himself. If he can get it together this season, the frontcourt will stabilize. Forward Jeremy Price (21.6 MPG, 8.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 0.7 APG, 53.1 FG%, 72.5 FT%) could be a real force if he can step it up this season. Freshman forward Trey Thompkins, who is considered to be a natural scorer, was a scoring machine in high school.

The question for the Bulldogs is how do they replace the output of guard Sundiata Gaines and his 14.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 4.2 APG? The other question is how do they replace his leadership? Sophomore Zac Swansey (16.3 MPG, 3.9 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 1.6 APG, 39.6 FG%, 58.8 FT%) was Gaines’ backup but doesn’t seem able to do any of the stuff the star player could do. Freshman Dustin Ware looks promising as the club’s new point man. Guard/forward Terrance Woodbury (28.2 MPG, 11.0 PPg, 4.1 RPG, 1.4 APG, 40.6 FG%, 75.0 FG%) is a solid point scorer on wing.

Coach Dennis Felton, who’s in his sixth year, has hopes that the Bulldogs have turned it around and will finish in the upper half of their division. Last year marked their first NCAA Tournament appearance since Felton took over. Despite the club’s remarkable SEC Tournament performance, last place looks to be in this team’s future and another tournament run like the sports world witnessed in 2007-2008 is highly unlikely. A 4-12 conference record looks likely, and Georgia will most likely welcome a new coach next season.