The absolute FIGHT in the DAWG! You could see it in every one of our players. They refused to get down on themselves when they made mistakes or when it wasn’t going there way. They just absolutely pushed and fought and willed their way to victory. If you want the stats to prove it: we out rebounded Arkansas and held them to 40% from the field and an absolute lockdown 14.3% from three (3 for 21). You don’t do things like this on a consistent basis without togetherness and fight. Mike White has cultivated a great culture with this crew.
How it was won:
Justin Hill and Noah Thomasson - these boys have just entered SEC and are absolutely heat checking from deep. Noah is 6 for 12 from deep in two sec games and Hill is an insane 7 for 15 from deep. Hill also hurt them on the drive tonight. These two have played HUGE roles in us being 2-0 in SEC play. They both looked like top tier sec guards the last two games. It’s been amazing to see.
Other noticings:
1. How in the world did Tchewa only have 6 points?!?!? Maybe they were all just timely, but it felt like he really worked them in there and had a presence that the defense had to respect. Jalen Deloach with a NASTY quick spin and dunk as well. They are giving us just enough and maybe a little more, to demand respect and attention down there. If they can keep that up and maybe increase a little, we are going to make jumps and leaps forward.
2. The Trio - Blue, Jabri, and Noah were in the lineup together starting at the 9:05 mark in the 1st half. The score was 18-15 UGA. When we subbed out some of that trio at the 3:25 mark, we were up 30-17. They went on a 12-2 run that provided us a comfortable lead that kept Arkansas at bay almost the whole game. Those three are hard for a defense to deal with. That was the only time that lineup was in together.
3. Demary, Melendez, and Jabri - all three had rough nights. Demary was kicking the ball over to the other team, struggling to finish layups, and hit his free throws. Melendez is shooting basically in a practice gym by himself he is so open now and it’s still not falling. Jabri was on ice from deep. But not one of them hung their heads. Not one of the stopped fighting on defense and rebounding. In the last five minutes of the game we made four field goals. Jabri, Demary, and Melendez were the ones who hit them all. Jabri and Demary each hit a three, and Demary and Melendez each hit a lay up. Composure and fight. Great to see.
The rotation basically feels like 8 guys right now with a sprinkle of a 9th (Sunny) and a foul situation 10th (Big Frank). This is one of the reasons our guys stay composed I believe. They aren’t worried about getting yanked or losing their role. If they have a bad 4 minutes, game, or whatever, we are going to come back to them. They know their roles. It’s great to see.
We got 16 more of these SEC games and it’s going to be a war every night. But we have started this SEC battle really well. I’m so freaking stoked. Go you streaking Hoop Dawgs!!!
How it was won:
Justin Hill and Noah Thomasson - these boys have just entered SEC and are absolutely heat checking from deep. Noah is 6 for 12 from deep in two sec games and Hill is an insane 7 for 15 from deep. Hill also hurt them on the drive tonight. These two have played HUGE roles in us being 2-0 in SEC play. They both looked like top tier sec guards the last two games. It’s been amazing to see.
Other noticings:
1. How in the world did Tchewa only have 6 points?!?!? Maybe they were all just timely, but it felt like he really worked them in there and had a presence that the defense had to respect. Jalen Deloach with a NASTY quick spin and dunk as well. They are giving us just enough and maybe a little more, to demand respect and attention down there. If they can keep that up and maybe increase a little, we are going to make jumps and leaps forward.
2. The Trio - Blue, Jabri, and Noah were in the lineup together starting at the 9:05 mark in the 1st half. The score was 18-15 UGA. When we subbed out some of that trio at the 3:25 mark, we were up 30-17. They went on a 12-2 run that provided us a comfortable lead that kept Arkansas at bay almost the whole game. Those three are hard for a defense to deal with. That was the only time that lineup was in together.
3. Demary, Melendez, and Jabri - all three had rough nights. Demary was kicking the ball over to the other team, struggling to finish layups, and hit his free throws. Melendez is shooting basically in a practice gym by himself he is so open now and it’s still not falling. Jabri was on ice from deep. But not one of them hung their heads. Not one of the stopped fighting on defense and rebounding. In the last five minutes of the game we made four field goals. Jabri, Demary, and Melendez were the ones who hit them all. Jabri and Demary each hit a three, and Demary and Melendez each hit a lay up. Composure and fight. Great to see.
The rotation basically feels like 8 guys right now with a sprinkle of a 9th (Sunny) and a foul situation 10th (Big Frank). This is one of the reasons our guys stay composed I believe. They aren’t worried about getting yanked or losing their role. If they have a bad 4 minutes, game, or whatever, we are going to come back to them. They know their roles. It’s great to see.
We got 16 more of these SEC games and it’s going to be a war every night. But we have started this SEC battle really well. I’m so freaking stoked. Go you streaking Hoop Dawgs!!!
