Why does it seem that whenever the Atlanta media (save Fletcher Proctor) discusses the history of Georgia basketball in an attempt to find any successes, they always gloss over the Jim Harrick years?
I was there from the 1999-00 season through 2002-03 season, the same as old Jimbo.
I was there when the team in the 2000-01 season used four first year players to make the NCAA.
I was there when the team in the 2001-02 season landed a 3-seed after knocking off Kentucky and Florida, then claiming a co-eastern championship. That team won in the first round of the NCAA tourney, then lost a huge lead in the round of 32.
I was there when the team in 2002-03 was a preseason No.8, got as high as #2 before finishing the season No.6 and one of the hottest teams, before putting itself on probation and pulling out of the SEC (would have gotten a bye) and of the NCAA (would have been AT WORST the best 3-seed, likely with just one win in the SEC a 2-seed).
I watched the following year when the leftovers of Harrick's squad still nearly made the NCAA tourney, despite its coach doing his best to screw over the team.
But it seems when Mark Bradley of the AJC talks about UGA basketball history, he can only recall Hugh Durham and Dominique. Terrence Moore of the AJC can only remember Tubby's two years.
Buck and Kincade are the same way on 680. Pollack and Bell didn't mention Harrick's success and Pollack was at Georgia for part of Harrick's run.
If you want to come at me with the bogus class, I ask if we can take a hard look at the classes the USC football team is taking. I wonder if Corey Brewer at Florida was take advanced physics.
If you want to come at me with the Tony Cole situation, I respond with, "Gosh, maybe Harrick WHEN HE WAS AT RHODE ISLAND, shouldn't have recruited Cole. For WHATEVER REASON, I can't see when either of the Harricks gave Cole money during the UGA years.
I just cannot see why Harrick, a guy with a National Championship and who got the Athens campus buzzing in regards to basketball, is railed, yet Bobby Bowden, a guy that has done things 10X worse is loved. Why is that?
Hey ATLANTA, Tubby in his two years here, can we say he really did a lot? He took the team far in the dance ONCE. Cool....he left and the program fell apart. He didn't leave the cupboard stocked like Harrick did. Tubby was only here until he could get a better job. Harrick wanted to be at Georgia and was grooming his son to take over. The Harricks wanted to lay down roots, but something they did in Rhode Island and a garbage class (that is taught EVERYWHERE) did them in. Tubby was ONLY in Athens until Kentucky opened up.
Durham took them to the Final Four. Harrick never had the chance with his BEST TEAM. That was the year that Jarvis went to the Wizards in the top ten but maybe could have gone #3 instead of Carmelo Anthony if UGA and not Da Cuse had won the NCAA tourney. And don't call me foolish for thinking UGA could have won it all that year. They beat #2 Pitt that season, they gave #1 Texas a run. They took out a top 10 Florida team. And they were ROLLING at the end of the season.
I just don't understand why Harrick's teams are not mentioned as some of the best in UGA's history. Just don't get it. Harrick made UGA relevant. ESPN and CBS came to Athens for the big games. Under Felton, the team was lucky to get coverage on Raycom. Harrick showed the Giant that UGA basketball could be, too bad Felton soiled the potential. Maybe the next coach can have Jim Harrick's type of success.
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