ATHENS - Georgia spent the two years in the enviable role of underdog, slipping under the radar as the unheralded team that exceeded expectations with two straight trips to the NCAA tournament. <br>
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This season, they're not going to surprise anyone. <br>
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The Bulldogs open practice at midnight Friday with a team that's expected to contend for the Southeastern Conference championship and become the first group in school history to make it to the NCAA's three years in a row. <br>
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Jarvis Hayes led the SEC in scoring his first year in the league and figures to be one of the league's top players this season. <br>
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Hayes said, ``I like being the underdog. This year, we're looking at it from a different view. I think we can handle it.'' <br>
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Hayes returns along with the entire starting lineup. Damien Wilkins, who averaged 11.6 points in two seasons at North Carolina State, sat out last season after transferring and is now eligible. Freshman Wayne Arnold might be able to contribute right away. <br>
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Coach Jim Harrick said, ``We're expecting to have a highly successful season, and we've earned that right. We're no longer going to jump out of the woodshed and surprise anyone.'' <br>
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The Bulldogs were one of the best teams in the country during January and February. They won at Kentucky for only the second time ever. They won at Florida for the second year in a row. <br>
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The team struggled down the stretch, however, losing three of its last four games. The season ended with an upset loss to Southern Illinois in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
