Georgia Vs. Alabama: Dawgs Start SEC Play Without Marcus Thornton

Mark Fox knew he'd head into SEC play without a departed pair of scorers - Trey Tompkins and Travis Leslie, who were both drafted in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers - but now he'll try to meet or match his career best 9-7 SEC record of last season without the Bulldogs' leading rebounder, Marcus Thornton.

Thornton is out with a right knee injury for the time being, after having arthroscopic surgery following an injury before Christmas. The big man had averaged 2.8 points and 5.8 rebounds. With nationally ranked Alabama coming to Stegeman Coliseum and boasting strong power forwards JaMychal Green and Tony Mitchell (combined they're averaging 30.4 points a game), that could tough for the depleted dogs (quote courtesy of Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald)

"We do have a tough start, especially under the circumstances with the injury," Fox said Friday. "It’s going to even out. I wish we had those games later when we have Marcus back. It is what it is. I don’t lose any sleep over it."

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Georgia Vs. Alabama: Game Time, TV Info And More

The Dogs, hoping to repeat their success of last season, open SEC play against a tested and proven Alabama team.