LANDERS

Redshirt junior forward Angel Robinson moves to score during the game against East Tennessee State on Monday. She said she hasn't changed as a player despite not starting a game this season.

On bench, Lady Dogs forward's outlook bright

Several factors part of starting

By: RYNE DENNIS

Posted: 12/3/08

After a successful sophomore season in which Angel Robinson averaged 9.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game - plus started in 28 of them - many expected her to continue making a major impression on the floor.

The preseason prognosticators tabbed Georgia's redshirt junior forward as a preseason All-SEC Second Team selection.

Though her points and rebounds have gone up - 13.1 and 9.4, respectively - she has yet to start a game for the Lady Bulldogs this season, something head coach Andy Landers doesn't seem to mind.

"It's worked well," Landers said of Robinson not starting. "Is it really that important that she starts if she's getting those numbers?"

At 6-foot-5, Robinson is the tallest member of the Georgia squad, and not starting doesn't bother her.

"I really don't pay attention, just as long as I come in the game prepared to play and prepared to help my teammates," Robinson said.

"You get to watch the game [develop] when you come off the bench, but when you start, you just go in and have to use what the coach gives you."

Robinson set a career high for points with 19 in Monday night's 77-57 defeat of East Tennessee State, and she also contributed 15 boards to go with three blocked shots.

Landers has hinted that Robinson excels in the spotlight, but must work on improving her habits outside of Stegeman Coliseum.

"Everything that we look for and everything that goes into being a starter doesn't occur during games," Landers said. "I think somewhere in all of that, sometimes kids think that I'm going to make a decision because of their talent. Who gives a rip about their talent?"

Even though she has the talent to start for Georgia, and has made steady improvement this year, Robinson most likely will be coming off the bench again tonight against Tennessee Tech of the Ohio Valley Conference.

"If she were to start [tonight's] game, it would be because other people aren't performing, that doesn't mean that you've earned it," Landers said.

Even with her time off the bench thus far this season, and the possibility in the future, she says she hasn't changed as a player.

LADY DOGS

When: 7 tonight
Who: Tennessee Tech
Where: Stegeman Coliseum
Price: Admission is free for University students with a valid UGA ID

"No, I'm still the same ol' Angel," she said. "There's still room for improvement and I have a long road ahead of me."

The Lady Dogs look to continue their four-game winning streak tonight against a squad that hasn't beaten Georgia in eight previous meetings.

When Robinson and the Lady Dogs defeated East Tennessee State Monday, it put Georgia in elite company as the 10th program in women's basketball history to win 750 games.

Tonight, they will face a Golden Eagle team that ranks three spots ahead of the Bulldogs, with 792 total victories.

Tennessee Tech won its conference's regular season title 16 times in 30 seasons, the last coming in 2006. The Golden Eagles also have made the NCAA tournament 10 times during that span.