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Dennis Felton leads the crowd chanting "U-G-A" as he stands up once barber Vernell Wilson finished shaving Felton's mustache.

Felton: Basketball team in great shape despite loss of Humphrey

SPORTS NOTEBOOK

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Posted: 7/17/08

Wednesday at the SEC men's basketball summer teleconference, Georgia head coach Dennis Felton said he believes his team in great shape for the upcoming season.

"Our guys have been getting better and developing and working toward next year, and we are in the best place that we have ever been," Felton said. "And there is no doubt that winning a championship has a lot to do with that. Our recruiting class has improved every year, and this class will fall right in line with that.

"This class has some terrific players as far as talent and some terrific players as far as approach and enthusiasm about coming to Georgia and doing special things."

Felton also mentioned he would like to see the season shortened into one semester for the benefit of the student-athletes.

"I think if we are really serious about helping our student-athletes and helping them do well academically, we should shorten the season. If it spans across both semesters as it does, it makes it the toughest sport in college athletics. For the last few years, I know our coaches in the SEC have talked about it a little, and everyone seems to have a favorable attitude about the idea."

Felton is not concerned about his team's depth after dismissing senior Billy Humphrey on June 27, even though he said there would be no one to replace Humphrey's minutes on the floor.

He also discussed some new NCAA restrictions on recruiting that doesn't allow athletes to be recruited until they have completed their sophomore year of high school.

"I don't think you can do it like that," he said "We can't control the timelines in which all these various players around the country want to make decisions, and it doesn't make much sense.

"The communication between schools and prospects needs to be opened up because the way prospects make good, wise and informed decisions has been hampered and restricted by NCAA restrictions," he added. "Bad marriages are created by bad timelines working in opposite directions. The kids want to get their work done earlier and the NCAA has created an atmosphere where they can't get it done 'til later, and that's the reason you are seeing a record number of transfers."

Volleyball recruits are setting records

For the first time in the history of Georgia volleyball, a freshman class has been ranked.

The 2008 class is ranked 30th by PrepVolleyball.com and is highlighted by the Fab 50 duo of Kathleen Gates and Amy Dylla.

Gates, a setter from Wilmington, N.C., is ranked the fourth best setter and No. 19 overall, while Dylla, a middle hitter from Littleton, Colo., is ranked No. 49 overall.

They are joined by opposite hitter Briana Bahr (Pensacola, Fla.), defensive specialists Tomoka Matsuyama (Marietta, Ga.) and Carla Tietz (St. Charles, Ill.) and middle hitter Michele Simmons (Alabaster, Ala.).