Welcome to the Bulldawg Illustrated Hoops Report. It’s drinking ice cold beer on a hot Christmas day. Well the Dawgs are 4-3 and need to go 3-0 in their next three games to keep on pace to make the tournament. And it all starts on Saturday at noon vs the enemy. It will be a Nerd-a-rama on Saturday. The Maggots can get up early and go watch a Star War and then load up their wiener-mobile and head over to the Stegasaurus for a good, old-fashion butt whipping. Ever since the Head Nerd Gregory has been at Tek, they’ve been flat out awful. However, he’s won four straight vs the Dawgs. While they can’t afford to fire him, they probably don’t want to strictly because he’s got our number. Luckily, Kenny Gaines, Charles Mann and Yate Maten are not going to let that happen this year. But before I let you know how I really feel about our next opponent, let’s talk about our last game vs. Winthrop.

 
The Dawgs played their best game of the year last week. While the score only showed a 74-64 victory against a less talented team, UGA was crisp and played with great energy. Gaines was a little banged up and didn’t play, but Maten shouldered the load with 24 points and 12 rebounds. JJ Frazier and Mann finished with 15 and 14 respectively. JJ also had 10 rebounds. That’s a big double-double for a little double-J. While we did have too many turnovers with 14 and only shot 20% from three, we did look engaged and focused the entire game. We’ve had several lapses of focus this year for whatever reason. That’s cost us some games and almost cost us others. But we were in full control last week and the outcome was never in doubt.
 
Up next, NERDS!
 
What can I say that hasn’t already been said about a student body that would rather rub on a slide rule than a pretty girl. It pains me from head to toe when we lose to those people in anything. Luckily, it doesn’t happen much. However, it’s happened four straight times in men’s hoops and that ain’t right. The nerd’s coach can do two things: beat us and finish in the cellar of the ACC. That’s it. The last four years, here’s what’s happened. They come into our matchup with hope, play their best game of the year against us, and then start losing like it’s their only option. They’re usually out of post-season options in mid January. Luckily, the losses haven’t been a back-breakers during the streak. This one would be just because we’ve wasted all of our house money. We have to go 3-0 in the next three to keep us on track for the NCAA. And it starts Saturday at noon vs. the yellow and black!
 
Chattanooga, Winthrop, Oakland, etc. If I start rattling off UGA’s opponents this year, people tell me how bad we are. We’ve lost three games already and we haven’t played anyone. It drives me crazy when the misinformed give me information that’s not accurate. Remember, it’s better to stay silent and let people think you’re stupid than open your mouth and remove all doubt. Seven! That’s right. That’s UGA’s strength of schedule rating right now. That means we’ve played a number of good teams so far this year. Are the Maggots good? I don’t think so. But I don’t know. However, I do know if the Stegasaurus is packed and loud, we have a better chance to win. It’s Saturday at noon. What else you going to do? Go sip a Frappuccino at Coffees are Us? Heck no, that sounds like what a nerd would do. Load up your famliy, friends, and coworkers alike and come on out. The football world got righted last month, time to get basketball back in whack! Oh, and by the way, I sure hope Mark Richt goes to 10-0 at Mark Richt field in Athens-West Stadium next year. Haunt them as long as you can, coach. Go Dawgs!