Welcome to the Bulldawg Illustrated Hoops Report: Alabama vs Georgia. It’s like swimming upstream. Which is exactly what the Dawgs have done all year. We obviously had high expectations going into this year.
 
 
But we always put ourselves behind the eight ball with inconsistent offense, mediocre free throw shooting and way too many turnovers. That said, contrary to popular opinion, the season really didn’t go off the rails until late February. We needed to go 2-1 vs Florida, at Vandy and at Auburn. We lost all three. Unfortunately, that put us well outside the bubble. However, it did seem to upset our Dawgs. Since then they’ve beat a solid Ole Miss team on the bubble last Saturday at home by 14 and then pulled away from the Lamecocks late to win 74-72 on Thursday. Now all of a sudden this team seems to be full of life with Bama coming to Athens on Saturday. But is it too late?
 
 
Before we figure that out, let’s touch on a few things about the game on Thursday. JJ Frazier and Kenny Gaines led the way with 19 and 20 respectively. JJ also had 9 rebounds. Yante Maten poured in 13. While 19 turnovers were way too many again, we went 23-27 at the free throw line and that was the difference. Columbia has always been a tough place to play but I believe Fox is 5-2 up there now. So he’s figured something out as their only other home loss was to UK.
 
 
Alabama was the talk of the SEC when the Dawgs started their February slide. Avery Johnson has really done a good job. Their problem is their talent level is not where it should be and they’ve since come back down to earth. If the Dawgs can somehow hold onto the basketball and not make the silly turnovers, then they’re tough to beat. Plus, if JJ and Kenny stay hot, that just helps our chances. And did I mention it’s Senior Day? I hope Charles Mann and Gaines can keep their emotions and go out winners.
 
 
Ok, let’s talk Tourney. Right now the Dawgs are well outside of an at-large bid and that won’t change most likely. However, let me light a candle rather than curse the darkness. If the Dawgs beat Bama, they’re riding a three game win streak. While that’s modest, we’re going into the SEC Tournament hot. As you’re well aware, hot teams have made noise in the past. Plus, if the Dawgs play to their potential or even a little above that, I don’t think anyone in the SEC is unbeatable. Especially when you look at this year’s teams. So depending on how other conferences shake out and which teams lose, there may be a ray of hope if we merely make the SEC Final. However, if we don’t beat Bama you have to win it.
 
 
So we know Saturday is must win. It’s senior day and any UGA basketball fan that can be there, should be there at 4 pm on Saturday. Let’s get the Stegasaurus cranking and help send Gaines and Mann out with a smile. They’ve been DGDs for four years and have always given 100%. I hope to see you there. Go Dawgs!!