There seems to be a bit of dissension among Georgia fans and college basketball “experts” over exactly what the Bulldogs need to do in order to lock up a spot in the Big Dance. Some think they have to win Saturday and win one game at the SEC Tournament, some think they need to win two in Atlanta, and others think they’ve got nothing to play for.
So aside from those who think Drexel and Georgia Tech are absolute locks, everyone agrees that Georgia must beat Tennessee on Saturday, or the season probably is over.
Now, call me naïve if you want, but I’m going to assume that the Dogs play with a full lineup on Saturday. Bliss will get a couple of days to rest what appears to be a pretty minor injury, Albert Jackson was fine the last time he dislocated his shoulder, and I just can’t see Levi Stukes watching from the bench on Senior Day.
As for the implications of this game, trying to keep your Tournament hopes alive against a team that has won six of its last seven, just beaten Florida, features the league’s leading scorer, and won its last road game in the SEC is obviously a tall order.
Now, this is obviously from a fan’s perspective, so maybe the players and coaches don’t even remember any of the things I’m about to mention, but I’d be surprised if they didn’t provide at least a little extra motivation.
On February 11, 2006, Tennessee came into Athens riding a six-game winning streak and had a ridiculous record (19-3, 8-2 SEC).
One Volunteer fan set the tone for the afternoon during the national anthem. Just before the end, the guy filled a silent Stegeman Coliseum with the loudest “Go Vols!” I’ve ever heard.
From that point on, the Tennessee Volunteers and their fans literally took over the Coliseum for the rest of the day. At times it seemed like there were more Tennessee fans than Georgia fans as the entire upper deck was filled to capacity. Chris Lofton hit nine 3-pointers and scored 33 points as the Vols held off a big comeback to win 83-78.
And how did Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl decide to celebrate this really-not-so-monumental victory?
By sending his players up into the stands, of course. In the other team’s arena.
I like Pearl, and the excitement he’s brought to the SEC East, but I haven’t forgotten that incident since the moment it happened. And I hope the Georgia players and coaches haven’t, either.
So everyone, do your part as a fan to make sure Tennessee doesn’t get the opportunity to do it again.
We fill the place up for the likes of Kentucky, LSU, and Florida, but we can’t do it for Mississippi State (another do-or-die game)? This is the season. I know Tennessee didn’t go to the Final Four last year like LSU and Florida did, and I know they don’t have the most wins all-time, like Kentucky does.
But they are all that stands between this Georgia team and history: the eighth NCAA bid for this school, ever.
So, if by some strange coincidence, someone reading this is a student who goes to the “big” games, but wants to sit this one out because it’s on TV, I’ve got one thing to say to you:
It’s time we, as fans, spent a little less time worrying about what’s written across the front of the visiting team’s jerseys, and spend a lot more time supporting the names on the backs of the home team’s jerseys.
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