The Georgia men's basketball team started hot at the beginning of last season but began to falter as the season went on. Much blame was put on the shoulders of former coach Mark Fox and some underperforming players. Now, after losing the team's top scorer and undisputed best player, there are a lot of questions surrounding the program. Here are a few reasons to be excited for the upcoming basketball season which tips on on November 9th.
Photo by: Griffin Callaghan
1. Tom Crean
At the end of last season, the athletic department decided to part ways with longtime head coach Mark Fox. The move was almost universally supported as everyone knew the time had come to make a change. The program was struggling to go further than it had in previous years and it did not seem like Fox was the man to do it.
In comes former Marquette and Louisville product. At Marquette, Crean recruited and developed Dwayne Wade into an NBA prospect who went on the become great. He did the same with, NBA All-Star, Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers at Indiana. Oladipo is currently in his 6th year in the league.
Something that Georgia has been lacking in recent years has been recruiting. Recruiting is Crean's specialty.
As far as this season goes, Crean will take full control of this team and build it into a powerful and successful program just as he did at both Indiana and Marquette. He brings with him, lofty expectations not only by both his superiors and the fans, but for himself. His biggest goal for this year is to take the Dawgs back to the NCAA Tournament.
Crean has already made attempts to get the student body more involved. That is a great sign from the new head man.
Photo by: Griffin Callaghan
2. Nicolas Claxton
Its been a long time since the Georgia basketball team has had someone with as much potential at the center position as Claxton. He is the tallest player on the team by at least two inches as he measures at 6 feet 11 inches. Over the offseason, the focus for him has been hitting the weight room so he can become strong enough to play consistent defense. Last season as a freshman, Claxton struggled to defend stronger players which drastically reduced his opportunities for playing time.
There will be a battle going into the season between Claxton and Derek Ogbeide for who claims the starting job. Ogbeide has been the majority starter for the past two seasons but it might be time for someone to come in and take that spot from him.
3. NCAA Tournament
There has been tons of buzz about how the expectations for this team are growing by day. We are all waiting for Georgia to make a return to the madness that takes place in March. Last year's team was close but didn't quite make the cut. This year could be different. A highly touted coach, a solid group of new players, and all the momentum to go along with that.
The first game of the season will be here before we know it. Watch as a new, more successful, era of Georgia basketball is about to begin.
