Things to do in Athens when you're dead

As you've probably seen by now, we got a big game tonight at 9 in the Georgia Dome. But there is a ton more going on with University of Georgia athletics this weekend. What else you may ask? Well, I'll tell you.

Scott Stricklin will take his Diamond Dawgs and their 10 game winning streak into SEC play, opening things up with Mississippi St tonight at Foley Field at 7. The Bizarro Bulldogs are ranked in the top 25, and will face off against sophomore lefty Ryan Lawlor tonight, before getting freshman phenom Robert Tyler tomorrow at 12:05 (televised on FSN), and then senior Patrick Boling on Sunday at 1.

The women's tennis team, fresh off a victory over #5 Virginia on Wednesday, will host South Carolina's Lady Gamecocks this evening at 4 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex. 3rd ranked Florida follows them to Athens with matches beginning Sunday at 1. Meanwhile on the men's side of the net, a dramatic win over top ranked Ohio St Wednesday will hopefully energize Manny Diaz's crew as they hit the road for South Carolina today and then Gainesville, Florida on Sunday.

Like the Diamond Dawgs, the softball team will take a solid winning streak (7 games) into the beginning of SEC play when they host Mississippi St this weekend, in Athens at Jack Turner Stadium. Games start at 6 p.m. this evening, then 2 tomorrow afternoon and 1 on Sunday.

Outside of town, 10 members of UGA Track and Field will compete today and tomorrow at the NCAA Indoor Championships being held in Albuquerque. You can check out georgiadogs.com's video preview. The GymDawgs will conclude their season at #5 Utah. Senior gymnast Cat Hires was recently honored for her outstanding community service.

And in the pool, senior Laura Ryan won the women's 3 meter dive at the Zone B championships in Greenesboro, NC this past week. The Elk River, Minnesota native will join the maximum allowed 17 swimmers when the Lady Wet Dawgs head to the NCAA Championships less than an hour from Ryan's hometown, in Minneapolis, held next weekend. The men will take 14 down to Austin, Texas for the men's championships at the end of the month.

Also of note in the UGA sports world of late... Charles Mann made 2nd team All-SEC in basketball, while Marcus Thornton was named to the Community Service Team. Men's golf finished sixth last weekend, and get this weekend off before returning to the course next weekend at the Linger Longer. The Georgia women weren't quite as successful at the Darius Rucker last weekend, but have some time to work on things before getting back out there at the end of the month. Soccer has some scheduling news as the game next weekend with Kennesaw St is cancelled. They also signed a pair of players with international experience for the youth teams of Sweden and Honduras, and freshman Becca Rasmussen has been playing well for the U.S. u18 squad. Second ranked Georgia equestrian demolished #5 New Mexico St last weekend as they get ready for the SEC Championships next weekend in Blythewood, South Carolina (South Carolina's facility). And finally, the Lady Hoops Dawgs are patiently waiting to hear if they'll make it 20 straight NCAA appearances under Andy Landers when the women's tournament field is announced on Monday.