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#132 Georgia Bulldogs
Southeastern Conference
2004-05: 8-20,
2-14, 6th
2004-05 postseason: none
By
Joel Welser
There is nowhere to go
but up for Georgia. With all five starters returning and an
extremely young group growing up together, the Bulldogs are
slowly working their way back to SEC prominence. There is still
a long ways to go, but head coach Dennis Felton has the group in
Athens headed in the right direction. With a talented group of
freshmen becoming sophomores in Sundiata Gaines, Channing Toney
and Dave Bliss, the Bulldogs could come up with a few surprises.
Who’s Out:
Nobody who played too much of a role for the Bulldogs is
leaving. Matt Womack and Joey Waldrop are leaving the program. The
frontcourt takes a hit with their departures, but none of them
played in over 20 games. Forward Corey Gibbs’ career is over due
to knee injuries. Gibbs averaged 4.3 points per game as a
sophomore last year and had the potential to become more of a
force for UGA. Guard Tommy Wainscott has run out of eligibility.
He played in 15 games, averaging only 3.7 minutes per contest.
Who’s In:
Even without
recruit Louis Williams, who opted for the NBA Draft, Coach
Felton brings in a solid group of freshmen. Mike Mercer is one
of the best point guards in the class. If he isn’t starting at
the beginning of the season, he will be soon thereafter. Billy
Humphrey will provide some depth off the bench. The 6-0 shooting
guard has a great outside shot and averaged 30.4 points per game
as a senior at Dacula High School. Centers Kendrick Johnson and
Rashaad Singleton will add some much needed depth under the
basket. Johnson, at 6-10 and 225 pounds, is physically ready to
bang inside with the tough SEC competition. Singleton is a true
center at 7-0, 230 pounds. He has room to improve, but should
help out immediately on the defensive end. Power forward
Terrance Woodbury has the potential to be a force under the
basket or on the wing before his days are done at UGA.
Who to Watch:
Levi Stukes was
the leader a year ago as a sophomore. He once again will be the
experienced leader this season. The 6-1 guard averaged 15.2
points last year and should lead the team in scoring again this
year. Stukes has a decent outside shot, making 30.5% of his
attempts from beyond the arc. He’ll take plenty of shots from
long range, with nearly half of his shots from the floor coming
from three-point land.
Projected Conference Rank:
Finishing 11th place overall in the conference is one better
than last year. If the frontcourt duo of Steve Newman and Dave
Bliss can continue to improve, UGA could come up with a few
upsets, but the best is yet to come since next year Georgia very
well could have the same starting lineup for three consecutive
seasons.
Projected Post-season Tournament:
none
Projected Starting
Five:
Sundiata Gaines,
Sophomore, Guard, 12.0 points per game
Levi Stukes, Junior,
Guard, 15.2 points per game
Channing Toney,
Sophomore, Guard, 9.8 points per game
Steve Newman, Junior,
Forward, 7.2 points per game
Dave Bliss, Sophomore,
Center, 7.2 points per game
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