What should be a hoops call-in show, becomes a "special edition" with
Scott Howard and Tony Schiovane of WSB Radio. Supposedly, calls on the NCAA
Tournament selections and Scott says he'll do his best to answer questions
about the UGA basketball program.
BTW - next call-in show will be for football season; likely Aug. 31, following
the UGA-Clemson game.
SEC got 6 teams in. Oddly, 4 teams from the West got in and only two from the
East, even though the East overpowered the West during the regular season. Scott
recapped the no. 1 seeds (UK, Arizona, Okla. & Texas) and the matchups
for the SEC teams that got in. Scott wonders if Texas is really the overall
#1 seed since they get the winner of the Tuesday play-in game. Also, teams in
the RPI top 50 - six teams in the top 50 as of a week ago did not get in, not
including UGA (#6 as of last week). The highest team left out was Seton
Hall at #36 as of last week.
Tony remarked that this was a season of ups and downs and thought that the SEC
would've had 7 teams in if UGA had not pulled out last week. Scott likes
UK to win the whole tournament.
The Lady Dawgs are the #5 seed in the Midwest, and will play UNC-Charlotte Saturday
in Athens.
Robert in Midtown was the first caller, sounded down on the phone, said he had
"very strong feelings" regarding Adams. He was also upset with Dooley's
remarks which inferred Harrick could come back next year, and said it was just
the latest of many PR blunders by UGA, not only with this crisis but over at
least several years. Scott said he has had a good relationship with Harrick
over the years but has not been able to talk with him for the last several days.
But even Scott doesn't see how Harrick could continue to be the coach after
all this. Tony does not consider Dooley's remarks a PR blunder, but thinks
UGA is saying what it legally has to.
UGAA officials are saying that not participating in the SEC and NCAA tournaments
could cost the school close to $1 mil. Scott says that was done for reasons
looking down the road; he & Tony agree that the self-imposed penalties are
to try and lessen any NCAA penalties and help the program get on track. Scott
says Jarvis Hayes' cutoff is being projected #13 or better in the NBA draft.
Tony noted that much of the anger present on campus after the decision to withdraw
from postseason was not present at the Hayes' press conference.
Tony noted the contrast present in this athletic season, going from the SEC
Championship in football to what has happened to the basketball season.
Al from Knoxville notes that this situation seems to get worse the further it
goes along, especially with recent reports that no evidence seems to be out
that Harrick Sr. was directly involved. Al blames Adams and Dooley and thinks
someone should pay for this. Scott noted that if anything is found directly
involving Harrick, the University is not responsible for all or most of the
contract.
Scott & Tony moved on to talking about coaching vacancies already in existence.
UCLA's streak of 14 straight tourney appearances has ended, and Steve Lavin
expects to be fired tomorrow. Also, Bobby Knight's streak of 16 straight
appearances (Indiana & Texas Tech) ended when TT did not make the
field this year.
Roger from Marietta wondered what would've happened if Cole's allegations
had not been made public - especially if he were still on the team. Scott figured
we would be getting ready to be in the tourney. Of course, Scott added that
Cole basically was kicked off the team after the sexual assault allegations
in January, 2002. Tony thinks it is very tough for coaches who get kids they
know can play basketball … and Scott adds with Cole's type of background.
It just blew up in Harrick's face and has figuratively has blown up UGA.
John from
Kentucky (UK fan) said he missed having UGA fans at the SEC
tourney and missed getting to watch Jarvis and Ezra play in the tourney. Scott
noted that just about everyone on this UGA team is a solid citizen.
Scott bemoaned that this UGA team, which won 6 of its last 7, couldn't show
what it was capable of in postseason…
Scott & Tony killed the last several minutes of the show by going though
the entire tournament bracket.
Comments