From GeorgiaDogs.com: [4] ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia senior Dave Bliss was named Tuesday as the 2008 Southeastern Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year, as voted by the league’s 12 head coaches.

In addition, fellow senior Sundiata Gaines was named to the Coaches’ All-SEC second team, and rookie forward Jeremy Price was selected to the 8-man SEC All-Freshman team, also voted by the SEC coaches.

Currently carrying a 3.45 GPA in Real Estate, Bliss spent his senior year pursuing a second bachelor’s degree, having earned his first one, in Honors Political Science, in three years. The Wausau, Wis., native was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in each of his first three years at Georgia.

Gaines, meanwhile, was named to the Coaches’ All-SEC second team for the second straight year. He continues to lead the Bulldogs in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and minutes this season. Price started in 15 of Georgia’s 29 games and is currently averaging 8.3 points and 4.3 rebounds, shooting 54 percent from the field. His season-high of 22 points came in Georgia game against Tulane, which also happened to be his first collegiate start.

The Bulldogs open play at the SEC Tournament in Atlanta this Thursday against Ole Miss. Approximate tipoff time for that first-round contest is 9:45 p.m. (EDT).