See You In Charlotte

Georgia -- Mark Fox in particular -- deserves a lot of credit for its so-called “head-scratching” seed in the tournament. Fox made a point last offseason to assemble a schedule that would give them the best chance to get in -- tough, but not too tough.

It's a lot like when Georgia got surprisingly high seeds those two years Harrick made the tournament, except under Harrick they played one of the most difficult schedules in the country.

The selection committee loves RPI and strength of schedule, and Georgia had both of those things going for it in a big way. No bad lossses, and they got in easily.

I know this was a frustrating season in a lot of ways, because of the close losses and having Thompkins banged up so often, but I think it's important to appreciate where Georgia is right now. Making the tournament in itself is a huge, huge step for this program.

This doesn't happen at Georgia very often. Win or lose Friday, and they get the kind of positive exposure they've not had in almost a decade. (This is a legit tournament team, unlike in 2008, when Georgia wasn't much more than a cute little story.) Win, and you get to play North Carolina in front of the entire country. As long as you don't embarrass yourself there, that's another shot in the arm.

Washington will be extremely tough, but there is one thing I like about Georgia playing them -- I don't think many people nationally will give them much of a chance.

For one, they'll still be talking about how Georgia doesn't deserve a 10-seed more than about their chances of winning. Two, Washington won the Pac-10 tournament, so everyone will expect them to go on a run like they did last year. Again, Washington scares me, but before Arizona today they beat Washington State (which beat them the previous time they played) and Oregon (which isn't any good). It could be worse.

Four more days.

Headed North

Yankees get ready,
Times Square, Broadway, and beyond,
Slic's coming to town!

City that never sleeps huh? We'll see about that!

*Happy 26th Shane! Wish I could be there but I know you'll have a good one!

I hope Baldino's is good this week...

#34 to Monday Night RAW

Herschel Walker was backstage at RAW in Dallas this past Monday. Apparently he's a huge wrestling fan, opting to watch RAW over Monday Night Football.

Oh yeah... and 1 more week! This time next week I should be going to bed, but we all know better.

Who's Wrong?

There are a lot of qualifiers in this piece, but it sounds like Mark Bradley is saying that Georgia has to win two games in the SEC tournament to make the NCAAs.

Bradley's been around a lot longer than I have, so maybe he knows something I don't. But I'm pretty sure everything else I've seen suggests that if Georgia beats Auburn they're in. Two losses to Alabama wouldn't look good, but I'm pretty sure that a top 40 RPI and strength of schedule -- with 'Bama being the closest thing to a bad loss -- should get you in.

Does that seem right, or am I missing something? I wouldn't want to get too excited if Georgia manages to not fall apart on Thursday.

On an unrelated note, 10 more days.

Too Good To Pass Up

Feel free to point out anybody else...

Friday Haiku

While the hate freely flows in the post below (F eminem), here's a Haiku to start your Friday off right:

Now the fun begins.
Election, reception, beach.
Anderson, look out!

My movie comes out today too. Exciting times. Hope to see everybody this weekend.

Top 3 People I Dislike

3.
2.

1.

Anymouse and myself got yall's asses

We're #1

When Is It Going To Be Our Turn?

I'm still waiting while Georgia athletics continues to disappoint. Enough of the excuses about refs, injuries, suspensions, etc. just go out and win games. Take care of business. This goes for all sports. Barring a miracle, this "star studded," "best basketball team at Georgia in awhile" is NIT bound, the football team's troubles are well documented (although I'm cautiously optimistic about 2011, mainly because South Carolina is the front runner in the East and that's just a bad joke), and from what JJBA tells me the baseball team could be just as bad as last year when they gave up 10+ runs seemingly every game. The high school talent available in Georgia in all 3 of those sports provides a built-in advantage 99% of schools and coaches around the country would kill to have at their disposal. I hear over and over again about the outrageous monetary numbers the Athletic Association pulls in year in and year out. Most of the athletic facilities have been upgraded or are in the process of being upgraded. The excuses are drying up pretty quick. Ultimately, the blame lies exactly where it should and that is with the coaches and players. Both groups are under performing to the point where things are just getting downright ridiculous. We need to start delivering the punch again instead of becoming the punchline for other SEC teams.

The good news: 4 weeks (or 28 days) away from the biggest day of the year and nothing can ruin that feeling!
Doesn't get any better than this...


Looking forward to the BC Alumni event tomorrow evening, the Marshall's Election/Reception next weekend, and of course the Triiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnniiiiitttttyyyyyyyyyyyy! Erin Go Brah!

Here's an Arthur's Basement for good measure:

One Year Ago...

... I strengthened my case for immortality.

With that in mind I promise to post more and get back to my "roots" (not kunta kinte or Toby). That starts in Athens this weekend and Savannah the following weekend. That's a Slick Rick guarantee!

'Dinos Evaluation

I ate at Baldinos for lunch today. When they are on, they have the best sandwiches in Savannah. When they are off, they may be some of the worst.

Kind of like Georgia basketball.

If this were football, people would be talking about firing you.

37 Days

Tweets That Aren't By Slicric416

I was following some people's tweets during the Super Bowl earlier when I came across this amazing fake Twitter account for Mark Richt. I would assume this guy will get a cease-and-desist letter by the end of the week, so enjoy it while you can.

A few samples:

“Sending the Gym Dawgs to South Carolina to get us in the mix on this Clowney kid.”

“I can tell Bulldawg nation is really excited for this class. My Barberitos was spit-free for the first time since the bowl game.”

“More like Dick Saban.” “Sorry, that was a text intended for Isaiah Crowell.”

“No arrests this weekend! First time winning the coaches player arrest pool. I always take 0.”

“Is taking recruits to @TaqueriadelSol a recruiting violation? Can someone ask McGarity? Somehow got stuck with Bobo's kids. #FML"

Combo of Price and Barnes

Basketball

- Georgia hosts Florida in the biggest game of the season to date. Gotta get to 4-2 with trips to Kentucky and Arkansas up next.

- Braketology currently has Georgia as a 9 seed playing Cashmere Wright and Cincinnati.

- The 4th leading scorer in the the Big East, Casey Mitchell, has been suspended indefinitely by Bobby Huggins.

- Sundiata Gaines is averaging 5.8 points a game for the Raptors.

- BC's starting center scored 32 against Camden last Friday. He's scored 20+ points in 6 straight games and is the leading rebounder in the quad-county area. BC is 3-14.

- The Spurs are the best team in the NBA by far.

- Ole Miss and Head Coach Andy Kennedy beat LSU on Saturday.

Finally Something Worthwhile Happens in Tennis.

Somebody has to be Good

You'd think the percentages would eventually catch up with Georgia athletics and somebody would be good. The basketball team looked to be better than most, and though it still can be is underachieving up to this point. Message boards are lit up with how the refs cost Georgia an SEC win last night. Though I hate Ted Valentine more than any other official in any sport, the refs didn't cost Georgia. Thomkins being outplayed by a freshman, and the two seniors being the worst players on the floor cost Georgia. Shot clock should've been called, and the over the back was pretty obvious. But Georgia should have never been in that position at home against a team that has lost to a number of inferior opponents in the last month. Maybe I was expecting a little much thinking this was a team that would be fighting for a better seed in the dance come SEC tournament time. Instead, the fight looks to be coming with the bubble.

Right now the Dawgs would be on the outside looking in. Before the conference slate started, 10-6 looked like the number that was needed for a probable tourney birth. Now for that to happen8-4 is needed from here on out. For the sake of outlook I think Georgia needs to run the table at home. 7-0 would be ideal but 6-1 would be okay if that loss is to Xavier. If this was to happen then 2-4 on the road is a minimal requirement. I like the chances of 7-0 at home better than 2-4 on the road given Georgia's recent history away from Athens. But games in Columbia, Fayetteville, and Tuscaloosa are very gettable while trips to Lexington, Knoxville, and Gainesville are long shots imo. The loss last night hurt immensely and makes the Miss State game close to a must win.

Fox knows how important this season is for the greater good of Georgia basketball. Next year will field a team with only 2 starters probably returning and the following year will have a brand new back court. The time is now for this program to get over the hump, especially when the league is as average as ever. Thomkins and Leslie have to raise their levels of play because both were better players last year on a team that finished last.

For those who could care less about basketball, SPD is 57 days away.