By John Frierson
Staff Writer

Blue Cain smiles and shakes his head a little.

“A lot of people have said that,” the Georgia men’s basketball junior said after it is suggested that he’s not just had more dunks this season, but more high-flying slams and other plays that show off an increased strength and leaping ability.

“I think I’ve always been able to jump pretty high. It’s just, I think this year I have had more opportunities to kind of show it. I mean, a lot of people have said that I look more athletic.”

Whether it’s just opportunity or it’s opportunity mixed with the results of the Bulldogs’ strength and conditioning program, Cain has done a lot of impressive things on the court this season. Heading into Saturday’s game against Texas at Stegeman Coliseum, the 6-foot-5 guard from Knoxville, Tenn., is second on the team in scoring with 13.3 points per game. He’s also second in rebounding at 5.3, second in steals (36) and third in assists (60).

All of his numbers are on pace for career highs, and it’s not because he’s playing more minutes. He averaged 27.2 minutes per game last season and is on pace to match that this season. Cain’s numbers have improved because he’s improved.

“I try to play a well-rounded game,” Cain said. “I feel like whenever I focus on the other stuff (besides shooting), the scoring usually takes care of itself. I would say I definitely have made a conscious effort to try to do the other things, and then just take what the game gives me.”

The game has given Cain plenty. As a child growing up in Knoxville, Cain dreamed of being a good player who could compete at a high level. So what would the 10- or 12-year-old version of Cain think of where he is now?

“He’d think this was really cool. It really is, this is what he dreamed of; this is what he wanted. I’m sure he’d be glad to see that I’m still enjoying the game,” Cain said.

While Cain often speaks quietly and gives off low-key vibes when doing interviews, he’s not always that way, teammate Justin Abson said.

“He’s a great guy. He may seem laid back to everyone, but on and off the court, he’s a great guy — and a real funny guy. That’s my guy,” said Abson, in his second season with the Bulldogs. He’s funny if you know him, but you might have to get to know him a little better for that side of him to come out.”

Cain is not only working harder than ever to be the best player he can be, he’s also loving the game as much as he ever has.

“It’s still my favorite thing to do,” he said. “I really do enjoy playing basketball — all of it.”

Away from basketball, Cain spends a lot of time connecting with his family and friends back home. He also loves to play golf. When you spend so much time inside a gym working on your game, it’s very nice to get outside and do something very different, he said.

“I think it’s so peaceful out on the golf course, and it’s just so nice to be outside for a few hours,” he said. “A lot of my friends play, my father played, so I think it’s always a good time playing with them.”

When you grow up in an SEC college town, like Knoxville, going to school anywhere else can lead to a lot of comments and jokes from people you know. When you’re a student-athlete playing for a rival, all of that often goes up a few notches.

“I might get little jokes here and there about playing for Georgia, but I think pretty much everybody’s pretty proud of me,” Cain said.

As they should be.

Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men’s Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files.