Although the Georgia women’s basketball team has not had the success that it is accustomed to the past few seasons, the Lady Dogs will not be shying away from tough competition for the 2009-10 season.

Georgia will play its usual tough competition in the Southeastern Conference, including Tennessee and Louisiana State, but the Lady Dogs are looking at a large monster in their face for the season opener.

Oklahoma, a perennial power and 2009 Final Four participant, looms large as the season opener on Nov. 15, when Georgia introduces six freshmen onto the court for their first game.

Two games later the Lady Dogs will face another power in the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The Lady Dogs will also have its annual meeting with Georgia Tech before games with the likes of Virginia and Clemson.

“I have always felt like playing against that kind of competition makes you stronger, makes you better. It’s a good challenge,” head coach Andy Landers said. “I think it’s something that our players look forward to.”

Fortunately, Georgia will play every team mentioned, except Clemson, on the hardwood of Stegeman Coliseum. But Landers doesn’t know if that will benefit his team or not.

“[Home court advantage] doesn’t help you beat them, it just puts you in an advantageous position from the standpoint of being rested and being familiar with your surroundings,” Landers said.

Diamond Dogs happy to have key pitchers back for 2010 season

Monday’s midnight deadline for players drafted in this year’s Major League Baseball draft to sign major league contracts was exciting for many, but for the Diamond Dogs, everything worked out as planned.

Georgia led the nation in this year’s draft having 11 players drafted – a school record – eight of which signed with a major league club. Fortunately for the Diamond Dogs, the three returning are senior pitchers Jeff Walters, Alex McRee and Justin Earls.

Though they will lose some power in the lineup after first baseman Rich Poythress and catchers Bryce Massanari & Joey Lewis departed for the pros, Georgia is looking to those who returned to anchor a deep pitching rotation.

“One plus for our 2010 team will be our experience on the mound,” head coach Dave Perno told UGA Sports Communications. “We’re going to lean on our veterans.”

Poythress earned the triple crown for Georgia which led him to be selected 51st overall by the Seattle Mariners. Georgia also lost Matt Cerione Michael Demperio, Trevor Holder, Dean Weaver and Will Harvill.

Colwill continues diving success at national level

Former Georgia diver Chris Colwill, a three-time collegiate national champion while at the University, is once again a national champion.

Colwill, who graduated in 2008, teamed up with Jevon Tarantino to win the synchronized men’s 3-meter springboard title last week at the AT&T National Diving Championships in Tallahassee, Fla.

Colwill added that win to his superb career, which includes national diver of the year while in college and competing in the Olympics in Beijing.