I hate Penn State the least, 1983 Sugar Bowl not withstanding.

UGA has been all about getting the biggest human beings possible. We have seen graphics showing how huge our OLine recruiting classes are yet ND’s smaller/faster DLine seemed to be effective. (Esp at LT) Should we reconsider our approach?

1. Tie 2022 or 2021- Take your pick
3. 2017
4. 2023
5. 2018
6. 2019- offense nearly the same, better d than 2024
7. 2024- Overall, with all the problems, have to give Kirby credit for keeping this team together and winning the SEC with that schedule.
8. 2020
9. 2016

He wasn’t on the bench 👀. @Anthony Dasher

Finally had the time to process the Sugar Bowl. All season long, this team has been unable to put together a consistent 60 minute performance. They pretty much slept through a half in every game.

Well, Thursday evening they finally put together a consistent 60 minute performance. They slept through the whole game.

Oh well, SEC Championship ain’t nothing.

Kirby needs to retool that offense though. Both personnel through the portal and coaches with new faces.

Go Dawgs…no matter the outcome.

I don't want Tejas winning it. I also hate Day and Franklin.

I guess, I'm a Go Irish guy the rest of the way.

He was as good as you can ever ask a track star to be, ala the Scott-Wesley's of the world.

That said, let's talk about his speed. Has he ever hit a crease and left defenders in his wake after a catch or getting a corner on an end-around?

Does it take a quarter mile for him to hit top end, or is his speed a bit over-rated?

UGA MBB


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“The numbers bode well for Georgia when looking at basic and advanced metrics across their non-conference opponents. The Bulldogs currently rank in the Top 50 for, per Basketball Reference:

PPG: 82.6 (50th of 364)

OPP PPG: 64.2 (32nd of 364)

SRS: 16.75 (40th of 364)

ORtg: 118.4 (33rd of 364)

DRtg: 91.9 (21st of 364)

Albeit, their Strength of Schedule comes out at a meager -1.71, ranking 227th of 364 programs in Basketball Reference’s database for the 2024-25 season. They face a gauntlet in the upcoming couple of months and by season's end, their SOS will be more reflective of their preseason ranking at 71st of 364.

The Bulldogs have been playing incredibly synchronized ball, emphasizing fulfilling roles over individual prowess. They’ll find their greatest challenges from outside the 3-point line. While Leffew & Montgomery have shown promise for some consistency from deep in spurts, the Dawgs will have to look for their starters Demary Jr., Cain & Lawerence to find comfortability shooting–and scoring–efficiently from outside.

Georgia’s push toward lengthy, swiss-army knife guards knowingly would come with a handicap when it came to stretching the floor. As a team, they’re shooting 21.5 threes a game, sinking 7.7 of them at 36%. This mark sits them at 248th in attempts in CBB, but their 3pt% falls at a more impressive 99th.

Some of their shooting concerns were written off with the incoming stretch-four capability that Newell is capable of. Although, 13 games in the soon-to-be one-and-done prospect is only getting up 2.0 attempts per game, shooting 27%. You can bet that their SEC opponents will be attempting to force Georgia to beat them from deep in their impending clashes.

Georgia’s Growth and SEC Challenges

What I see as the glaring distinction from this year’s Georgia squad as compared to previous years is their ability to make the correct play and decision at the most opportune times within the ballgame.

A lot of this stems from the veteran presence and proven winnability from their transfers and foundational pieces of their returning guard room. However, it can’t be understated the impact Asa, and to a lesser extent, Somto, is making for the Bulldogs on a nightly basis.

Newell’s game is among the most mature and league-ready of his freshman peers. His ability to get an open look inside the basket is unparalleled this college basketball season. That combined with Cyril’s lob-threat ability opening up so much of the floor for the Bulldogs is a big reason they rank 12th in field goal percentage at 51%.

Coach White prides his offensive game plan on being able to slow his initators down, and allow their frontcourt to screen and post in the beneficial spots while whittling the shot clock down to its final seconds to ensure the best look is secured for their scorers. As we know, the biggest moments of the ballgame–and season–are predicated on winning these do-or-die plays. This is something that is a clear distinction from the Georgia squad last year and will be the primary catalyst for their tournament bid if and when it comes to pass.

Additionally, this year’s Georgia roster is constructed much more sustainably as opposed to teams that live and die by the three-ball. That’s not to say a high-volume SEC team like Alabama, Florida or Auburn can’t shoot them out of the gym on any given night. But instead of having to rely on having a good night from downtown, Georgia’s defensive presence will be a throughline against these tough SEC matchups.

Additionally, the pressure Cyril & Newell can put on opposing defenses by clogging the paint truly is something you can’t fully understand until you watch a Georgia game in its entirety. Seeing their impact on the court–and lack thereof when they’re subbed out–is a huge factor in Georgia recording 6.0 BPG, ranking 5th in the nation.

As Georgia kicks off their SEC campaign today versus an impressive 11-2 Ole Miss team, we will see their first true test under fire. Pay attention to how Georgia gameplans to their strengths and attempts to hide their weaknesses. If everything goes accordingly, the Bulldogs will be in a nip-and-tuck affair that’s anybody's game at the wire. That’s where Georgia’s improved decision-making, elite defense and good shot selection will either shine bright or reveal itself as a non-conference mirage all along.”




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Next Opponent: Mississippi


PPG

UGA 50

MIS 71


FG%

UGA 11

MIS 166


FT%

UGA 184

MIS 111


3P%

UGA 99

MIS 114


REB

UGA 42

MIS 248


A

UGA 83

MIS 63


TO

UGA 293

MIS 4


A/TO

UGA 171

MIS 6


BS

UGA 5

MIS 35



KEN POM

32 Mississippi

47 UGA


BART

33 UGA

37 Mississippi


EVAN

25 Mississippi

42 UGA


Georgia

203 Leffew

209 Newell

239 Cyril

247 Demary Jr

263 Lawrence

480 Godfrey

488 Abson

495 James

610 Cain

654 Montgomery (New)


Mississippi

87 Pedulla

170 Brakefield

235 Murrell

237 Brown-Jones

272 Davis

373 Murray

433 Klafke

588 Dia

723 Barnes




UGA Sports: Bulldogs open SEC play at Ole Miss


https://uga.rivals.com/news/bulldogs-open-sec-play-at-ole-miss



AJC: Georgia basketball putting historic start on the line in SEC opener at Ole Miss



https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-...pener-at-ole-miss/K4SALSIXAFHHLCI3MYOPH3ZGI4/



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Any chance he comes back for one more year? Any surprises?

Gunner’s release time can be easily fixed and there’s very much a quicker release in there to be had? Would that alter any opinion you’d have for his future here?

Mike Bobo got hired because he is Kirby‘s friend. You cannot look at his tenure at Colorado State and Auburn and think any differently. Stacy Searals as well.

Both were terrible hires, and Kirby has made up for them because he is the best coach in the business. They have to go, otherwise we are going to slip in the mediocrity like Clemson.

James Coley sucks too.

Is there a chance they go 0-16 in the conference?? I think this a legitimate question.

...it's also one reason we love the sport.

How can a team that barely beat Kentucky and took 8 OTs to beat Georgia Tech also win the SEC? Because it is a team game played by 18-22 year-olds.
How can a team that lost to Northern Illinois at home beat the latest dynasty at its own game? Because its a team game played by 18-22 year-olds.

Three thoughts from me as we try to contextualize the Sugar Bowl and moving forward:

• This is not Notre Dame from 2012 that didn't belong on the field in meaningful postseason action. It is a fast, physical, talented team with a gamer QB and a really good head coach. Marcus Freeman has been good everywhere he has been and he has transformed Notre Dame to look like a championship contender. They don't make many mistakes. They win on special teams and have a consistently solid rushing attack. Sounds like a similar formula to what got Kirby Smart here. Georgia will face Notre Dame more in upcoming postseasons, I suspect.
• Georgia is a really good program that was a championship contender this season. You don't win the SEC without being damn good. The new format requires being your best now. Georgia wasn't in the Sugar Bowl. Ohio State feels like it is. Just five weeks ago, it seemed like they wanted to fire Ryan Day after the Michigan loss. The tenor of a team can change so quickly. I'm sure more research and discussion will center around how to get your team to peak in mid-December.
• We'll chronicle the roster management to come and the draft process for the guys leaving. There is plenty more Dawgs talk to come. I'm so grateful for you all for supporting this site and our staff for the 2024 season. You all show up for us every single time. Thank you.

I’ve been a player, a QB coach, an OC, a HC and a referee for many years….and I would be curious what @refdawg thinks, but when I was a sideline ref and a play of that magnitude…..I would’ve only thrown the flag if the sideline participant kept me from keeping my feet, distracting my eyes or my ability to see the play through to the end to make sure I could spot the ball, know whether I need to wind the clock or not, if the ball came out or there was a penalty at the very end of the play (facemask, etc.).

I didn’t think that any of that happened. Could he have been hurt - yes and the rule is there to protect the ref - was he hurt - no.

Worse/more dangerous contact with 39 and ref or our punter?

Now….before the others jump on me…..yes, 39 should’ve never been there, we had plenty of other chances to make up for that, this isn’t the reason we lost the game, etc.

I know. I’m just curious about other’s opinions on that flag.

For years we have ridiculed the Bama fanbase for being spoiled and out of touch. We are fast becoming the exact types of fans we have loathed for so many years. Tonight hurt...bad. It hurt because we know that if we played to the standard Kirby has built over the last 8 years then we would beat that Notre Dame team with room to spare. But we can't win the national title every year. We went 40 years between titles. It could be another 40 years who knows. Winning a natty is very very difficult. We won an SEC title in the first season of this super league with easily the most difficult schedule. That is quite an accomplishment.

The reality is this was Kirby's most flawed team since 2016 yet they won the SEC title. The game is changing with NIL and the portal. We are still one of the top 5 programs in the country. Don't be too quick to forget where we were in the few years before Kirby arrived.

I'm preaching to myself mainly but we need to be grateful for the run we've been on and realize it won't be like this forever. Enjoy the ride. Forget the loss. Hug your family. Life is bigger than football. Kirby and UGA ain't done yet either. We will be back.

This season? I feel our biggest problem this year was our inability to run the ball. Some games it seemed that we had no running game at all unless we hung around and had some success late. I curious though as to what % of rushing were jet sweep type plays.

Sad to see the football season come to an end. Every summer, I look forward to the coming Georgia football season like it’s Christmas Eve for a kid. I spend all of August watching old games and shopping for new items to use at our tailgate. I order a new gameday shirt and make my list of items that I need to pack in my car to bring to Athens on Saturday mornings. And in what seems like a blink of an eye, the season is over. As I put away my tailgate gear for the offseason, I’m reminded how blessed we are to live in a country where we can passionately follow our favorite team for four incredible months each year. Now, with childlike anticipation, I’ll be counting down the days until another Georgia Football season begins. Go Dawgs!!!!

Georgia looking very strong here - and a reclass is very possible:

it’s clear most of the vent has never played organized sports at a high level. This program has a lot of clear issues but just don’t think regular fans understand how most of this is game to game. Which is why consistency is so vital and rare.

I hope you guys will look back on the memories we got to make this year fondly. I was fortunate enough to attend 11 of the 14 this year. Wasn’t able to make it up to Kentucky and missed the Auburn and UMass games.

Seems like forever ago I was sitting in the Benz with my wife and kids and watching us beat down Clemson. I’ll cherish the memories of beating Clemson, the Gators, Tennessee and that beautiful victory in Austin, TX.

Sure, attending the losses in Oxford, Tuscaloosa and the Sugar Bowl hurt. Although, I have to admit, I left at halftime of the Bama game. I’ll always remember Scott’s call of Beck to Bell late to give us the lead. Me and my buddy were high fiving and yelling in the car doing ridiculous speeds on I-20 headed home. Oh the woulda, coulda, shouldas there.

But I’ll always have December 7. I loved our team’s resilience that night. Losing Beck only to be saved by Stockton and Etienne’s heroics was epic. Beck making that final play handoff was like a storybook. Wrapping the night on my couch watching the end of the SMU-Clemson game that essentially put the nail in Bama’s coffin was the cherry on top. That was a top 5 day in Dawg history for me just because of how much fun I was having winning an SEC Championship and planning a trip to New Orleans.

I hope you guys are able to look back on this season as fondly as I do, even in the wake of yesterday’s heartbreak. There’s nothing that beats a trip with family or friends to see the Dawgs and this year provided some great moments.

Go Dawgs!

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Guess he never saw the field because he can’t block…?

I already posted this in CGD’s thread but I’ll post here so it doesn’t get buried and derail that thread..

Todd Monken was hired at Georgia on January 17 after we beat Baylor in the Sugar Bowl. And even then, Coley was never officially ‘fired’ as OC. In fact, I don’t think Kirby has ever officially fired anyone in his tenure in Georgia. You just see guys leave for ‘other opportunities’.

So for anyone expecting to see wholesale coaching changes this soon, I would temper your immediate expectations and give it 2-4 weeks. There is a lot going on both on and off the field for Kirby right now but the top priority football wise is on player retention (portal and draft) as well as adding players in the portal as that is what has the most immediate deadline. Any staff changes would then likely happen after those deadlines.

We know Monken is #1

How would we rank the other OC’s under Kirby?
Chaney
Bobo
Coley