Get your first look at the 2017 Georgia basketball team this weekend
Georgia basketball meets Michigan State this Sunday in Grand Rapids, Michigan to raise money for Hurricane Irma relief efforts.
The 2017 Georgia basketball season tips-off on November 10th against Bryant. But the Bulldogs will be in action this Sunday in Grand Rapids, Michigan against the Michigan State Spartans. Both schools will split the money evenly. Georgia will donate to the Red Cross of Georgia while the Spartans will donate to Red Cross International.
Both Georgia head coach Mark Fox and Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo voiced their pleasure in meeting each other in an exhibition game for a good cause.
“This is a unique opportunity allowed this year by the NCAA to help with disaster relief,” Fox said via Dawgnation. “I want to thank Coach Izzo and the administration of MSU for helping to put this together so quickly.”
"“This is a great opportunity for our programs to help make an impact with the relief and rebuilding efforts in areas that were affected by this summer’s hurricanes. We look forward to playing back in Grand Rapids where we have a strong fan base. They’ll see us play a very good Georgia team that is very well coached and features a great player in Yante Maten, who’s returning to his home state. Combining a competitive basketball game with a worthy cause makes for an outstanding event.” – Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo"
Not only will this game help the thousands of Americans affected by Hurricane Irma, it will also give us an idea of what to expect from the 2017 Georgia basketball team. Michigan State under Izzo has remained a powerhouse for over 20 years.
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The Spartans has played in 31 NCAA Tournaments and 21 since Izzo became head coach in 1995. They ended the season in the Final Four seven times since then, finished as runner-ups in 2009 and they won the National Championship in 2000. Michigan State also won the Big 10 Tournament five times in that same span of time.
The Spartans suffered a down season last year, finishing 20-15. But they still made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. They’re expected to bounce back in a big way this year. They’re ranked no. 2 in the preseason Coaches Poll.
Georgia however lacks the stories history that Michigan State has. However, the Bulldogs have Yante Maten and a team that is nearly intact from last season. Up and down, this is the most talent Fox has coached in Athens since he arrived in 2009.
There’s been no official indications, but it’s likely that Fox will enter the 2017-18 season on the hot seat. He’s done a great job thus far of turning Georgia into a program that constantly plays in the post season. But he’s yet to prove he can take Georgia to the NCAA Tournament on a consistent basis.
Next: Georgia football plans on taking care of business this Saturday
With the talent this team has, fans will be disappointed if Georgia isn’t a part of March Madness at the end of the season. A good showing in a hostile environment will prove that Georgia is on track for a banner season. A bad performance will not instill much confidence however.