This season is happening- Clemson loses to FSU 75-69

Holy Stitt!

The Tigers' already thin guard rotation might have just become even thinner. Clemson's leading scorer at 13.8ppg this season might not be leading for the next two weeks.

Demontez Stitt might be out, “I think something loose is irritating it. I’ve been trying to play through the discomfort, had it drained a couple times in the past couple weeks. The inflammation keeps coming back, and I think it’s under the kneecap. We can’t get it drained.” HT orangeandwhite.


I wonder what the now ex-Tigers are thinking about their playing time and eligibility?


So, the moving screen not called by the refs further injured our senior point guard. This season, without sarcasm, snarkiness, or any other similar adjective, draining my optimism. 


The Tigers looked good at times, hitting their outside shots and getting some inside play, but at others, they still looked in disarray. The interior was weak- this coupled with the impending and current apparently systematic winnowing of the guards will make for some serious struggles this season.  What the Tigers could not do is stop FSU. When the Tigers were controlling the game, Hamilton's squad lead by Dulky dropping Dulkys stepped it up and the Tigers could not respond.


I want to see a statistic of the following: Clemson made baskets vs. turnovers after a called timeout. Right now  it seems more turnovers come after TOs than points.


I want to be optimistic. But it is hard and getting more difficult by the day.

Hopefully this next stretch of games will let this year's iteration of the Tigers to gel and to find their place on the team and on the court.
a

12/17/2010 7:00:00 PM	Clemson	Savannah State		Tickets		Live Stats
12/19/2010 5:00:00 PM	Clemson	UNCG	FSSO	Tickets		Live Stats
12/22/2010 7:00:00 PM	College of Charleston	Clemson	FSS
12/27/2010 7:00:00 PM	Clemson	Delaware State		Tickets		Live Stats
12/29/2010 7:00:00 PM	Clemson	East Carolina		Tickets		Live Stats
1/2/2011 4:00:00 PM	Clemson	Citadel		Tickets		Live Stats

The upcoming game at CofC will be a difficult test, but some of the other games, even with the loss of Stitt should (underscored  and emphasized) be winnable.


Go Tigers!

Clemson loses to USC 64-60 in a "rivalry" and a Tiger alum is arrested

So this is what it is looking like this year- abysmal:

This is it. There are 346, or something like that, teams currently playing division basketball and we are not even in the top 50% of them.

This is what is looks like in action:

Jennings does what Jennings does.

This is Clemson Basketball. The growing pains are affecting everyone: players, fans, media perception, and anyone else who might care about Clemson Basketball.

Ron Morris of The State entitle his article Horn's program is further along (left out than what)

He asserts made such sweeping generalizations as, "So, while senior Clemson point guard Demontez Stitt occasionally looked like he was unsure of what Brownell wanted, Ellington approached the biggest play of the game as if he knew precisely what Horn wanted."

"As if," is the key phrase here. They both hit 5 shots during the course of the game. Ellington happened to hit 3 3pt shots. That is is difference.

The Tigers had to struggle to  get back into the game.

Here is how Brownell assessed the situation (WMA Audio File via Tigernet):

"We ran two actions and I think both guys were going to be wide-open. Demontez [Stitt] threw the one backwards to Milton [Jennings] at the top of the key and threw it at his ankles when he was wide-open. Then Tanner [Smith] threw the one to Andre [Young] when he really wasn't quite looking, and that's what I'm talking about. They're not quite familiar with some of those things, and we don't execute as well as we need to. Both guys were going to be wide-open, and we don't get a shot on either possession. That's a killer in a possession game.”

"And that is what I'm talking about" Brad Brownell

So, the Tigers get a week to prepare for ACC play against FSU and then a few games that should help pad our record before the beginning of the year.

Elsewhere in Clemson Basketball news, DWDHS- D.W. Daniel High Basketball coach, Barnes/Shyatt era Tiger, Tony Christie from Hartford, Connecticut was arrested today on suspicion of doing things that are not very good, assault on a student at DWD- a female.

So that is that. A less than satisfactory weekend for the Tigers ends with an alumni in close proximity being arrested. Maybe it is a stretch to make a connection between the two, maybe some grand generalizations can be made by others, but either way, if things don't right themselves soon, this is going to be a long season.

Go Tigers!

Clemson Basketball- And then there were Two

Last year's freshman class was one of the most heralded in Clemson basketball history.
Now, only 50% of that lofty recruiting class remains, as Noel Johnson has decided to leave the program
This news comes after Donte Hill announced that he would transfer earlier this year.

Right now, the recruits are falling like dominoes.

If you do not see Brad Brownell everywhere on the recruiting trail, then he is not doing his job. I don't know if the implementation of his offensive scheme is leading to the loss of players, or if it is the coaching change. "His" recruit, Stanton performed well against Michigan, and is a nice addition to the team. Though Johnson might have an effort/energy issue, as he has not seemed fully committed on the court this season, I really don't know what I think about Stanton playing over others who were already in place. It seems Stanton, for better or worse, is receiving some preferential treatment over the others.

Of course growing pains will accompany a coaching change, but right now we have NINE scholarship players, two walk-ons.

Here is the breakdown by position:

G: 5

Under 6 feet

Andre Young- quick, playing well: 32.7 mins, 10.1 ppg

Corey Stanton- fitting in nicely: 13.4mins, 3.4 ppg

Zavier Anderson- allows Young to rest: 3.6mins, 0.4 ppg

Over 6 feet

Demontez Stitt- Starting to step up as a senior: 30.3 mins, 13.3 ppg

Tanner Smith- underachieving as a junior: 31.3mins, 8.4 ppg

F: 3

Bryan Narcisse- Mr. Energy not seeing as much playing time: 7.3 mins, 1.7 ppg

Milton Jennings- Starting to look comfortable this year: 21.7 mins, 9.9 ppg

Jonah Baize- Walk-on: 2 mins, 0.0ppg

F/C: 2

Devin Booker- Shows potential, looks lost sometimes: 24.4 mins, 8.4 ppg

Jerai Grant- Looks improved, needs to step it up: 22.3 mins, 9.1 ppg

C: 1

Catalin Baicu- I thought this was supposed to be the year: 5.4 mins, 2.8 ppg

Here is a nice visual breakdown of each player's performance via SCACCHoops

This season was going to be one of transition and flux, but now it will be even more so. Hopefully, other players will step up and perform. Otherwise, the grind of the ACC Season will be even longer. 

Go Tigers!

Clemson Basketball falls in first test vs. Michigan 69-61

And really, the game was not as close as the score might look. The Tigers fell behind early and spent most of their time anemically trying to claw their way back into the game.

Brownell said Milton Jennings hasn't been playing as well of late, but his replacement- Tanner Smith was abysmal last night. It was painful. He fouled a guy shooting a three, then threw up a horrid shot.

Brownell had this to say of the Milt/Tanner, "Milton (Jennings) wasn’t as good as he’s been of late. And he could have played defense a little better. So we had to start playing guys like Tanner (Smith) and Noel (Johnson) to force something and try to overcome it. We are not going to play that way very much, but Michigan was packing it in defensively"

The key to that quote is "We are not going to play that way very much." God, I hope not. It was ugly. It looked like an OP offense, minus the dorking around for 20-25 seconds then missing a contested shot. This was just plain missing bad shots. The game plan seemed to lack a bit.

While Clemson is still learning the motion offense, Michigan was running it with aplomb.  It helped that their team was hitting their shots. It didn't help that the Tigers were afraid to go inside, even with the defense "packing it in defensively."

Now the team get a brief break before a tough road game against the gamecocks, followed by an early ACC match up against FSU.

It is time to start figuring things out Tigers. It will not get any easier. This could/should have been a tough win. Instead, it is a tough, though deserved, loss.

You can read more about the game, the stats, etc, here:

SCACCHoops
ESPN-
notice that at the end of the basketball article, it is no longer about basketball, but rather about Kyle Parker and the presentation of the CWS rings. Nice work ESPN- stay focused!
Tigernet 

Clemson Basketball ACC-Big Ten vs. Michigan tomorrow night

What: Clemson Tigers v. Michigan (You know what's up.)
When: 9:00pm
Where: Littlejohn Coliseum, Clemson, SC
Watch: ESPN2
Listen: WCCP-FM

I am fresh off a west coast trip and am ready for some basketball.
Tomorrow, the Tigers look to get a meaning(less) revenge win against the team T. Oglesby elbowed in the NCAA tournament.

Now, the Clemson looks to keep up its winning- less the loss in the Virgin Islands.
Here is what the "experts" from ESPN have to say:

MICHIGAN AT CLEMSON (ESPN2, 9 ET)

Bilas: Clemson -- The Tigers are at home, and Michigan hasn't won away from home.
Brennan: Clemson -- Michigan might not be as bad as we thought, but it is not good enough to beat a capable Clemson team, whose only loss was a one-point neutral-court defeat to ODU.
Fraschilla: Clemson -- Early returns about new coach Brad Brownell are positive.
Gottlieb: Michigan -- Searching for an upset here, the 1-3-1 proves tough to tame. The Wolverines appear a bit better than expected, though they will suffer in conference.
Katz: Clemson -- The Tigers, regardless of coach, are too tough at home against similar-level teams.
Leung: Clemson -- Tigers coach Brad Brownell is fitting right in and has enough weapons to win this one.
Lunardi: Clemson -- The Wolverines are a long way from being able to win at Littlejohn.
O’Neil: Clemson -- The Wolverines have done little to prove they're over what ailed them last season.
Williams: Clemson -- After losses to both Syracuse and UTEP, I don't see the Wolverines bouncing back at Littlejohn Coliseum. 


So, as you can see, Clemson will clearly lose this game. Well, let's not wish that upon the team, but it certainly seems that way- at least for the past number of years (The OP Era), but hopefully, Brownell has the Tigers out of that mentality.


It is nice to see these national analysts provide a little love for the Tigers.


Ken Pomeroy at kenpom.com has Clemson at 86% chance of winning tomorrow night.


Nonetheless, all I can think about is TO's elbow and subsequent selfish, possibly forced move to Europe. I don't know that he is performing all that well right now, but at least he is getting paid to play basketball.


And if you can't get excited for this ACC-big ten challenge game and basketball season in general, 


Check this out via the official site: Littlejohn- and other athletic sites- panorama video with the Tiger Band.




Go Tigers.

Clemson Tigers Defeat Wofford 78-70

I understand that Wofford is a good team, but last night's 78-70 win was much closer than I, or most who follow Clemson Basketball would have liked.

Wofford is talented enough to beat some good teams. They could have won last night. However, the resilience the team showed in not allowing that to happen was impressive. They saved the ACC from even more ridicule. With GT's loss to Kennesaw St and Wake's loss to Stetson and narrow escape against Hampton, it seems the bottom of the ACC is low and the top is high. This might alleviate some of the standard middling logjam that occurs yearly, unless those teams get their act together.

Per last night's game, our offense is starting to take shape, but the defense, at least in the two previous games is taking a back seat. The conscientiously improved FT% will keep us in close games, if we continue. But, when the senior leader point guard has but TWO assists in three games (pre-season included) something is awry. Yes, the three guard lineup opens up options, lanes, etc, but two assists, three turnovers, and seven fouls in two games for the senior leader is definitely underwhelming. Just as was the crowd.

If Jerai dunks on a dude from Wofford and no one is there to see it, does it really count? (Image via Tigernet)

Actual caption from Tigernet: "Jerai Grant brings the crowd to its feet with a big dunk."

Also from Tigernet, voice of Clemson Tiger fans, a .wma post game interview with BRIAN Brownell. Nice scoop tigernet.

Here's an early statistic, but how much difference has a year made for Milton Jennings? Look at this.

If nothing else, this has to help his confidence. Milt apparently just did not fit into OP's system. Let's hope this progress continues.

Now it is on off to the US Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam, where the Tigers open against the Long Beach State, though they call themselves "The Beach" 49ers. How quaint.

The season is go.

Go Tigers!

The Clemson Basketball SoCon tour Continues vs. Wofford

When: Tonight, 7:00pm

Where: Littlejohn Coliseum, Clemson, SC

Watch: Tigercast

Listen: WCCP-FM

Follow: Gametracker

Tonight could get interesting, as the Wofford Terriers come to town. These same Woffordeers appeared as a #13 seed in the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history, nearly defeating #4 seed Wisconsin; though they ended up losing 53-49 in the waning seconds. Wofford is experiencing an upswing and the benefits of basketball league parity- and the painful Big Ten lack of scoring acumen, out side of Michigan State.

 It hurts my eyes just to think of it. 

While Wofford is not a traditionally strong non-conference opponent, it will be a good early test for this year's iteration  of the Tigers. They have yet to be tested, beyond what they get from the coaching staff and their fellow players. 

At least one player they face tonight should give the Tigers some trouble, Noah Dahlman. As an inside player, he will get challenged by Grant and Booker. Conversely, his presence will hopefully allow us to see how our sophomores and post players react to a challenge.

The guard play should allow us to free up some space down low for Grant and/or Booker. Stitt will likely be looking to improve upon his fairly disappointing season opening performance. Young will be Young and hopefully Smith will be Smith.

Should Milt Jennings continue to elevate his play to the level as he began to do so in the previous game, this game could get out of hand. Or, if someone doesn't step up early, it could be a tight finish. While I fully expect the Tigers to win, I am hoping for an enjoyable game.

Go Tigers!

Clemson Tigers win 87-64 in season opener

Devin Booker looked a bit like his older brother last night, as he finished with 16 points, a career high.

It's the Big 31, not the 35 for the Tigers this year (from goupstate.com)

But what might has been more surprising was the nearly 60% shooting in the new offense. The scoring load was spread, as Tanner Smith had 12, Andre Young had 10 pts despite leaving for a while with a thigh injury, and hopefully reflective of what is to come, Milton Jennings added 12.

What was disappointing was Stitt's quick fouls. He finished with 4 PF and just 7 pts in 12 minutes. Is this his new senior leadership? Maybe he was overexcited or being overzealous on defense in going for the steal. Or, I don't know if he or the refs were rusty after having had some time away from a full speed game. Nonetheless, his continued development and leadership will be paramount if this year's team is going to be successful.

Bobo looks clueless at most times, but he is still supposedly going to be a key component in this year's rotations, as is evidence here

Tanner Smith has returned. His fire, spark, and confidence seemed to be back. He lead the team in transition, but not however in FT%. It seemed a bit like the OP era from the FT line, as the Tigers shot an abysmal 54%.

Tanner lead the team in fire and fashion, notice the mohawk- reminiscent of Booker's mohawk below.

As an opener, the game was a positive. The team seemed prepared and focused, though not yet a finished product. It is still a team in philosophical transition.

Until the SoCon tour of teams continues on Monday night.

Go Tigers!

Clemson Basketball: Let the Brownell Begin

When: Tonight, 8:00pm

Where: Littlejohn Coliseum, Clemson, SC

Watch: Tigercast

Listen: WCCP-FM

Follow: Gametracker

Tonight it is on.

Western Carolina comes to Littlejohn for an 8:00 tip-off. 

You know, I sort of feel sorry for Western Carolina. Not because they are coming to Littlejohn, not because  for their next game they travel to Chicago to play ex-Clemson coach OP and the DePaulers, not because they have to play the Ohio State Buckeyes, but because they are the only directional Carolina team with the adjectival (-ern) suffix in their name, unlike the other Carolinas: South, East, and even North.

True, Western Carolina is just a university and not an entire state named after another state, like West Virginia, who, by the way,  has my deepest sympathy for not having enough historical moxie to develop an original state name.

But, I digress.

The season begins. 

The WCU Catamounts play in the Southern Conference against several common Clemson opponents: UNCG, Charleston, Wofford, and the Citadel. And while WCU has not been to the NCAA tournament since 1996, they play in a tough, competitive league. And besides, it is not like the Tigers have been tearing it up in the NCAA the past three year themselves.

The Catamounts are coming off a 22-11 season, finishing 11-7 in the SoCon- which means they only lost to 4 non-conference opponents last year: Texas, Clemson, Kent State, and Marshall and even beat Louisville in Louisville. This is a real team.

And yet, it is, hopefully, the beginning of  something good. 

While I don't think all of the questions marks for the season will be answered, especially as Brownell as continuously referred to wanting- though I am not sure if he used the word needing-  more time to prepare.

Clemson Basketball has arrived to save us from the doldrums of another mediocre football season.

Go Tigers!

Brownell Previews Clemson Basketball vs. Western Carolina

Video from Tigernet

This is some interesting stuff from Coach Brownell. He is definitely a different personality than OP. Hopefully, the players can adjust to his system and his intellectual basketball approach.

Here is the audio of the press conference- wma file.

Go Tigers!

It's that time of year again: Clemson Basketball

 Brad Brownell (clemsontigers.cstv.com)

We are in the final phases of an another agonizingly protracted football season.

That must mean it is time for basketball.
Since last year:

OP is out; left for Depaul.

Brownell is in.

Booker is in DC.

Donte Hill is out.(Transfer)

Bobo can play? (4-5fg, 2-2ft vs. Belmont)?

So, what does this all mean for the team this year?

Your guess is as good as mine.

 Right now we know- or should, pressure defense and the cumulative effect will not be emphasized, as it was in the past.“Everybody knows that with Coach Purnell, we really stressed the full-court pressure defense,” Jerai Grant said. “With Coach Brownell, I think defense will be emphasized just as much, but it will be a little different. I don't think defense will be any less important.”

The offense will not be able to rely on Booker, big or little.

Well, after the exhibition 96-57 win against Belmont Abbey, we know a little, even if just a small amount more. For example, the team started three guards, which might have been a function of Jerai Grant being in street clothes, or just a practice, an adjustment.

This year will be exciting- as college basketball always is, but it is a transitional year. This year's iteration of the Tigers should be fun to watch at time, but painful at others. Painful in a different manner than when OP was here. This team is not just looking to run a system up and down the court, regardless of success, but will be trying to adapt to the new style motion-based offense, and the half court. The vision and basketball IQ and acumen of this year's team will be tested under Brownell. Any success these Tigers have will be contingent upon how they adapt, learn, and progress thorghout the course of the year.

All of that being said, I am ready for Clemson Basketball season to get started.

Go Tigers!

Clemson Hoops Schedule Released; Analysis to come later

This is what it looks like:
The Official Clemson announcement
The Official Schedule link

Nov 12 Western Carolina 8:00
Nov 15 Wofford 7:00
Paradise Jam, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Paradise Jam Teams: Alabama, Clemson, Iowa, Long Beach St., Old Dominion, Seton Hall, St. Peters?,  Xavier
Nov 19 vs. Long Beach State 3:30
Nov 20/21 in Paradise Jam tba
Nov 22 in Paradise Jam tba
Nov 26 South Carolina State 7:00
Nov 30 Michigan ESPN2 9:00

Dec 5 at South Carolina 1:00
Dec 12 at Florida State FSN 6:15
Dec 17 Savannah State 7:00
Dec 19 UNCG FSSO 5:00
Dec 22 at College of Charleston FSSO/NESN 7:00
Dec 27 Delaware State 7:00
Dec 29 East Carolina 7:00

Jan 2 Citadel 4:00
Jan 8 Miami ESPNU 6:00
Jan 11 Georgia Tech RSN 7:00
Jan 18 at North Carolina Raycom 8:00
Jan 22 at Maryland Raycom 2:30
Jan 25 NC State RSN 7:00
Jan 29 Florida State Raycom Noon

Feb 2 at Virginia ESPNU 9:00
Feb 5 at Georgia Tech Raycom (split) 1:00
Feb 8 Boston College ESPNU 9:00
Feb 12 North Carolina Raycom (split) 1:00
Feb 17 at NC State ESPN/ESPN2** 7:00
Feb 20 at Miami tba
Feb 26 Wake Forest RSN 4:00

Mar 2 at Duke ESPN/ESPN2** 9:00
Mar 5 Virginia Tech ESPN/ESPN2** Noon

Go Tigers!

Clemson Basketball news trickling out

Just yesterday, ESPN's Andy Katz published an article about Brownell entitled, "Will Brad Brownell take the Clemson Tigers to the next level?"

The article is mostly positive press for Clemson and Brownell, which of course is good, especially everyone has more attention focused on whether Kyle Parker is coming back or going out west next year.

And because Trevor was drafted in the first round and is now playing with John Wall, the national press and identity of Clemson is on more people's minds. Read: Trevor Booker is a Grown-Ass Man, from the Washingtion Post Blog and  this Trevor Booker: Washington's overlooked newcomer. Per the NBA Summer league, here is Trevor Booker's stats, in addition to past players "Uncle Cliff" Hammonds, James Mays, and Raymond "tiny wine" Sykes. Should any of the players other than Booker make an NBA team, which is doubtful, it would only help Clemson.

Nonetheless, next year has the possibility of being something special for the Tigers. They can make the best of Brownell and and program and keep it soaring to new heights. I don't know if we'll see Brownell rappel down from the rafters of Littlejohn to get the crowd going, but if knows what is good for the crowd and program, he is going to have to come up with some creative, interesting, intriguing ways of keeping people involved in Clemson Basketball.

The first option for doing so, of course, is putting a winning team on the floor. Whether they are adaptive, pressing, whatever. I think Clemson fans want and expect to win now.

And as long as Brownell isn't Shyatt v2.0 and has some success on the court, Clemson fans will continue to attend and follow basketball.

Go Tigers!

Brownell Comes to Tiger Town

Clemson Basketball held a press conference this afternoon announcing Brad Brownell as the next Clemson Men's Basketball coach.




I know his name doesn't have the pinache, of say, Jeff Bzedlik, or whatever, but this could turn out to be a smart hire for Clemson.

I remember watching Brownell's UNCW teams and knew that they were a capable, disciplined, well-coached team. I know some have knocked his recruiting ability, but let's hope he is able to hire a strong recruiter to fill this void.

I feel for Dr. Ron Bradley, but I think the Shyatt debacle proved to be more than he, the athletic department, and even fans, could surmount.

It's time to move forward, no matter what you think of TDP or of any of these developments.

Go Tigers.

OP headed to DePaul?

Rumors are swirling now that the NCAA championship over.
And the rumors point to OP becoming a Blue Demon.

Reports are that OP is headed to DePaul.
http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/04/clemson-coach-purnell-at-depaul-on-monday.html
http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/Goodman-Clemson-coach-Purnell-to-take-over-at-DePaul-040510
http://clemson.scout.com/2/959982.html
http://www.tigernet.com/view/story.do?id=8516

More thoughts, analysis, and reflection to come later.
What does this mean for the future of Clemson Basketball?

Time to move content to
clemsonhoops.net

The Clemson Tigers face their Doppelganger The Missouri Tigers Today

I tried to think back to 1996.
What did I do differently than the past two years in the tournament?
Mainly, the internet.

So, I tried to not get excited.
I tried to avoid the pressure to get something out before selection Sunday.
I didn't want to get wrapped up in the hoopla.

Maybe it was superstition to think as such.

But I couldn't avoid the pull of the NCAA tournament, especially with the Tigers v. Tigers matchup today.

Rather than give a regurgitated preview/review of the game, I am including a collection of links concerning today's game.

First year players could be key when Clemson faces Missouri
Another chance to see if Clemson belongs on the big stage
Clemson, Missouri put pressure on the opponents
Expect a Fast pace when Clemson Missouri meet
Tigers have almost identical Stripes
MU's opponent hasn't fared well as a higher seed
MU and Clemson have a unique knowledge of each other
Five Keys to a Clemson Victory
Fierce pace expected in Tigers face-off

I will keep everything else up-to-date via Twitter (@theopblog)

Go Tigers!

After stumbling, Clemson Basketball falls to NCSU

The OP Stat of the game: Noel Johnson 12 pts, 4-6 shooting 

 Tanner Smith cringes in defeat (Greenville News)

I don't know even where to start.

Last night was ugly from the start. NC State played with an obvious fire and enthusiasm that the Tigers did not have. I am not sure if they were complacent because they supposedly have locked up a place in the NCAA tournament or not. They will probably make the tournament, but solely because the at-large field is weak this year.

Even this tactic didn't work last night.

Insert your own Caption Here (News and Observer)

 Outside of a few top teams, no team has shown any real consistency and staying power, Clemson obviously included.

Last night, one of the single bright spots was the play of Noel Johnson. Neither the lights, the partisan crowd, nor the lack of referee control bother him. Here is a link to the complete boxscore. Here is a gallery link from the Raleigh News and Observer, obviously a bit NC State-centric.

The rest of the team, TBooker included, looked out-of-sync and TBooker looked aghast at the lack of fouls being called- for the second game in a row. I thought he would have learned that things change in the endgame, the end of the season.

But, for all of the lack of fouls called and the fouls called that were not fouls, the foul call total was even 15-15. And here's more proof that it was all ball last night when Booker was whistled for his fourth.

 Trevor Booker gets all ball, still gets called for a foul (News and Observer)

The unevenness, though, was in the lack of rebounding effort. NCSU played bigger and stronger than Clemson last night. Tracy Smith, upset from being overshadowed by Booker and being called a poor man's Booker played tough and didn't let any criticism bother him.

The only solace I, and all, or at least most, Tiger fans can take from this is hopeful possibility of a Third Consecutive NCAA tournament bid, a first for Clemson Basketball. So in the grand scheme of Clemson Basketball, the Tigers are on the right track. As for last night, not so much.

Per next week, we'll have to wait and see.

Meekly,

Go Tigers

Clemson stumbles into the ACC Tournament

It wasn't supposed to happen like this.

Trevor Booker and the heralded freshman class were supposed to contend for an ACC crown right away. Booker's senior leadership and the freshmen athleticism were going to usher in a new era for Clemson basketball.

As it stands, Clemson missed out on an opportunity for a 3rd seed and slipped to a 6th seed by virtue of losing at Wake and now have to play NCSU on Thursday night. They are the only team playing on Thursday with 20+ wins.The game is at 9pm. Should they defeat NCSU, they play FSU on Friday night at 9pm. Both games could go either way.

If the Tigers cannot regroup from the inconsistencies they demonstrated on Sunday, they will have an early exit. If they can take advantage of the neutral court site, where they have already had some success this season against UNC-Greensboro.

And as I said in November, hopefully, the UNCG game will help the Tigers prepare for the ACC tournament.

OP said this of the Tigers' focus going into the ACC tournament, 
"We don't need to think about the ACC title, we don't need to think about the NCAA first-round game or any of that stuff - we've got to get our focus squarely on N.C. State. If you win a couple, then you can change your mindset."

Despite the bloodied eye, Trevor Booker was named to the All ACC 1st team.
I don't feel the need to delve into his performance or lack thereof against Wake on Sunday. The refs clearly were letting them play down low. Booker needed to take advantage of this a little more.

I know he didn't get any calls, just a bloody eye.

From @TBook35 A Busted Eye...but no foul

That pretty much sums up the ACC season game against Wake.

The awards have been announced and everyone's favorite Terp is the ACC player of the year. And the Gary Williams is the Coach of the year. I can live with that, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

Here is an interactive 2010 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament Bracket from The ACC:

It comes down to the last game for the Tigers

29 games played and it comes down to the last game.

Sunday, March 7 at 6:00 against Wake Forest.

The game against Wake will be the Tigers only match against Wake this season, barring an ACC tournament rematch, which is not out of the realm of possibility.

So here we are.
This season the Tigers have played through ups and downs. They beat a then and now ranked Butler team after falling to  Texas A&M in the 76 Classic in Anaheim.

They let a 23 point lead disappear against Illinois in the ACC-Big Ten challenge to lose the game 76-74.
They accelerated the UNC trainwreck with a proper throttling of the Tarheels in Littlejohn.

They played through Stitt's injury in the NCSU game.

They could not escape the distance and the frigid air in Chestnut Hill and lost a game they should have won to BC.

They battled in the Snow in Blacksburg, but came up short, 70-59.

They followed up the loss to VT with a string of three wins before another Illinois-like collapse against MD, in which the Tigers relinquished an 18 pt lead.

Again, the Tigers showed their resilience after the MD loss and put together two wins, including Trevor Booker and David Potter's final game in Littlejohn, a 91-80 beat down of GT, who had just barely defeated the Tigers earlier this year in ATL, 66-64.

Now, the Tigers have these options in front of them: (from D1scourse.typepad.com)
No. 3 with a win AND a Florida State win
No. 3 with a win AND a Virginia Tech loss
No. 4 with a win AND a Virginia Tech win AND a Florida State loss
No. 4 with a loss AND a Florida State loss
No. 6 with a loss AND a Florida State win

The formula is simple, a win for the Tigers and they will assure themselves of a first round bye in the ACC tournament.

A loss requires a bit of new math in order for the Tigers to procure a first round bye.
This seeding, of course, predicates the big tournament. Which, according to some analysts, the Tigers are a lock; while to others, the Tigers still have some work to do to make reservations.

This is it Tigers.

Win and you're in; or out- or whatever preposition you need. Sunday's game against Wake is nearly a must-win if the Tigers want to solidify their NCAA tournament hopes and grab a first round ACC tournament bye.

Go Tigers!

Senior Success for Potter and Booker as Clemson defeats GT 91-80

The OP Stat of the Game: Trevor Booker and David Potter Four successful years in Clemson

 

Clemson Students salute Potter and Booker (Greenville News)

This is Clemson Basketball, Orange Suede and all.

 

            David Potter and OP (Greenville News)                                          Trevor Booker and OP (TigerNet)

Every year since Potter and Booker arrived on the Clemson campus, the team has improved. While some believe the squad and the program has plateaued, I would argue that this team, even this late in the season, is still improving and performing in a top 25 manner. Per the program itself, being mentioned and discussed in national terms is something that has rarely occurred for Clemson, despite having 99 years of basketball.

For fans to expect Clemson to turn into UNC overnight, or even over a couple of years is ridiculous. Clemson is ever-improving, despite any missteps, a la Illinois/Maryland, this team or program has. In the past, those games were immediately chalked up as losses. Now, because of increased expectations, every game the Tigers play, they expect to win. The profile of Clemson Basketball is higher now than maybe ever- at least in terms of national media.

All of this aside, last night's win was huge for Clemson. They have now won 5-6 of their last ACC games, less the Maryland game. The Tigers currently stand in third place inthe ACC  and are playing well going into the NCAA tournament. They have made a big statement by winning in Tallahassee and (hopefully) stamped their tickets or whatever to the NCAA with the emphatic win over GT. They have separated themselves somewhat from the logjam in the center of the ACC. Here's a link to the stats, boxscore, etc. from the big home win.

While the Tigers might not yet be assured of a first round bye in the ACC tournament, they are poised to make that happen. Watch this game review from Raycom:



Trevor Booker performed like it was his last game in Littlejohn with 21pts and 9reb, while Potter played the game like his last as well shooting 3-6 from 3pg to finish with 11pts.

Here's some more Trevor Booker love in the form of a profile from Raycom:



Now the Tigers wait until Sunday for Wake and the end of the season.

Tonight is a big night in the ACC for the Tigers, even though they aren't playing, as FSU and Wake match-up tonight.

Go Tigers!