On watching the tape, JH notes we're 13-6 but could be even better if we
made a play here or there. But MSU and
Tennessee can think they were a play
away from making those plays against us. When Jarvis got hurt, you don't
just snap back but have to build back up. Wright also seems hurt - bad wrist.
Last year, we were able to contain Haslem but this year had trouble with David
Lee. JH rattled off teams that have two solid interior players. Size is much
more of a factor in the league this year as compared to last.
We were going in as the hunter last year, but this year we've come in as
a ranked team and teams are taking shots at us. Teams seems to be playing really
well against us. Our defense has also suffered the last couple of weeks. Daniels
played great yesterday - almost had a triple double, Wilkins played well and
Jonas Hayes played well. But we need to get that effort from everybody. JH will
be talking to the team; we had everyone playing on a high level earlier and
need to get back to that. This bunch has a heart of gold and has never quit
on him. We're not in the throes of destruction, but the problem is that
no one else seems to be able to beat
Florida or
Kentucky right now.
This UK team is basically the same bunch we played last year, except for Tayshaun
Prince.
Scott apologized to Al from Knoxville for not being able to help .. maybe the
loss was because Scott's wife made the trip. (Al wasn't going for
that.) JUCO signees - Marquis Jackson - kinda like Thomas, good defender
& rebounder. Mathias (sp?) - needs a bit more development. This
class doesn't have to help much next year .. though Akubar and one or two
other guys might. If Jarvis comes back, we'll have six seniors next year
and could make some noise.
Tommy from Lexington, KY - what is his opinion of Florida vs. UK? JH has watched
all of UK's league games. They're effective on offense as well as defense.
They're passing well and making shots JH hasn't seen them make since
he's been in the league. JH still thinks Florida is a very solid club, but
they did some things they haven't done and just got dismantled. They came
back and did the same thing to Bama. It had to be tough on Donovan to be ranked
#1 on Monday, then have to go into Rupp Arena on Tuesday night. After JH rattled
off a bunch of additional info, he & Scott joked whether we should even
make the trip.
John from East Cobb wonders if Gibson or Quentin Moses will see playing time.
JH thinks both are improving, but the games are tough. There is little margin
for error in this conference.
David from Carnesville also asked about the two football players. JH said they
were doing workouts (mat drills) with the football team in the morning.
The guys don't have a free lunch in practice when Moses is on the floor.
Moses has handled coming in late and trying to work his way in very well.
Scott in Athens is concerned that Ezra and Jarvis are getting tired late in
games. Our guys are tough and in shape. JH reminded Scott that he played only
7 guys on his UCLA team. But he did notice that Jarvis missed some shots short
yesterday. He needs to get Wehunt in, and use Damien Wilkins more. Also, Wright
needs to be protected. JH thinks the game is tougher conditioning wise. We practice
hard, but are down to 90-minute practices. Ezra always looks tired, but he sure
didn't in the second half against Miss. State.
The final caller, Brett, asked about using more sets with Wilkins at point and
Wright at 2 guard, so as to protect Wright without having to put him on the
bench more.
Scott just had to look at the score sheet again .. Slay hardly came out of the
game yesterday. JH doesn't think Watson or Higgins came out in the second
half either.
While 10-6 was good enough to win the East last year, it does not appear that
will be the case this year. As for the NCAAs, it looks like we've got 6,
with Bama and Ole Miss on the fence right now. A team which finished below 8-8
in the league could be in trouble.
JH says Gottfried thinks his Bama team will get it turned around. But they may
have some structural things that need fixing and with 6 losses already could
be in trouble.
Tickets scarce for the remaining SEC home games. JH says we need you, badly.
Charlie says Kentucky will lose three games - two to us and one to Florida,
and that someone else needs to beat Florida in addition to us.
What is JH's favorite road site in the SEC, in terms of atmosphere? JH likes
Rupp, and says he and the team like UF, where the crowd challenges you and you
respond. He can't stand Vandy. (NO SURPRISE!!)
Kevin from DeKalb Co. wonders if JH considers walk-ons. JH has in the past.
But a walk-on really has to compete and be able to play with the guys on the
team. JH anticipates next year having a full roster of 13 guys. He hasn't
had that at UGA thus far. Supposedly, not having walk-ons due to Title IX can
hurt school spirit.
At UCLA, JH had three full courts with 8 baskets, while here he has only 4 baskets
to work with in practice. If you have more than 12-15 guys shooting, you're
really cutting down on reps for everyone.
Rick in Marietta is worried about guys having career games against us. JH agrees.
He is more disappointed than anyone. We're just going through a tough time.
Last year, only a couple of guys had career games against us all season.
Robert in Riverdale asked about the 8/5 rule. The coaches are trying to get
that changed. We're trying to recruit a NQ from last year and hope to get
him in.
We have a short prep time before UK, but JH says it is much like the tourney,
when you play Thurs/Sat or Fri/Sun. Network & ESPN exposure is well worth
it.
Steve from Birmingham, a Bama fan, is looking forward to our game there. He
wonders about officials working all over the place (he noticed Andre Patillo
at the Duke game). JH would prefer to remove conference affiliations and
doesn't like to see a guy more than 3-4 times per year.
JH wants to bring the team over to play in the new Gwinnett Arena once next
year, just to see what kind of response we get (in response to my question
about facilities). There has been talk of tearing down Stegman and playing
in Gwinnett for a year or two. But the last survey done regarding rebuilding
Stegeman carried a price tag of $90-$100 mil. Everyone gulped on that.
(Note - the new Gwinnett Arena opened today with an Open House; its first
event is next week.)
Bulldog Hotline next week is at 4:00, and the week after that is 7:00 on Feb.
23.
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