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4 I Tuesday, November 7, 2006 | The Red & Black
WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW
Men's Basketball
SUNDIATA
Likely role: Starting point guard
Key stat from last year: Led team
with 28.4 minutes played per game.
Note from last year: He was named
the team’s MVP for a second straight
season.
Outlook for this year: Gaines' team
mates and coaches are expecting him
to be one of the team's leaders.
Interesting fact: As a guard, man
aged to lead the Bulldogs with 5.1
rebounds per game.
BILLY
HUMPHREY
No. 31 Guard
Sophomore
6-foot-2,185
pounds
Dacula
Likely role: Backup
Key stat from last year: Was the
only Bulldog to post a double-double
last year (15 points and 10 rebounds
against Eastern Kentucky).
Note from last year: Was named
SEC Freshman of the Week twice in
November.
Outlook for this year: After impress
ing during his freshman run,
Humphrey will again be part of the
rotation of guards.
Interesting fact: Joined Newman in
touring Brazil this past summer.
DAVE BLISS
No. 44 Center
Junior
6-foot-10, 255
pounds
Wausau, Wis.
Likely role: Starter/backup
Key stat from last year: Shot .509
from the field last season.
Note from last year: Battled chronic
back problems but started every game
last season.
Outlook for this year: While the
Bulldogs added depth underneath,
Bliss likely won’t give up his starting
position without a fight. Either way,
Bliss will contribute significantly at the
post.
Interesting fact: The political science
student had the team’s highest GPA
and was named to the Dean’s list. He
is on track to finish his degree in three
years.
Bulldogs have optimistic outlook
By SAM STEINBERG
ssteinber@randb.com
In head coach Dennis Felton’s fourth
year, Georgia basketball is poised to
move forward.
Unfortunately, it seems that a large
part of moving forward as a program will
be getting past recent misfortune.
During the summer, rising junior
guard Kevin Brophy was killed in a July
20 auto accident
“It was just a sudden and tragic way
to lose somebody, and it makes you
think about life itself and how vulnerable
we all are,” Felton said.
Originally a walk-on, Brophy earned a
scholarship by his second season and
helped inspire the team with his deter
mination.
“He was a big motivator for me per
sonally because that was my roommate,”
sophomore guard Mike Mercer said.
“Whenever I had hard times, he was
always there for me.
In honor of Brophy, the team has
adopted the slogan “Do It For Broph.”
Among many tributes to Brophy
throughout the season, a patch with the
motto will be on the team’s jersey.
The Bulldogs, with 10 returning let-
termen, are looking to rise up from the
bottom of the SEC East and reach the
postseason.
That challenge will be great, as the
SEC features defending champs Florida,
Final Four representative LSU and
perennial powerhouse Kentucky.
In addition, the Bulldogs’ out-of-con
ference schedule is highlighted with
meetings against Gonzaga, Wisconsin
and Western Kentucky.
“I think it is the toughest out-of-con
ference schedule since I have been here,”
Newman said.
Helping out Newman in the low
post is new addition Albert Jackson, a
freshman from Earlington, Ky., who will
bang against the SEC’s best in the
paint.
“I feel like I am adjusting pretty good.
It is a little bit different. Physically
everyone is bigger and stronger, but I
just have to go out there and play hard,”
Jackson said.
Felton added that his team has a lot
more “bulk” in the post than in the past.
“We will be able to compete physically
inside better than we ever have since I
have been at Georgia,” said Felton.
“We have been really small and weak
for the most part since I arrived.”
Felton commented that 7-foot sopho
more center Rashaad Singleton is
stronger and more fine-skilled than he
was last season.
If fellow prized post recruit Takais
Brown can return from a suspension due
to academics, the team could be even
better down low.
After the tragedy of the summer,
there is a sense of hope for the first
time in a while regarding Georgia bas
ketball.
TOM O’CONNOR | The Red & Black
A Channing Toney, a junior guard from Snellville, dunks in Georgia's exhibition
win Friday over West Georgia. The final score was 96-52.
The Bulldogs are optimistic that this
season will be one for improvement,
honoring Brophy along the way.
“By doing it for him hopefully we can
live up to the work ethic he displayed.”
Newman said. “If we can work as much
as he worked, hopefully it will push our
game to the next level.”
MIKE
MERCER
No. 33 Guard
Sophomore
6-foot-4, 185
pounds
Snellville
Likely role: Starter/sixth man
Key stat from last year: As a fresh
man, finished second on the team in
scoring, with 11 points per game
Note from last year: Was named to
the SEC’s All-Freshman Team.
Outlook for this year: With a
revamped outside shooting game,
Felton said he expects Mercer to be a
3-point threat. Also Mercer will get
time at point guard this season.
Interesting fact: Spent two weeks
over the summer in the Dominican
Republic as part of a collegiate team.
CHANNING
TONEY
No. 25 Guard
Junior
6-foot-4, 205
pounds
Snellville
Likely role: Bench
Key stat from last year: His team-
best 81 percent free-throw percentage
was a 10-percent drop from his fresh
man campaign
Note from last year: Despite dimin
ished minutes, scored in double fig
ures in all of Georgia's first seven
games.
Outlook for this year: Toney should
manage to find minutes among the
team’s guard rotation.
Interesting fact: His father, Andrew
Toney, played for the Philadelphia
76ers for eight seasons.
ALBERT
JACKSON
No. 34
Forward/center
Freshman
6-foot-10, 250
pounds
Earlington, Ky.
Likely role: Backup/starter
Key stat from last year: Averaged
eight blocks per game in his senior
season at Oak Hill Academy.
Note from last year: Transferred to
play at Virginia high school power
house Oak Hill, who finished the sea
son ranked second in the nation.
Outlook for this year: The prized
recruit will give Georgia a shot blocker
in the post.
Interesting fact: A Kentucky native,
he began his relationship with Felton
in middle school when Felton coached
at Western Kentucky.
TERRANCE
WOODBURY
No. 30 Forward
Sophomore
6-foot-7, 210
pounds
Virginia Beach, Va.
LEVI STUKES
No. 14 Guard
Senior
6-foot-2, 205
pounds
Randallstown, Md.
COREY
BUTLER
No. 23 Guard
Senior
6-foot-3,190
Decatur
TAKAIAS
BROWN
No. 42
Forward/center
Junior
6-foot-8, 250
pounds
Flint, Mich.
RASAAH
SINGLETON
No. 45 Center
Sophomore
7-foot-0, 255
pounds
Campbellton, Fla.
STEVE
NEWMAN
No. 15 Forward
Senior
6-foot-9, 235
pounds
Orlando, Fla.
Likely role: Starter/backup
Key stat from last year: Scored his
career-high 14 points in two games
Note from last year: Back and knee
injuries forced Woodbury to miss more
than half of last season’s games,
Outlook for this year: Woodbury
could be a valuable weapon at small
forward or at the guard position.
Interesting fact: Wears No. 30
because he wore it in middle school.
Likely role: Starter/backup
Key stat from last year: Was the
team’s leading scorer with 11.6 points
per game
Note from last year: Shot .400 per
cent on three-pointers.
Outlook for this year: Improved play
in the low post should open up oppor
tunities outside for the veteran.
Interesting fact: Enters the season 17
points shy of 1,000 for his career.
Likely role: Bench
Key stat from last year: He saw just
one minute of court time all season.
Note from last year: Walked onto the
team midseason.
Outlook for this year: Butler faces a
challenge finding minutes in Georgia’s
backcourt.
Interesting fact: Was a member of
the National Honor Society in high
school.
Likely role: Starter/backup
Key stat from last year: Averaged
19.3 points for Southeastern Illinois
College
Note from last year: A consensus
pick among college basketball publi
cations as one of the top 10 juco
transfers.
Outlook for this year: Brown's play
ing status is on hold as the team sus
pended him for academic reasons.
Likely role: Starter
Key stat from last year: His 43
blocks were second most on the team
last year.
Note from last year: Blocked six
shots in a win over Georgia Tech.
Outlook for this year: A “work in
progress,” Singleton will find minutes
to continue his development.
Interesting fact: Singleton’s mother is
6’2” and played hoops at West Florida.
Likely role: Starter/backup
Key stat from last year: Scored 22-
points, a career-high, against
Savannah State.
Note from last year: Was representa
tive on the 2006 SEC Good Works
Team.
Outlook for this year:
Newman’s minutes could drop, but the
durable senior likely will still work into
the rotation.
ALABAMA
Head coach: Mark Gottfried (eighth sea
son)
Last year’s record: 18-13 (10-6)
Last year’s finish: T-2nd West, NCAA
tournament second round
Returning starters: Four
Three key games: LSU (1/9), at Auburn (1/23), Kentucky
(2/17)
Key players: Steele (Jr., 14.3 ppg), Davidson (Sr., 14.3
ppg, 1.87 blocks pe gm.)
Outlook for this season: Ronald Steele is arguably the
best point guard in the league, if not the country. Look for
Alabama to contend for the SEC West Championship and
make noise in March.
AUBURN
Head coach: Jeff Lebo (third season)
JubJuT Last year’s record: 12-16 (4-12)
Last year’s finish: T-5th West
Returning starters: Five
Three key games: Pittsburgh (12/3),
Texas A&M (12/22), Alabama (1/24)
Key players: G Rasheem Barrett (So., 11.1 ppg), G Frank
Tolbert (Jr., 9.1 ppg, 1.3 steals per gm), F Korvotney Barber
(So., 6.8 ppg, 4.8 reb per gm.)
Outlook for this season: It is hard to smile when you think
of Auburn basketball. Look for the Tigers to be shut out of
the postseason.
ARKANSAS
Head coach: Stan Heath (fifth season)
Last year’s record: 22-10 (10-6)
Last year’s finish: T-2nd West, NCAA
tournament 1st round
Returning starters: Two
Three key games: Alabama (1/6), at Florida (1/9), LSU
(1/20)
Key players: C Steven Hill (Jr., 2.8 blocks per game), F
Charles Thomas (Jr., 9.7 ppg, 5.0 reb per gm)
Outlook for this season: Losing five lettermen will hurt
Arkansas’s chances of returning to the NCAA Tournament.
Razorback fans might want to brace themselves to be on the
bubble come March.
LSU
Head coach: John Brady (10th season)
Last year’s record: 27-9 (14-2)
Last year’s finish: NCAA Final Four, 1st
in SEC West
Returning starters: Four
Three key games: Texas A&M (12/5), at Kentucky (2/20),
Florida (2/24)
Key players: F Glen Davis (Jr., 18.6 ppg, 9.7 reb per gm.),
FTasmin Mitchell (So., 11.4 ppg, 5.6 reb per gm.)
Outlook for this season: Look for Glen Davis to be the man
again this season. The Tigers will go far, but not return to the
Final Four.
FLORIDA
Head coach: Billy Donovan (10th sea
son)
Last year’s record: 33-6 (10-6 SEC)
Last year’s finish: National Champion,
SEC Tournament Champion, 2nd East
Returning starters: Five
Three key games: Kansas (11/25), Ohio State (12/23),
Tennessee (2/3),
Key players: C/F Joakim Noah (Jr,, 14.2 ppg, 7,1 reb per
gm), G Taurean Green (Jr., 13.3 ppg)
Outlook for this season: With Noah and his crew return
ing, it is hard to doubt the Gators’ chances to at least
return to the Final Four.
KENTUCKY
Head coach: Tubby Smith (ninth sea
son)
Last year’s record: 22-13 (9-7)
. Last year’s finish: NCAA tournament
2nd round
Returning starters: Three
Three key games: at North Carolina (12/2), at Louisville
(12/16), LSU (2/20)
Key players: C Randolph Morris (So., 13.3 ppg, 24
blocks), G Ramel Bradley (Jr., 7.9 ppg, 38 assists)
Outlook for this season: With Morris getting to play a full
season, Kentucky can make it to the Sweet 16, but an SEC
Title is still a year away.
GEORGIA
Head Coach: Dennis Felton (fourth sea
son)
Last year’s record: 15-15 (5-11)
Last year’s finish: 6th in the East
Returning starters: Five
Three key games: vs. Gonzaga at Gwinnett Center (12/16),
at Florida (1/7), Tennessee (3/3)
Key players: G Levi Stukes (Sr., 11.6 ppg), G Mike Mercer
(So., 11 ppg)
Outlook for this season: With 10 returning lettermen and
the addition of size in the low post, Georgia will be signifi
cantly better than last season.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Head Coach: Dave Odom (sixth season)
Last year’s record: 23-15 (6-10)
Last year’s finish: NIT Champion
Returning starters: Two
Three key games: Clemson (12/2),
College of Charleston (12/5), Kansas (1/7)
Key players: G Tre’ Kelley (Sr., 12.5 ppg), F Brandon
Wallace (Sr., 7.6 ppg, 6.1 reb per gm)
Outlook for this season: After winning the NIT for the sec
ond straight year, the Gamecocks will be rebuilding this sea
son following the losses of Balkman, Kinsey and Trice.
f OLE MISS
Head coach: Andy Kennedy (first sea-
Last year’s record: 14-16 (4-12)
Last year’s finish: T-5th West
UieMfSS. Returning starters: Four
Three key games: at Mississippi State (1/10), Arkansas
(1/13), Tennessee (1/24)
Key players: G Todd Abernethy (Sr., .422 three-pt percent
age, 8.6 ppg), C Dwayne Curtis (Jr., 13.6 ppg, 7.6 reb per
gm.)
Outlook for this season: There are bound to be some
growing pains in Kennedy’s first year, but don’t be sur
prised if there is a Rebel charge for the postseason.
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Head coach: Rick Stansbury (ninth sea
son)
Last year’s record: 15-15 (5-11)
Last year’s finish: 4th West
Returning starters: Four
Three key games: Winthrop (11/18), Ole Miss (1/10), Florida
(1/24)
Key players: Gordon (So., 13.8 ppg), C/F Charles Rhodes
(Jr., 13.8 ppg, 7.1 reb per gm)
Outlook for this season: After a rebuilding period, this
seems like it could be the year MSU reaches the postseason
again.
TENNESSEE
Head Coach: Bruce Pearl (second sea
son)
Last year’s record: 22-8 (12-4)
Last year’s finish: Reached NCAA tour
nament 2nd round
Returning starters: Two
Three key games: Texas (12/23), at Ohio State (1/13),
Kentucky (2/13)
Key player: Lofton (So., 17.2 ppg), G Dane Bradshaw (Sr.,
56 steals, 7.1 ppg)
Outlook for this season: Losing Watson, Patterson and
Wingate will hurt the Volunteers, but Lofton's shooting can
keep Tennessee in any game.
VANDERBILT,
VANDERBILT
Head Coach: Kevin Stallings (eighth sea
son)
Last year’s record: 17-13 (7-9)
Last year’s finish: 4th East, reached NIT
First Round
Returning starters: Three
Three key games: Georgia Tech (12/9), Tennessee (1/10),
at Kentucky (1/20)
Key players: G Derrick Byars (Sr., 12.4 ppg), G/F Shan
Foster (Jr., 15.9 ppg)
Outlook for this season: Vanderbilt has a solid perimeter
game but will need to find an inside force if they want to
compete.
— profiles and stats complied by Sam Steinberg