Coming off of one of the most impressive Kentucky victories in quite a while the Cats must now turn their attention to the Georgia Bulldogs. The same Georgia Bulldogs that upset the Cats last season with a last second heave by Zac Swansey (that kid you worked in the rec gym) in the SEC Tournament. The same Bulldogs who somehow won like eight games in four days to win the SEC Tournament and earn a spot in the Big Dance. The very same Bulldogs that are coached by Dennis Felton, who many thought was destined to be fired before their miraculous run in Atlanta.

Well, Felton remains in Athens and it looks as if last season’s miracle run may have just prolonged the obvious, which is his dismissal. The Bulldogs currently sit at 9 wins and 8 losses and 0-2 in the conference. Their best win is a 67-66 thriller against Virginia Tech at home. Their worst loss, Loyola-Chicago by 19.

They enter the UK game on a four-game losing streak. Their most recent losses are at home against Tennessee and on the road at Vandy. The Bulldogs are looking for any sort of momentum and a victory over the streaking Wildcats in Athens would really fit the bill.

With the graduation of floor leader Sundiata Gaines and the late dismissal of Billy Humphries, Felton knew he would be forced to look at some of his newcomers for productivity. Although, he suffered a high ankle sprain in October, freshmen Trey Thompkins (6-9, forward) has emerged as the Bulldogs leading rebounder (6.6) and second leading scorer (13.7). Injuries have been a problem for the freshman as he also suffered a knee sprain and a stress fracture which kept him inactive during the summer. Despite all of this, Thompkins could possibly become the first freshman to lead the Bulldogs in scoring since Jumaine Jones did so in 1998. He also leads Georgia in blocked shots (1.5) and shoots just over 43-percent from deep.

For experience the Bulldogs lean on their two senior starters; Terrance Woodbury (6-7, forward) and Corey Butler (6-3, guard). Woodbury is the lone four-year senior on the Georgia roster and he has scored in double figures every game this season. Although, he struggled much of the year last season with his perimeter shot he is remembered for getting hot and carrying the Bulldogs on their miraculous run to the Big Dance. This season he is barely leading the Dawgs in scoring (13.8) and he is shooting 86-percent from the line.

Butler is doing what he did for Georgia last season, whatever they need him to do. After being picked up in January of his freshman year, Butler has really proved his worth to Felton and in doing so has earned a well deserved scholarship for his senior year, after walking on the previous three. This season he is playing just over 30 minutes a game, averaging 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.4 steals, and shooting just over 45-percent from deep.

Inside the Dawgs are led by the junior from Earlington, KY, Albert Jackson (6-10, center). Jackson, who played his first three years of high school ball at Hopkins Central High in Hopkinsville before transferring to Oak Hill for his senior season, has suffered numerous setbacks via injury at Georgia. In last season’s late run opponents saw what a healthy Jackson could do. But, this season he is again being hampered by injuries. This time a sprained ankle, which he suffered in an exhibition game vs. Albany State. He has scored in double figures only twice this season and Georgia really needs him to be more of an offensive weapon to see any type of success.

Sophomore Zac Swansey (6-1, guard) runs the point for the Dawgs a year after ending Kentucky’s SEC tournament run with a last second prayer. Swansey is an adequate point guard who protects the basketball and takes open shots. He leads his team in assists and is fifth in the league in Assist-to-Turnover ratio. He has the ability to knock down big shots, as we have seen, and rescued Georgia from another embarrassing loss by knocking down two threes, one a 30-footer a the horn, in the final :25 seconds to secure a victory against Wofford.

Expect freshman Travis Leslie (6-4, guard) and Dustin Ware (5-11, guard) to see extensive minutes for Georgia as well. Leslie is a tremendous athlete but has experienced ups-and-downs this year. In the second game of the season he scored 23 against Loyola-Chicago, but he has only scored in double figures four times since. Ware, on the other hand, has improved as the season gets older. He has scored in double figures in four of his last seven games and gives the Dawgs a little more offense at the point guard position.

Usually, Felton’s teams are known for their intense man-to-man defense but Tennessee found it way too easy to get the rim last Saturday and I don’t think the Cats should have a problem either. The Dawgs have to play great defensively because they really struggle to score points at times. They average just over 67 points-a-game.

If Kentucky can keep their focus after Tuesday’s performance and if Jodie Meeks can keep his head after being featured on every station and newspaper in America, then I don’t think Cats should have much of a problem in Athens. Plus, I would hope they would have a little revenge on their mind after last year’s fiasco in the SEC tournament.

I normally don’t do this but I’m breathing extra easy these days. Wink says the Cats cruise by 17.

Oh, and I meant to post this earlier in the week but amid all of the Jodie hype I somehow forgot to. Our boy, Ryan Parker, has done it again. This time he has written a tribute to Jodie’s 54-point performance of a beast. Here it is. For more from Ryan Parker, click here.