The University of West Georgia Super Tuesday

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History Made

No West Georgia fan inside The Coliseum on Tuesday March 5th, 2024 can deny they witnessed greatness. The Wolves capped off the final home game of the season in grand fashion. I would dare to say this was the greatest home closer in University of West Georgia history. Not only did they complete an undefeated home season (15-0) for the first time since 1998, the next time the wolves play a home basketball game in The Coliseum they’ll be a Division 1 school of the ASUN Conference. I’d say they left Carrollton and the Gulf South Conference on a sure enough high note.

For more information on this transition look here.

More history would come from this game however as Dave Moore, UWG’s head basketball coach and GSC Coach of the Year, secured his 100th career win since taking over the team in 2017. In a recent interview conducted by Triple Threat, WOLF Sports Network’s newest podcast, with Cole Fisher, West Georgia’s starting guard, he had plenty to say on Coach Moore.

“Coach Moore is a winner… the way he prepares us is just unmatched and that brings our team another level of confidence, and that’s why we have a really good record this year, that’s why we’ve won a lot of games”.

Cole Fisher/Triple Threat Podcast

The wolves have won a lot of games this season. Their win on Tuesday brought them to 24 total, while only dropping five on the road. With that record the 2023-2024 UWG Men’s basketball team is certainly having an historic season. 

The Game (my perspective)

The Wolves (1) faced off against Union (8) with tip off set for 7:30PM (EST). I arrived at The Coliseum at 6:30 to prepare to film the game with UWG Productions, who provides live/recorded digital video coverage of every home UWG men’s basketball game. The “Players to Watch” for our broadcast were #3 Zawdie Jackson of West Georgia, and #22 Ahmad Johnson of Union. Zawdie, who prior to the game was named GSC Player of the Year, ended the game with a season high 36 points. Ahmad was able to score his season average 17 points/game, and the Wolves won by a score of 87-76. If I left it at that though, it wouldn’t tell the whole story.

The Wolves started the first half missing 11 of their first 14 shots and falling behind 10 early. The Wolves were able to claw back, but still found themselves in an uncomfortable and unusual situation trailing at halftime 43-39. I have to say I was uncomfortable too. The second half began much like the first. We scored a three within seconds of the half, but then fell cold, ultimately finding ourselves behind by 9 yet again.

The Coliseum, filled with nearly 800 fans, never grew silent. The crowd often chanting “Defense, Defense, Defense” found the home team turning the offense around. It was almost poetic how West Georgia triumphed to the lead, in large part from a 17-0 stretch sparked by #2 Cam Donatalan, who was given the First-Team All-GCS nod prior to the game. The crowd and I erupted as Amari Davis gave us our first lead of the half with 9:17 left in the game. That fire stayed lit and the boys were able to secure the win by 11! It was electric! One, as I mentioned, is for the history books. 

What’s Next?

The wolves aren’t quite ready to call the season quits. They are set to meet up with The University of West Alabama (4) in Homewood, Alabama at the Pete Hanna Center this Saturday, March 9th. West Alabama got the better of West Georgia in the regular season, but this year’s team has proven they won’t back down to any fight. Some may even say this team has the eye of a tiger. 

Cole Fisher also said when asked who poses the biggest threat heading into the GSC tournament,

“Since those teams (Alabama Huntsville, Montevallo, West Alabama, Lee, Delta State) have beaten us, maybe they have this confidence they can beat us again, but it’s going to be our job to shut that down”!

I have confidence they can, and will !

So, in the midst of a season full of individual achievement, their goal is a GCS and NCAA Tournament Championship. As a team. As One. We Are One!

Cover Photo: uwgathletics.com