Georgia vs. Auburn Hoops: Patience Huh?

Felton's been walking the streets at night
Just trying to coach 'em right
It's hard to score while just standing around
The ball don't like being stuck in a crowd
And the shots don't change but maybe the game
We ain't got time for these droughts
'Cause we need wins
Yeah, yeah well we need wins
Oh, we need wins
Whoa, we need wins
Ooh, it's time.... to start Mercer.
- Guns N Roses

Preseason everyone who follows Georgia Hoops was using the same word to describe the rebuilding process that Dennis Felton has embarked upon -- "Patience."

[Photo: Axl wouldn't have let them stand around.]

We all knew that it would take time to dig us out of the hole left from Jim Harrick's recruiting and NCAA problems. We knew that the first recruiting class was a train wreck and beating UK, UF and the conference elite would be difficult given the talent gap caused by some elements both within and beyond Felton's control.

HOWEVER -- Auburn is in basically the same boat that we are. They are dealing with NCAA sanctions, coaching turnover, players leaving the program and horrible facilities. In fact, Auburn started 4 freshmen in this game.

Georgia entered this game with a huge edge in experience and a modest edge in overall talent. Georgia exited this game with a 66-65 loss because of coaching, effort and our inability to leverage the limited assets that we have. This wasn't a patience game. This was a right now type of game.

In the blow out loss to LSU, the Dawgs started the game down 19-2 without Felton calling a timeout to stop/slow the bleeding. In his defense, he didn't wait that long to call a TO in this one as the Dawgs started down 12-2 until Gaines hit a 3 pointer with 13:54 left in the half.

The first 6 minutes of the game saw Georgia only attempt 6 field goals (missing all of them), and grab only 5 rebounds. While Auburn went 4-8 from the field and grabbed 9 rebounds. Those first 6 minutes saw Georgia AGAIN starting the game without Mike Mercer in the lineup.


[From ESPN.com: Chart shows the dead period at the beginning]

Mercer entered the game, and the Dawgs outscored the Tigers 28-16 to close out the half with Mercer playing most of those minutes.

To start the second half, Georgia again went cold. Again without Mercer in the lineup. We didn't make a field goal for the first 3:21 of the second half while only attempting two shots! During that brief period, we missed 2 FGs, grabbed only 3 rebounds and committed 5 fouls. Auburn went 1-3 from the field, grabbed 5 rebounds, and only committed 1 foul.


You can't beat anyone shooting less than once per minute for long stretches. Especially not when you shoot sub-50% from the field.

In other words, with Mercer -- our most productive player for the past several weeks -- sitting on the bench Georgia consistently finds ways to climb into dark holes that we aren't talented enough to climb out of.

When he's on the bench, we get less ball movement, less penetration to the basket, fewer rebounds, less steals, slower tempo and less overall effort.

Mercer's stat line was 12 points on 5-10 shooting, 5 steals, 2 assists and 3 fouls in 26 minutes. Channing Toney's line was 7 points on 2-5 shooting, no steals, no assists and 5 fouls in 15 minutes.

So I again ask, when does Mercer begin starting games?


Other thoughts on the game:
- UGA was out rebounded by Auburn 42-30. We were beaten up inside by a younger and less experienced group.

- UGA shot 13 Free Throws to AU's 39. Some of that was bad officiating. Most of it is because you don't earn free throw shots standing around the perimeter waiting on the shot clock to expire.

- UGA only had 16 turnovers to Auburn 24.

- Stukes played very well, but he continues to settle for 3 point shots. 9 of his twelve shots were beyond the arc. Although in fairness to Levi, he was much more accurate from longer range.

The season goes on.

pwd

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