University of Georgia Athletics
Dog Notes: Another Frazier Jaw-Dropper
March 01, 2017 | Men's Basketball
By John Frierson
UGAAA Staff Writer
For the first 11 minutes of Wednesday night's dramatic 79-78 win over Auburn, Georgia's J.J. Frazier was all but invisible at the offensive end. You couldn't take your eyes off him the rest of the game.
It was Senior Night at Stegeman Coliseum and Frazier, in perhaps his final game on his home floor, was a very quiet 0-for-1 from the field as the game clock showed 9:00 to play in the opening half. Then he got a steal and hit a 3-pointer, and off he went.
By the end, when the 5-foot-10 guard knelt on the big "G" at mid-court as the crowd roared, Frazier had finished with 31 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. He was 9-for-19 from the field, 5-for-9 from 3-point range and made all eight free throws, including what proved to be the game-winners with 1:13 remaining.
It was yet another stellar, jaw-dropping performance for one of the most exciting, compelling and beloved Bulldogs in a long, long time.
Said Auburn coach Bruce Pearl: "Frazier's terrific, you know, he's terrific. We probably could have done a better job of getting it out of his hands a little bit more, but he made some tough shots."
Said Georgia sophomore forward Derek Ogbeide: "We always depend on J.J.; we depend on J.J. every single game."
Frazier has scored at least 28 points in four of his last five games, doing what he's done so well the past two seasons. He hits 3s, including five Wednesday, but more impressively the 5-10, 155-pounder attacks the basket like a player six inches taller and 60 pounds heavier.
It's the mix of Frazier's size, effort and incredible playmaking, often inside against much larger defenders, that makes him such a fan favorite.
"Anybody could tell you, to be appreciated, that's a different type of feeling. For [the crowd to chat 'J.J.' after the game] and show how much they care, how much they appreciate how hard I play and how much this school means to me, it really touched me."
Have we seen anything like this before? Who better to ask than the longtime radio voice of the Bulldogs, Scott Howard.
"We've had guys that were versatile, like Sundiata Gaines, who was one of those guys that scored a lot, he distributed a lot, he'd penetrate and drive and all that kind of stuff, but it wasn't that kind of a relationship with the player and the fans," Howard said after Frazier's latest gem.
"I think he's one of a kind, at least over the last 20-25 years here."
Frazier often does so much that he doesn't even remember what he did, like that gorgeous floater from the left side of the lane, which put Georgia up 77-73 with 2:20 remaining.
"I don't remember at all, actually, I'm not even going to lie to you," he said. "I just remember the last two free throws and that turnover."
Ah, the turnover. Frazier tried to fire a long pass inside to Ogbeide with 14 seconds left and it was picked off, giving the Tigers one last shot at the win. Fortunately for Frazier and the Dogs, Auburn's long 3-point attempt bounced off the rim and Georgia (18-12, 9-8 SEC) escaped with the win.
No Solo Act
As great as Frazier was for the Bulldogs, he had some quality help as Georgia won its third straight game since star forward Yante Maten went out with a knee injury.
Ogbeide had one of the best games of his career with 10 points and 15 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards, which helped Georgia to a 16-8 advantage in second-chance points. Freshman guard Tyree Crump was the Dogs' third player in double figures, with 10 points off the bench in just 11 minutes of action.
Junior guard Juwan Parker added eight points and eight rebounds, while Turtle Jackson, Jordan Harris, E'Torrion Wilridge and Pape Diatta all scored five points — all of which were huge in such a tight game.
"We're having a lot of guys chip in besides J.J., but J.J.'s been so phenomenal that he's going to get, obviously, lots of attention," Georgia coach Mark Fox said.
Ones and Threes
It was a great night for shooting free throws and 3-pointers. Auburn was red-hot from 3-point range early, which helped it build a 28-12 lead with 7:45 left in the opening half. The Tigers finished 12-for-27 from 3-point range, while Georgia hit some big 3s in its rally and finished the night 10 of 22.
At the free-throw line, the teams were a combined 27 of 32, with the Bulldogs making 15 of 16 attempts.
What's Next?
The Bulldogs wrap up their regular season Saturday at Arkansas (22-8, 11-6), o. 12 Florida on Wednesday.
John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
