Georgia Bulldogs
Overall Rank: #94
Conference Rank: #9 SEC
Georgia Team Page
2010-11: 21-12, 9-7
2010-11 postseason: NCAA
Coach: Mark Fox (35-29 at Georgia, 151-77 overall)
Georgia will take a step back this year after reaching the NCAA Tournament in 2011. However, the future is quite bright under Coach Mark Fox. He had some talented players on the roster when he arrived in Athens two years ago, but he is bringing more talent that will have this team competing for SEC titles down the road.
Who’s Out:
The Bulldogs would be looking at an SEC title this year if Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie would have stuck around for their senior seasons. Both left early for the NBA. Thompkins was the man under the basket and led the team with 16.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per contest. His ability to score inside and out will be sorely missed. Leslie was the slashing wing who played solid defense as well. He ranked second to only Thompkins with 14.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest. Jeremy Price did the dirty work in the paint, averaging 9.3 points and 5.0 rebounds. The loss of fellow forward Chris Barnes leaves the frontcourt with very, very little experience.
Who’s In:
Thus, this recruiting class is very heavy on big guys. Incoming freshmen John Cannon, Tim Dixon and Nemanja Djurisic will have to contribute and, unless this team plays very small, one will need to emerge as a starter at the power forward position. Djurisic is the best fit for that role, but all will be given an opportunity. John Florveus, a junior college transfer, will likely start at the center position. His experience and 7-0, 215 pound frame will come in handy in the paint. Florveus does not have the strength to battle in the paint against some SEC opponents, but he does have a huge wingspan and can at least block some shots and grab some boards. The big newcomer is smaller than the rest. Shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is one of the best incoming freshmen in the nation and will immediately find himself attempting to fill Leslie’s shoes.
Who to Watch:
Dustin Ware and Gerald Robinson will join Caldwell-Pope on the perimeter. Ware started all 33 games last year and did a superb job keeping the offense moving. Ware is a superb outside shooter and knocked down 43.5 percent of his attempts from long range. Ware will not do much scoring besides that, but he does not need to. He can get to the basket and find one of his teammates instead. His 3.5 assists and 1.2 turnovers were impressive and should only get better. Gerald Robinson actually led the team in assists with 4.0 per contest. Robinson is a more dynamic scorer who finishes around the basket. With a little more outside shooting, Robinson could be a great scorer who will team up with Caldwell-Pope to form a great duo on the wings. Sherrard Brantley will need to provide most of the depth on the perimeter.
Final Projection:
Connor Nolte and Marcus Thornton are the only returning frontcourt players and they averaged less than ten minutes per game. Nolte is more of a wing than a big man, but has enough size to play the four if he has to do so, otherwise he can provide some depth on the wing. Thornton is more of a traditional big man who will battle it out for playing time with the newcomers. Donte’ Williams could prove to have a more productive sophomore season. No matter who plays, Georgia has to find some new big men and fast or this team will be lucky to reach any postseason tournament.
Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT
Projected Starting Five:
Dustin Ware, Senior, Guard, 8.0 points per game
Gerald Robinson, Senior, Guard, 12.2 points per game
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Freshman, Guard, DNP last season
Marcus Thornton, Sophomore, Forward, 1.5 points per game
John Florveus, Junior, Center, DNP last season
Madness 2012 NBA Draft Rankings:
#20 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Madness 2011 Men's Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#14 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
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