You stay classy, Hawaii

Remember Hawaii? That was the team the Dawgs plastered back on New Year's Day. Remember Keenan Jones? He's the DB that took the cheap shot on Mikey Henderson, then got into two or three more skirmishes during the game. The good news for Mr. Jones is that he was granted a fifth year of eligibility. Then there is the bad news. Now he is "suspended indefinately." Why the heck would anybody let that guy play in the first place?

A Tough End

I told myself that anything after winning the SEC Tourney was icing on the cake - just getting to the Big Dance was a huge accomplishment. That said, you always feel like they have one more in them, and it looked that way early in the second half with the Dawgs up by 11. In the end, Xavier took care of business with defense and free throws. When Xavier made their run, the Dawgs couldn't get an open look and couldn't get any penetration, ultimately shooting 3 for 5 (that's right, 3 for 5) from the free-throw line. 27 of the Musketeers' 73 points, on the other hand, came from the line. Just one whine - it seemed like the refs called the game loosely when the Dawgs were fresh, and started calling some ticky-tack stuff once the Dawgs were winded and having trouble keeping up.

So, the question now isn't whether Felton keeps his job, but whether the team can build on this. Losing Yata hurts big time. It'll be up to either the hero of the Kentucky game, Zac Swansey, or newcomer Dustin Ware to fill his shoes. Hopefully, the frontcourt will make improvements from this year, with Albert Jackson and Jeremy Price developing, 4-star recruit Howard Thompkins on the way, and injured freshmen Chris Barnes and Jeremy Jacob returning.

With some consistency out of the point guard position, there is no reason this shouldn't be a bubble team or better next year. It took a monumental collapse in terms of personnel to make the team plummet the way it did this year. Having some depth and production out of the forwards will do wonders. Just keep your fingers crossed that all the pocket knives are removed from the dormrooms and that everyone is going to class.

Worst To First (in 4-days)

If you watched the game, you saw the sign too. Where in the hell did this come from? Like Kevin Bacon from footloose, they can't keep us from dancing!



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- E

Bring on the Mouseketeers!

Beware the Ides of March if you are Kentucky or Mississippi State. I did my part and hoped for a miracle. The Dawgs did theirs and delivered a miracle. Someone forgot to tell the NCAA tournament committee not to leave the backdoor open and a tornado wreaked havoc on the brackets. After the Dawgs knocked off two teams in one day, Arkansas had no chance - Yata (the tourney MVP), Bliss, and the team would not be stopped.

Felton dismantles the Yellow Jackets' home court
after tearing the roof off the Dome.

Next up are the Musketeers of Xavier. This is a beatable #3 seed. They aren't Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl, but they did compile a gaudy record beating up on Atlantic 10 opponents, and I'm sure Georgia is not the #14 seed they wanted to draw. I can't wait for Thursday to get here. No matter what happens from here on, Georgia hoops fans will always remember this one.