The Mark Fox era will officially begin today as the men’s basketball team hits the floor for its first practice of the season, welcoming in a new scheme and regime.

After a disappointing season last year, which resulted in a 12-20 record and the ultimate dismissal of ex-coach Dennis Felton, the Bulldogs are looking forward to beginning their season.

“We’re excited about the start of our season, to do what we all love to do, to get in a gym and coach our team,” Fox said of the team’s first practice. “All the hard work is done and the games are right around the corner, so I do think our players are starting to realize it’s that time of the year, and we’re excited about the approach that they’re taking, and we’re excited with what we can do with Georgia basketball.”

When the Dogs’ open practice today, they will do so at almost 100 percent health – a rarity in college basketball. Although Fox admitted they’ve had some “dinks here and there,” he said he doesn’t expect anyone to miss any practice time, even senior leader Albert Jackson, who is currently in a cast after dislocating his finger. Despite the dislocated finger, which Fox says caused a small fracture in Jackson’s hand, Jackson hasn’t missed a single workout and isn’t expected to miss any future time. Sophomore Travis Leslie is also expected to return from academic issues for the season.

Equestrian to host one of nation’s best

After knocking Texas A&M out of the championship round of the Varsity National Equestrian Championships last year, the defending national champion Georgia equestrian team welcomes the rival Aggies to town, hosting them for a meet on Saturday at High Point Farm, the team’s equestrian complex, in Bishop. The Bulldogs lost to Texas Christian in their opening meet of the season, but have since reeled off consecutive victories and appear primed and ready to welcome one of the premier teams in the country to town.

Cross country heads back to the Hoosier state

Following a 14th and 15th place finish, respectively, at the Notre Dame Invitational two weeks ago, the Georgia men’s and women’s cross country teams go to Indiana for the second straight meet at the NCAA Pre-Nationals in Terre Haute.