Georgia’s run through the 2008 Southeastern Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament provided much-needed positive recognition for head coach Dennis Felton and his program. It’s up to the 2009 version of the Bulldog squad to extend that worst-to-first legacy.

Last seasons’ four wins in as many days finally provided validation for Felton’s five years of work.

“I feel like coach Felton is taking this program to where he wants it to be because it’s his program,” junior Albert Jackson said. “Now I feel like we’re in a situation where he wants it to be and all those things with Georgia of the past are out the window now.”

When practice begins Friday, five incoming freshmen will be added to the roster to combat the departure of senior stalwarts Sundiata Gaines and Dave Bliss.

“We’ve got a team that’s very, very different,” Felton said. “Not only are we going to be relying on some freshmen, a terrific freshmen group, but the face of the team is going to change dramatically when you talk about losing a cornerstone guy like Sundiata Gaines and a cornerstone guy like Dave Bliss. I am just really excited about this group in a lot of ways.”

Others missing from the roster include former starting guard Billy Humphrey, dismissed this summer following a DUI charge – his second-alcohol related arrest – and Jeremy Jacob, who transferred. With the subtraction of vital members from last year’s team, the heralded freshman class will get the opportunity to contribute right away.

“It is a big class and they are looking pretty good,” said sophomore point guard Zac Swansey. “They’ve been here since the summer so we’ve been teaching as [a] whole that way, so when practice starts officially on Friday I feel we’ll be ready to get going.”

The freshman class includes forward Howard “Trey” Thompkins and versatile forward Drazen Zlovaric, a Serbian native, along with guard Dustin Ware.

“Obviously when you count heavily on nine freshmen and sophomores you’re looking at a lack of experience, but I look at it from the standpoint of this is a team that has the potential that can really grow during the season,” Felton said. “We’ll have the opportunities to grow with the kind of schedule that we’ve put together to challenge us right from the very beginning.”

Along with the tough competition within the SEC, Georgia is slated to play Illinois, Virginia Tech, Missouri and Georgia Tech.