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[su_spacer size=”40″] Happy Thanksgiving from the Bulldawg Illustrated Hoops Report. We’re like the liquor cabinet on Turkey Day. It may not be the center of attention, but it would be difficult to survive without it. And we darn sure wouldn’t have survived last Friday night without Kenny Gaines!

[su_spacer size=”20″] The senior from Parts Unknown, actually Whitefield Academy, poured in 35 points in 31 minutes to keep the Dawgs from starting off the season 0-2. Thanks to Gaines, we beat a Murray State team 63-52 that had won 27 straight regular season games if my memory serves. Now we have High Point coming in on Wednesday at 5 p.m. We need to win this one because we rumble with Seton Hall Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in Newark, NJ and that won’t be easy after the shellacking we put on them last year when they rolled in 10-1. But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s talk about last week.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Everyone on UGA’s roster except Kenny Gaines was ice cold last Friday. JJ Frazier and Yante Maten scored eight and seven respectively. No one else had more than four. Frazier and Charles Mann combined to go 1-18 from the floor. However, the one was a huge three from JJ late in the game that helped propel the Dawgs to victory. The team shot 30% from the floor. Maten and Mann combined to shoot 50% from the charity stripe. Outside of all that ugliness, there were a few bright spots. The team shot 73% from the FT line. Mann only had two turnovers. Maten had double digits in rebounds in both games. I know that’s not a lot, but it didn’t have to be with Gaines on the floor. He hit every big shot he took late in the game. He was definitely in the proverbial zone. Thank goodness or the season would already be in doubt. We still need to find a way to steal a game or two and end up with seven or eight out-of-conference wins.
[su_spacer size=”40″] High Point is up next. I know absolutely nothing about them. However, I do know if we score more points than they do, it will be tough to lose. I also know it’s easier to win with a strong crowd on your side. Based on past experience, the Dawgs at least know how to play in front of an empty arena. So they won’t be shell shocked if 2000 people show up. But since it’s a slow Wednesday, if you have nothing to do then check out the game. The team would love to see you. You slide on over the Continuing ED Bar and Grill for some happy hour mixers and then walk on over to the The Stegasaurus! It’s a cheap ticket. Bring your family! Bring your friends! Bring your family’s friends if you must. Just bring someone and help send these guys up to Jersey on a high note after High Point. Go Dawgs!
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