Here are some numbers of interest from Georgia's last five losses:
Minnesota
Early deficit: 23-10 after ten minutes
Final margin: 4 points
Gonzaga
Early deficit: 21-8 after 8 minutes
Final margin: 12 points
Georgia Tech
Early deficit: 14-5 after 8 minutes
Final margin: 7
Louisiana Tech Early deficit: 20-4 after 6 minutes
Final margin: 8
Kentucky
Early deficit: 14-4 after 5 minutes
Final margin: 12
It's not hard to notice a pattern. In their last five losses, Georgia has come out slow and dug themselves a large hole. Even five minutes in, a 10-point deficit is not small when you're playing a competent basketball team, let along Gonzaga or Kentucky. The silver lining, if there is one, is that Georgia has been winning the second half, but that's small consolation in a loss.
I don't claim to have an answer here, but it's hard not to point the finger at Mark Fox because it just feels like a coaching issue (remember, I'm a fan, not a coach, so take everything I say with a grain of salt). Other teams are ready to play from the opening tip, and Georgia is not, particularly at the defensive end.
Fix that problem and there is still a chance to have a special season. It's at least something to keep an eye on as Georgia plays some critical non-conference games to close out 2014.
Minnesota
Early deficit: 23-10 after ten minutes
Final margin: 4 points
Gonzaga
Early deficit: 21-8 after 8 minutes
Final margin: 12 points
Georgia Tech
Early deficit: 14-5 after 8 minutes
Final margin: 7
Louisiana Tech Early deficit: 20-4 after 6 minutes
Final margin: 8
Kentucky
Early deficit: 14-4 after 5 minutes
Final margin: 12
It's not hard to notice a pattern. In their last five losses, Georgia has come out slow and dug themselves a large hole. Even five minutes in, a 10-point deficit is not small when you're playing a competent basketball team, let along Gonzaga or Kentucky. The silver lining, if there is one, is that Georgia has been winning the second half, but that's small consolation in a loss.
I don't claim to have an answer here, but it's hard not to point the finger at Mark Fox because it just feels like a coaching issue (remember, I'm a fan, not a coach, so take everything I say with a grain of salt). Other teams are ready to play from the opening tip, and Georgia is not, particularly at the defensive end.
Fix that problem and there is still a chance to have a special season. It's at least something to keep an eye on as Georgia plays some critical non-conference games to close out 2014.
