Georgia Head Coach Mark Fox, “Stunned” to be Facing a #7 Seed Michigan State in Round One

Time Life Warner Arena Charlotte, NC The Georgia Bulldogs are a #10 seed when they tip off against Michigan State tomorrow afternoon here in Charlotte. The

Time Life Warner Arena

Charlotte, NC

The Georgia Bulldogs are a #10 seed when they tip off against Michigan State tomorrow afternoon here in Charlotte. The Bulldogs are 20-11 and certainly a formidable foe for the Spartans. But for UGA head coach Mark Fox he faces the Spartans stunned in this first round tilt.

“Great respect for Coach Izzo, not only for the success that he's had but he's so good are for the game of college basketball. Our game needs more people like him and I was stunned that they ended up at a 7 seed. They've got a great team and I thought they would be seeded a little better than that. So we know we have our hands full.”

For senior Georgia forward Nemanja Djurich it is about being stunned when it comes to MSU. It’s about respect for them and he has it. He said about his thoughts when he learned he was facing Izzo and his Spartans, “we know they're a great team, they're very well coached and they have tradition behind them and a lot of appearances in the tournament, and it's -- it comes with experience. But we're also a determined team and we're ready for a challenge, and they're a great team. But we certainly have been through some tough times and this is another road game for us, which we are very used to. Michigan State's a great team but we're up for a challenge.”

Georgia’s other well respect forward Marcus Thornton shared the respect of his teammates for the Spartans. “Michigan State is obviously a great program with a great tradition of being successful not just throughout the season, but in March, we're aware of that and we're aware of how great a coach Izzo is, so it will be a great challenge for us and we're definitely looking forward to the opportunity.”

Coach Fox talked about the depth of respect he has for Izzo and the respect nationally among other coaches for him. “I can't remember when we first met. I think I coached him when I was an assistant at Kansas State, I think they came to Manhattan and played years ago, now that I think about it. I have great respect for Coach Izzo. I told our local media earlier this week that if my son was ever fortunate to play for Coach Izzo, I would stand up and cheer. He's what's good about the game. We have a football coach at Georgia named Mark Richt that's who they would want him to play for. I think most college basketball coaches feel that way about Coach Izzo.”

The Biggest question for Georgia is the health of junior guard Kenny Gaines. Gaines injured missed time in the SEC Tournament, but Fox said, “Well, he was not cleared to practice early in the week, we let him shoot some balls yesterday and move around a little bit. So we anticipate that he'll play. We'll keep our fingers crossed that he'll continue to get a little better each day but it's not an ideal situation but he's a tough kid and he'll do the best he can.”

Fox went on to add about his star, “He's doing everything he can. We got to the hotel, I don't know, 10:00 or something like night, he had treatment last night, he had it this morning before breakfast. Our trainers have done a great job trying to get him back. I anticipate that we'll be able to use him, but it's just part of the game and we have to deal with it.”

One factor in this game is going to be the play of the MSU bigs. Matt Costello and Gavin Schilling are needed in this game. The Bulldogs have plenty of size and those two are a key matchup. Djurisic said, “They're great down low in the post, they have great players, they're very tough, athletic. Certainly going to be a good match-up for us. But we have the size and we have the ability to guard them well and I think Marcus and myself and the rest of the big guys on our team are ready for the challenge..

Thornton added about the Spartans big men, “The word that I think of when I see them is tough, they have a very tough bunch down there. It will be quite a match-up for us. Obviously I think they're very good players and size-wise we'll match-up pretty well. So it will be a good match-up.”

Tough is a good word for these two teams. Tomorrow at 12:40 ET we will learn who is the toughest here in Charlotte.