Welcome to the Bulldawg Illustrated Hoops Report: Georgia vs Belmont. It’s like hoping for an A but getting a D. And that’s probably the way the Dawgs feel.
 
 
There are no moral victories this year as many would say. The Dawgs started the year a NCAA tournament team that underperformed most of the season and now are a NIT team. They got hot at a good time but it was one game too late. If the Dawgs won at Ole Miss, at LSU, in Athens vs UF or most recently at Auburn, they’re in. But if “ifs” were fifths we’d all be drunk. It’s disappointing to say the least. I firmly believe that Mark Fox did a decent job this year. However, even as a Fox supporter, the blame has to go on the head coach. That said, this is really the first time he’s underperformed as far as making the tournament. He’s a heck of a coach and the Dawgs are on the right track. So for you real Dawgs Hoops fans out there, the future is bright. I’ve had several people tell me they think Fox needs to go. Then I ask them how many games they’ve watched and how many have they attended. It’s usually two and zero respectively. So please don’t put much stock in the uninformed’s opinions. If we don’t live up to expectations next year, it would then be time to talk about removing Fox.
 
 
Now the Dawgs are facing Belmont in the NIT tonight at 7 p.m. in Athens. This game obviously depends on how the Dawgs are mentally dealing with the dejection. They could come out flat and disinterested. We’ve all seen it happen before in the NIT. So who knows what will happen. I do know if Yante Maten, JJ Frazier, Charles Mann and Kenny Gaines show up to play in this tournament, we have a chance to make some noise. Plus, maybe we get to see a little more of the Turtle Jackson coming out party. He scored nine points in 15 minutes vs UK. He’s been missing in action the last half of this season and there has been huge questions as to why. Now, with nothing left to lose, but a game in the NIT, you might as well get him some valuable minutes for next year.
 
 
It’s the NIT and the Dawgs fell short of the 2016 goals. No question about that. However, the only bonus to the fans is extra basketball in Athens. So if you’re free tonight at 7 pm, head on over to the The Steg. You can roll through Five Points and grab a couple of pregame pops. Then head on over and cheer for Mann and Gaines at least one more time. It’s not the NCAAs, but it’s still the Dawgs. So hunker down and show up. They need some support and you’re just the person for the job. Go Dawgs!