Winthrop: post mortem

I admit, my heart sank when I realized Kenny Gaines hadn't started (it took me a few minutes of game time to notice he wasn't out there).  Not just because it made me feel worse about our chances, but also because the injury bug just hasn't been fair to Kenny.  Here's hoping it's nothing too serious:

• Another fast start for Georgia.  I hope this becomes a trend.
• And a fast start after halftime.  The 7-0 run to start the second half was as important to the outcome as anything else.
• What else is there to say about Yante Maten at this point?  He's pretty much doing everything, and Winthrop had no answer for him.
• Actually, I do have something else to say: Maten is clearly a guy who decided to take pride in his free throw shooting, and look what has happened.  Last year he was a 65% FT shooter, a number that ticked up as the year went on.  This year he's shooting 80%, and he's shooting 88% in the last 4 games.  It kept Georgia in the Seton Hall game, it won the Oakland game, and it helped last night.  It matters.
• The game is just so much easier when you hit your free throws.  Georgia made 29(!) of them last night.  If they hit their normal percentage, it would have been 5 less points, and it would have been a completely different game.
• I really liked the lineup with J.J. Frazier and Turtle Jackson in the game together.  Maybe a little sneak peek at next year.
• Jackson looks quick and confident out there.  Good news, since he probably has no idea what he's doing.  His shots aren't falling yet, but that will come in time.
• As for Frazier's shots, I think they'll start falling too.  He's getting good looks, and he needs to stay confident.  That's generally not a problem for shooters.
• How long do you think it's been since Charles Mann missed two bunnies at the rim like that?  Middle school?  It didn't cost the team, so shake it off.  His 9/10 performance at the FT line suggests that it didn't bother him all that much.
• He's only played 5 minutes so far, but you can tell how Derek Ogbeide is going to change things when he's healthy.  He's a grown man.
• Good for Mark Fox for letting the young guys play through some adversity.  When Roderick Perkins got hot and sparked that 8-0 run, Fox let his guys fight through it.  That kind of thing is going to pay off down the road.
• In fact, I appreciated his treatment of all the freshmen last night.  Mike Edwards had more minutes than Kessler, and should really be taking that starting spot (unless Ogbeide gets it first) before long.
• Toe looks more and more comfortable too, but oy vey, those free throws...
• Keon Johnson was as good as advertised.  Georgia was in his business all night and he still found a way to get 21 points.
• When the flagrant 1 was called on Okeke, I stood up and cheered.  It was a big play, and I was excited.  The guy behind me smacked me in the back and yelled at me to sit down so he could see.  He is a Georgia fan.
• Worse, he is a season ticket holder, so I'm stuck with him.  Time to win and get some fresh fans in the doors...and hopefully get rid of some of the old ones.  Oh, and I'll keep standing when I get excited.  If you want to sit through the game, SEC Network has you covered.

Good win over an average team.  Now things get real again.  Georgia Tech comes to town having beaten Georgia 4 times in a row.  They'll be favored to get a fifth.  If Georgia has any designs on an NCAA Tournament berth, the next 3 games are probably must-wins.

Get your butt to Stegeman if you can.  More Georgia fans means less Tech fans.  And by God, stand up and cheer when something exciting happens.