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!

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 Basketball: 99-51 exhibition win

While I sat in traffic on I-85S, an exhibition game started.

The starting line-up: Stitt, Smith, Potter, Booker, Grant.

The veterans were given the start it seemed. One of the biggest stories, outside of the freshmen, this year might be the progression of Tanner Smith. Last night, he went for 16 points in 18 minutes on 50% 2pt and 60% 3pt. Smith has developed and matured as a player and as a leader. He has the poise and confidence of an older player.

Of the game, Tanner said, “One of the main things is just execution on offense. I think guys are still unsure of what we wanted offensively. We know what we want out of our offense, and that’s to go inside and out."

Just his use of the word "we" reflects his developing leadership and commitment to the team.

However, some of the real show came off the game came off the bench.

Noel Johnson came in with 19 points in 21 minutes on 70% 2pt and 50% 3pt. Additionally, Andre Young came off the bench to add 6 assists, 5 steals, 0 TOs, and solid 3pt shooting.

Last night showcased a mix of lineups, a little in-out play, but as OP said, “There’s a lot of [offense] stuff we have in that we didn’t run because we’re not that good at it yet."

So, it was a preview, just a little taste of what starts in less than a week- Friday the 13th.

It's going to be a big year.

Go Tigers!

Clemson Basketball: Noel Johnson, Raycom, the future

Andy Katz keeps Clemson and the ACC relevant today with a brief preview of Five Freshmen crucial to their teams' success.

Noel Johnson is chosen as one of five players, two of which come from the ACC, along with Derrick Favors.

I have been trying to keep a focus on Oliver Purnell and the Tigers over on the new Raycom Sports blog. I have posted twice.

1st: Is it Basketball Season Yet?
2nd: Moving Forward: BC and Beyond

Much of the information thus far has been handled through the lens of football.

Either way, check it out.

Basketball starts in less than one month.

Go Tigers!