Rapid reaction: Kentucky 79, Georgia 49
March, 1, 2012
3/01/12
11:27
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
How the game was won: Top-ranked Kentucky (29-1, 15-0 SEC) steadily built a 37-19 halftime lead on senior night and used a 20-3 run early in the second half to remove any hope of a comeback for Georgia (13-16, 4-11). The Wildcats’ 79-49 win marks the widest margin of defeat for a Mark Fox-coached Georgia team, replacing an 89-61 loss at Missouri in 2010 and the largest SEC loss, replacing a 70-48 loss at Florida this season.
Stat of the game: 15. Kentucky connected on a season-best 15 3-pointers, including a run of six consecutive made 3-pointers in the second half as the Wildcats pulled away to lead by as many as 41 points. Kentucky finished 15-for-27 from 3-point range, while Georgia was 3-for-19.
Player of the game: Darius Miller. One of only two seniors on the Kentucky roster, Miller made the most of his final appearance at Rupp Arena. He went 5-for-9 from 3-point range and led the Wildcats with 17 points.
What it means: Kentucky cruised to its 21st straight victory, continuing one of the most dominant runs by an SEC team in recent memory. The Wildcats let Georgia hang around for two-thirds of the game before pulling away for a 57-44 win earlier this season in Athens. There were no such dramatics Thursday for a Georgia club that upset Florida in its last game. The highlight for Georgia was that Donte Williams matched a career high with 17 points and grabbed six rebounds.
Record performance: Kentucky extended the nation’s longest winning streak in its 52nd consecutive game at Rupp Arena. The Wildcats have never lost at home under coach John Calipari.
Malcolm Mitchell ready to try defense, too
March, 1, 2012
3/01/12
5:25
PM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
Malcolm Mitchell just wants to stay on the field and play.
That's why Georgia's top receiver and the SEC's fourth-leading receiver in 2011 approached Bulldogs coach Mark Richt about getting a shot at cornerback this spring. In fact, he started talking about it during the week leading up to the Outback Bowl, but really got serious with his thoughts when he went to speak with Richt a week after the bowl game.
"It's something I want to do, not just something that just popped up," Mitchell said Thursday.
The original conversation with Richt ended with Mitchell's coach being intrigued, but not sold on the idea of his best offensive weapon taking some reps on the defensive side of the ball. After all, he was recruited to play either side while in high school, so Mitchell would catch on fast, but that's Richt's top skill player and taking reps away from him wouldn't be ideal.
However, Richt was swayed to give Mitchell a chance to become the reincarnation of Georgia great Champ Bailey after Georgia took so many hits to the corner position. Transfers, dismissals, the signing of just one defensive back in Georgia's 2012 recruiting class and the suspension of starter Sanders Commings meant the Bulldogs would begin the fall short-handed at cornerback.
Mitchell will get his chance this spring and believes that one way or the other a decision about the fall will likely come at the end of spring practice. It might take Mitchell a little time to regain his defensive legs, but he's excited for the opportunity because he wants to do more for his team in 2012.
That's why Georgia's top receiver and the SEC's fourth-leading receiver in 2011 approached Bulldogs coach Mark Richt about getting a shot at cornerback this spring. In fact, he started talking about it during the week leading up to the Outback Bowl, but really got serious with his thoughts when he went to speak with Richt a week after the bowl game.
"It's something I want to do, not just something that just popped up," Mitchell said Thursday.
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Todd Kirkland/Icon SMIGeorgia's Malcolm Mitchell has shown that he has the athletic ability to play on both sides of the ball.
Todd Kirkland/Icon SMIGeorgia's Malcolm Mitchell has shown that he has the athletic ability to play on both sides of the ball.However, Richt was swayed to give Mitchell a chance to become the reincarnation of Georgia great Champ Bailey after Georgia took so many hits to the corner position. Transfers, dismissals, the signing of just one defensive back in Georgia's 2012 recruiting class and the suspension of starter Sanders Commings meant the Bulldogs would begin the fall short-handed at cornerback.
Mitchell will get his chance this spring and believes that one way or the other a decision about the fall will likely come at the end of spring practice. It might take Mitchell a little time to regain his defensive legs, but he's excited for the opportunity because he wants to do more for his team in 2012.
Safety Vonn Bell: Texas offer ‘means a lot’ 
March, 1, 2012
3/01/12
1:33
PM ET
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
ESPNU Watch List safety Vonn Bell has become one of the nation’s hottest commodities since Georgia offered him his first scholarship in January.
“Everything has been blowing up since,” he said. “I had a good year last year and play in one of the toughest states in the country. There is some good competition out there and I stepped my game up to a different level, and proved that I could play anywhere in the country.”
Bell recorded 180 tackles and six interceptions last season, and Texas took notice by offering him a scholarship last week. The 6-foot, 190-pound Bell had never spoken to any member of Texas’ coaching staff before Feb. 23, but they liked him enough to offer him that day.
“Everything has been blowing up since,” he said. “I had a good year last year and play in one of the toughest states in the country. There is some good competition out there and I stepped my game up to a different level, and proved that I could play anywhere in the country.”
Bell recorded 180 tackles and six interceptions last season, and Texas took notice by offering him a scholarship last week. The 6-foot, 190-pound Bell had never spoken to any member of Texas’ coaching staff before Feb. 23, but they liked him enough to offer him that day.
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OT Trenton Brown hopes to add Texas offer
March, 1, 2012
3/01/12
1:24
PM ET
By
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
The Longhorns are still trying to figure out what offensive linemen to offer in 2013 aside from Kent Perkins, who has committed, and Darius James, who might do so soon.
One player that would love to be in the mix is Trenton Brown (Albany, Ga./Georgia Military College).
“I like Texas. It’s home really,” Brown said. “My mom is from Texas and I was born in Austin. My aunt stays in Austin about 10 minutes away from the stadium, and my grandpa lives in Bastrop.”
One player that would love to be in the mix is Trenton Brown (Albany, Ga./Georgia Military College).
“I like Texas. It’s home really,” Brown said. “My mom is from Texas and I was born in Austin. My aunt stays in Austin about 10 minutes away from the stadium, and my grandpa lives in Bastrop.”
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Tony Parker, a senior at Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.), is the No. 21 player in the Class of 2012 and one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation, with UConn, Duke, UCLA, Ohio State, Georgetown, Memphis, Kentucky and Kansas all in the running for his services. He has agreed to chronicle the remainder of his final season and recruiting experiences leading up to his decision through a blog with ESPNHS. Read it here.
Former Georgia Bulldogs WR Hines Ward, one of the Pittsburgh Steelers' most decorated receivers, will be released by the NFL team at some point in the next few weeks, according to reports. Read more here.
And ESPN's Jamison Hensley writes: Ward's release shows the painful side of sports, but the Steelers made the right call by deciding to release him.
Dogs set to visit streaking Wildcats
February, 29, 2012
2/29/12
6:50
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
ATHENS, Ga. -- Mark Fox didn’t exactly give a straight answer Wednesday when asked whether last Saturday’s upset win against No. 16 Florida brought a new confidence to his team.
“A win Thursday would give you great confidence,” Fox said with a grin.
The possibility of Fox’s Georgia club (13-15, 4-10 SEC) winning Thursday’s 9 p.m. ET game at Kentucky is not necessarily laughable, but it certainly seems unlikely.
“A win Thursday would give you great confidence,” Fox said with a grin.
The possibility of Fox’s Georgia club (13-15, 4-10 SEC) winning Thursday’s 9 p.m. ET game at Kentucky is not necessarily laughable, but it certainly seems unlikely.
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UGA baseball up to No. 7 in power poll
February, 29, 2012
2/29/12
5:56
PM ET
By
David Ching | ESPN.com
Undefeated Georgia moved up to seventh in this week's ESPN college baseball power rankings.
The Bulldogs (8-0) came into today's game against Western Carolina off consecutive shutouts against Winthrop on Sunday and Savannah State on Tuesday. It was the first time since 1986 that Georgia pitchers posted back-to-back shutouts.
Georgia -- ranked 10th in this week's USA Today/ESPN coaches poll -- already has three shutouts this season after posting two in the entire 2011 season.
The Bulldogs (8-0) came into today's game against Western Carolina off consecutive shutouts against Winthrop on Sunday and Savannah State on Tuesday. It was the first time since 1986 that Georgia pitchers posted back-to-back shutouts.
Georgia -- ranked 10th in this week's USA Today/ESPN coaches poll -- already has three shutouts this season after posting two in the entire 2011 season.
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DE Jalen Stevens checks out Georgia
February, 29, 2012
2/29/12
1:07
PM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham didn’t know who the 6-foot-4, 220-pound defensive end was, the one who had traveled to Athens with top wide receiver target Tramel Terry (Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek) for a campus visit this past weekend. That changed pretty quickly.
“I talked to the defensive coordinator,” said Jalen Stevens (Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek). “He didn’t know who I was until I told him. He asked me what I thought about Georgia football and I said it was pretty good. He told me I would be a good fit at outside linebacker. And Coach [John] Lilly told me he would like to see me on my feet since I played middle linebacker this year. He said he definitely wants me to come to Dawg Night.”
Stevens, who recently ran a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash, didn’t know much about Georgia, either.
“I talked to the defensive coordinator,” said Jalen Stevens (Goose Creek, S.C./Goose Creek). “He didn’t know who I was until I told him. He asked me what I thought about Georgia football and I said it was pretty good. He told me I would be a good fit at outside linebacker. And Coach [John] Lilly told me he would like to see me on my feet since I played middle linebacker this year. He said he definitely wants me to come to Dawg Night.”
Stevens, who recently ran a 4.58 in the 40-yard dash, didn’t know much about Georgia, either.
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Sophomore LB gets second SEC offer
February, 28, 2012
2/28/12
6:49
PM ET
By
Jamie Newberg | ESPN.com
Ole Miss. became the second school to offer sophomore linebacker Raekwon McMillian (Hinesville, Ga./Liberty County), joining South Carolina.
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Georgia RB commit set for 'The Opening'
February, 28, 2012
2/28/12
2:34
PM ET
By DawgNation staff | ESPN.com
Georgia running back commit and ESPNU Watch List prospect Derrick Henry dominated Nike's SPARQ combine in Orlando, Fla. on Sunday and posted the 2012 tour's top score with a 138.03 through four events. Here he receives his invitation to Nike's elite summer showcase "The Opening" and talks about his recruitment and pledge to the Bulldogs.Commitment No. 7 a big one for Georgia
February, 28, 2012
2/28/12
11:56
AM ET
By
Kipp Adams | ESPN.com
The University of Georgia picked up its seventh commitment of the 2013 class Tuesday, and it might end up being the biggest in the class.
With VID (Very Important Dawg) Day only a few days away, one of the top prospects in the Peach State made the call to become a Bulldog. The coaching staff was only hoping to confirm his attendance on Saturday, but when they picked up the phone, they got great news from a key target at a position of need.
As defensive lineman Deandre Johnson (Newnan, Ga./Northgate) thought about it last night with his family, he discusses his intentions of committing to Georgia. The Johnson household was ecstatic about it, so this morning, Johnson got on the phone to the coaches in Athens.
With VID (Very Important Dawg) Day only a few days away, one of the top prospects in the Peach State made the call to become a Bulldog. The coaching staff was only hoping to confirm his attendance on Saturday, but when they picked up the phone, they got great news from a key target at a position of need.
As defensive lineman Deandre Johnson (Newnan, Ga./Northgate) thought about it last night with his family, he discusses his intentions of committing to Georgia. The Johnson household was ecstatic about it, so this morning, Johnson got on the phone to the coaches in Athens.
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OL Jordan Harris may be next big name
February, 28, 2012
2/28/12
11:06
AM ET
By
Radi Nabulsi | ESPN.com
A number of 2013 prospects in Georgia have seen their stock skyrocket practically overnight. On Monday they have zero offers then but by the time Saturday rolls around they have six SEC offers. Some recent examples include Antonio Riles (Lawrenceville, Ga./Archer), Naim Mustafaa (Alpharetta, Ga./Alpharetta) and Vonn Bell (Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland). That trio exploded on the recruiting scene and now has close to 30 offers combined.
So who will be the next Peach State prospect to figuratively blow up?
According to Dutchtown head coach Jason Galt, it could very well be offensive lineman Jordan Harris (Hampton, Ga./Dutchtown).
So who will be the next Peach State prospect to figuratively blow up?
According to Dutchtown head coach Jason Galt, it could very well be offensive lineman Jordan Harris (Hampton, Ga./Dutchtown).
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
David Ching
David Ching came to ESPN.com in 2011 after six years covering UGA for the Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer and Athens (Ga.) Banner-Herald. He lives in Athens. Email him at davidchingespn@gmail.com.
Radi Nabulsi
Radi Nabulsi joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Georgia for Rivals.com for four years and for the UGA Athletic Association since 1993. Nabulsi is a graduate of the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and lives in Athens. He can be reached at radinabulsiespn@gmail.com.
Kipp Adams
Kipp Adams joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering University of Georgia football and basketball recruiting for five years at Rivals.com. He lives in Sandy Springs, Ga., and enjoys spending time with his two sons. He can be reached at kippadamsespn@gmail.com.