Huge loss for Georgia…
Posted by hoopsknowitall on October 11, 2007
Due to academic problems (aka: skipping class), two absolutely vital Georgia players have received massive suspensions.
Mike Mercer, the Bulldogs’ star guard – who suffered an ACL tear last season – will be suspended 15 games AFTER he receives his medical release. This could mean the Bulldogs losing Mercer for the remainder of the season – or close to it – and thus badly effect their chances at an NCAA bid and competing in the East. If Mercer is gone much more than 15 games, Felton will be back in the cellar of the SEC and experiencing an ever-heating coaching seat.
Takais Brown led the Bulldogs in scoring last season (14.2 ppg), and shot a team-leading 56.6%. Brown is suspended for nine games, beginning with the first exhibition game (although that hasn’t been confirmed) and will make games like Wake Forest, Gonzaga, and Georgia Tech that much more difficult before the conference slate. And for the record, this will force Brown to miss nearly half of his senior season of basketball.
Needless to mention the amount of practice these two will be missing, and the chance to improve team chemistry lost.
This will prove a nearly insurmountable obstacle for Felton this season…could be a long one for the Dogs.
Extra P. said
Man… this is why I hate writing preseason previews. One day after I posted my choices, this news comes down. So I have the ethical decision to make – do I go back and change my predictions, or do I let it stand as “the best we knew at that time”. I think I’ll let it stand and take my lumps in the comment field.
Thanks for dropping by Storming the Floor. I’ve added you to the blogroll. Your up-close take on the SEC will be required reading this season.
drew said
3 points:
1. Georgia is not dependent on Mercer in order to wins games. They beat Auburn twice, Miss St and Fresno St without him last hear. There are also 5 new freshmen who will help offset the loss.
2. If the supensions remain the same, Takais Brown will be back for the 2nd game of the Rainbow Classic, so he will not miss the Gonzaga or Georgia Tech games as you stated. I expect Georgia will go 7-1 in the games he misses.
3. From everything I’ve read these players are being suspended for games, not practice.
These suspension are absolutely surmountable.
hoopsknowitall said
Extra P…I added you as well. Thanks for the kind words – I thoroughly enjoy the blog.
Drew, you make a good case in #1. However, the Bulldogs will be more dependant this season on Mercer than they were last season. My prediction(s) were based largely on Georgia returning Mercer.
You’re right about Brown not missing those games, but missing the first nine (counting or not the exhibition games, who knows) will hurt seriously. Basketball is all about momentum.
Any time I’ve ever seen players suspended from the team, it included practice. I could certainly be wrong, however.
I do feel as if this news has taken Georgia from top 3 in the East to bottom 2 or so.
drew said
Yea, with this kind of loss any reasonable prognisticator would put Georgia in the bottom-tier. I still think they can overcome it, but that will have to be proven on the court.
hoopsknowitall said
Couldn’t agree more. Felton, also, has yet to prove to me he can coach a team above their potential. Until he does so, I’ll be predicting Georgia about where they should be in comparison to their talent and experience level.
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