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 Throttles ECU

The OP Stat of the Game: Tanner Smith 14 pts, 10 reb, 6 ast, 1 stl, 1 blk

Tanner Smith continued his maturation in the road game against ECU. He contributed significantly both before and after Stitt took an elbow to the face and was forced to change from #2 to #22. Tanner, along with Andre Young, combined for 30 points. Not bad.

Per Trevor Booker, well, he played Booker-Ball: 13 points, 12 rebounds and 9 ast. The biggest stat there is the assist column. He is beginning to be more confident passing the ball. And assuming the rest of the team continues to hit shots, things will open up for him down low.

About the freshmen, all four had solid games. Milton Jennings was the most efficient of the group with 8 points in 10 minutes of play. Devin Booker had 9 points in 14 minutes of play. Noel Johnson had 6 points in 18 minutes of play, but also fouled out- hmm? Hopefully his defense will shore up soon. Donte Hill had 2 points in 3 minutes of play. All four are starting to make moves offensively, putting up high efficiency ratings and making the most of their minutes. The season looks a little brighter after tonight for them.

One thing that looks a bit suspect, despite the 17 point win is the half by half comparison.

1st half: Clemson: 46, ECU: 29
2nd half: Clemson: 34, ECU: 34

I know we let up a little. I know we let some of the bench players get in on the action, which is important, but we have got to have that killer instinct. Like ex-Dukie, current ESPN analyst Jason Williams, I refuse to call him Jay Williams, said of John Wall, he has the " 'keep the lights on switch,' What I mean by keeping the light switch on is that no matter who the opponent is that particular night, you always stay aggressive."

This is something this bunch of Tigers lacks. That doesn't mean they cannot develop it, nor does it mean that they have an inability to possess such a thing. But the fact remains that the same aggressive, winning mentality should apply to Duke, Illinois, ECU, Furman, whomever.

I'ts not about niceties. It's not about friendship and camaraderie outside the team. It's about winning. That's it. That is what these Tigers are learning to do, but still have work to do.

Up next, two home games against CofC on 12/19 and Western Carolina on 12/22 Christmas/winter break, then a homestand conclusion against SC State on 12/29 before a brief new year's celebration and off to Durham for the Gamenight showdown against Duke.

I can't wait.

Go Tigers!

Clemson Basketball defeats USC 71-62

The OP Stat of the Game: Jerai Grant 11 reb, 12pts.

After crawling back from the ledge, OP donned the orange suede and Tigers stepped up at home to defeat the gamecocks.

While is isn't enough to atone for the loss last night in the ACCCG, nor the football loss to USC, it was a big step forward for the Tigers who did not give up after record-breaking collapse against Illinois.

Today, several players responded to a challenge, namely, Jerai Grant. While part of this is because of the attention paid to T. Booker on the inside, Jerai was more aggressive and efficient with his touches. He let the game come to him. Good for the Tigers, bad for the cox, and hopefully for future opponents as well. IF we continue to hit on the outside and have a double-sided inside presence, Booker will be able to re-establish his singular position on the inside.

Today was a big game, especially psychologically. OP and the Tigers responded well. USC kept it close, but they were not deep enough, nor strong enough today to hang. Devan Downey's uncharacteristically poor play, combined with the changing defenses, not just the solid full-court Tiger press, forced other USC players to try to step up.

Stitt played a solid game against Downey and proved why is a starter- his defense. Of course when you think that is all he has, Stitt turns in a 14 point game, just as Tanner Smith did.

The Tigers again played as a team. Even with Booker being held in check on the offensive and rebounding sides, he was able to pass the ball adroitly.

Of Trevor and the team's performance, OP wants Booker to touch the ball each trip down the court and thinks this performance will prove to the Tigers that "if you throw it into him, you're going to get some open looks."

While this was not a big win in terms of ACC standing, national standing, etc. It was big because it go the Tigers back on track and was a big psychological mountain that was scaled. In the past, when the Tigers would do the collapse, it would be a big slide, not just a one game skid.

Today's game hopefully proved otherwise.

Now, for some time off, a light pre-ACC/late-year schedule before it's on.

Go Tigers!

Clemson Tigers open season with win over PC

The OP stat of the Game: Bryan Narcisse, 10 pts.

I certainly a not so subtle blue hose PC metaphor , but its too easy.

So, it seems Tanner Smith was not the only one working on his game this summer. While Tanner Smith lead all scorers last night with 14. And while Noel Johnson showed off his offensive prowess with 12 points off four 3pt, it took a team effort to keep the pressure on the Blue Hose.

Looking beyond the standard box score, the TS% and the eFG% of Narcisse stands out. The eFG% (effective field goal %) takes into account the extra worth of a 3pt shot, while the TS% (true shooting percentage) calculates what a player’s shooting percentage would be if we accounted for free throws and 3-pointers. True Shooting Percentage = (Total points x 50) divided by [(FGA + (FTA x 0.44)]. Narcisse shot 71.4% for both. Tanner was 72.2% and 66.7% respectively. While both Noel Johnson, Andre Young, and David Potter all shot 66.7% per each category.

And yes, this speculative in terms of its worth, but at least it is an attempt to show the statistical gray areas usually missed by box scores.

Within the box score, it seemed the Tigers were set on proving the loss of KC Rivers and TO would not adversely affect their performance from beyond the arc, as they shot 14-30. While I don't think the Tigers will loft up 30 3pt shots a game, it was important for them to do so last night to begin laying the groundwork to establish and practice the inside-outside game.

OP himself thought the team became a little three-happy and ordered the team to go inside before going outside. This too was an important diktat, if the Tigers want to maintain an inside presence, rather than just relying on the reputation of their physical inside presence.

It was a fun opening game.

But now, it gets a little more difficult, as the Tigers play in Lynchburg, er, Falwell-ville, VA Tuesday morning against Liberty. Liberty nearly beat George Mason last night. While they lost Seth Curry to Duke, they are still powerful from the guard position, as they run 4-5 at a time.

The Tuesday morning game should be a nice way to avoid class, work, etc, as it will be on ESPN at 10am.

Also, Clemson will add Marcus Thornton to the team next year. The three-star recruit, chose Clemson over Maryland and Xavier.

Now its time to tailgate the NC State game.

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!

Tigers take on Wake tonight

Tigers finish regular season against Wake Tonight

Where: LJVM, W-S, NC
When: 3/8/09 6:00pm
Listen: WCCP-FM
Watch: FSN
Follow: SCACCHoops

It has been a little slow around the OP lately. Today things start hotting up again starting at 2 with FSU at VT, then 4 Duke at UNC, possibly without Lawson, and capped at 6 by Clemson at Wake.

A few things have popped up around the internets in anticipation of the tonight's last regular season game against Wake.

Tonight's game affects the Tigers in one way- seeding for the ACC tournament. It is 4 or 5. To be a four seed, the Tigers have to win and FSU has to lose to VT. Anything else and the Tigers are five a 5 or a 6 seed. As a 5 seed, we would play 12 seed GT next Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in the first round of the ACC tournament or; as a six seed we would play against 11 seed UVA at 9:30. From the Greenville News. UPDATE: We can slip to sixth now because of the BC win- Here is an explanation. (Thanks for the comments)

Would a win by FSU affect the way Clemson plays:
"It could," Clemson coach Oliver Purnell admitted Friday. "Our guys are human. But I like to think that with the experience of our club, they understand the importance of us playing well regardless."

Tanner Smith continues the tradition of Academic excellence for Clemson Basketball players- no I'm not joking. Think Cliff Hammonds- as he was named to the Academic All-ACC team.

Booker is set to lead the ACC in rebounds and FG%

Rivers is hurt and will be probably be wearing some sort of elbow protection today.

So today, the task is to beat Wake in Winston Salem, where the Tigers haven't won since Feb 21, 1990. This is a real possibility. Wake gains nothing with a win. We need/want a win, hopefully more than them.

Wake is tall, fast, and has several NBA-type players. The 10 point loss earlier this season was tough. Wake outclassed us on the court- maybe not off, remember McFarland vs. Clemson Fan. Today could be different.

I got to thinking about it. I don't know which arena is most difficult to play in for a visiting team, but can anywhere be more visually disturbing than Lawrence Joel Veteran's Coliseum? That giant black and gold tie-dyed roof bandana is atrocious. I usually don't discuss fashion tastes, but that tie-dye is heinous.

A scouting report is not really necessary for Wake at this point. They like to run fast, score a lot, and pack it inside. However, here it is- Aminu, Johnson, McFarland and even Tony Woods and Ishmael Smith all score primarily in the paint. Johnson likes the right baseline as well. Outside of Teague, no one on their team shoots many 3pts. Teague can shoot from most anywhere, but doesn't shoot alot from the corners- Let's try to force him to shoot from there.

Per the Tigers, we are going to have to try to make them uncomfortable defensively. The press will be used, but it will need to be adjusted and mixed up, because Teague and Smith can run right through it or pass over it. If our outside game is on and our defense can pressure them, it could be a good game. If FSU wins and the Tigers know, however, it could get ugly.

It pains me to say it, but let's root for the Hokies.

Powers Out!

Go Tigers!

Clemson Tigers blow it at home.

Seriously, WTF?!

The OP Stat of the Game: Raymond Sykes, 5-5, 10 pts, 6 reb.

The Tigers were up by 13 with 7-ish minutes to go, down from as much as 19.

OP waved the white flag.

The Tigers lost.

Raymond Sykes started the game on. He spent much of the game on the bench. WTF? FSU was working Booker. Sykes could have been the offensive spark the Tigers needed. We weren't hitting from the outside (6-24 3pt), so move it in side.

And for the love of god, bench TO. Keep him there. 2-9 fg, 1-6 3pt, 1 reb, 2 ast, 6 turnovers, 4 stls. While the steals helped, six turnovers is unacceptable. Especially as they were the result of his poor offensive performance.

What the Stitt? Stitt returned last night and might have had a bit more confidence in his game for the next two away games, but his team didn't support his strong-ish performance: 50% FG, 5 ast, 1 TO.

How about the rebounding? Where was it last night? 34 FSU, 23 Tigers, including 15 FSU offensive rebounds.

And per our FTs, 77.7% is a decent average. But, only being aggresive enough to have 9 FTs is not acceptable. If, as FSU did, they were going to pack the inside, why didn't we continue to take it there. Many of the blocks Alabi had were not against our strongest inside players, but against other players trying to slash inside rather than feed the post. I'm looking at you TO. And you too, Tanner.

“This is a very disappointing loss. On our home court, in a game we had some control of in the second half," said OP after the game.

Yes. Yes it is indeed.

Tigers outlast Wolfpack 63-51

The OP Stat of the Game: Trevor Booker, 23 pts, 6 reb, 6 blks.

While Booker put the team on his shoulders today, Tanner Smith had, again, another efficient game. In his 17 minutes, he scored 7 points, had 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and 4 steals. Tanner is making a name for himself with his offensive and defensive production.

The beginning of the game was ugly.
NCSU couldn't hit a shot.

At one point, they were 1-16. And still, we were only able to a 24-17 lead into halftime. During the first half, the Tigers were unable to take advantage of NCSU's missteps. This continued even into the second half, as Fells, Ferguson, and Costner worked to tie the game at 33 after about 2 minutes in the second half.

At times, it looked as if NCSU was going to be able to hang with the Tigers. But as has happened through most of the games this year, the OP press wore the opponent down and lead to 18 Wolfpack turnovers. Their thin rotation was could not match up with the press as Costner fouled out and McCauley had 4 fouls.

The Tigers prevented the pack from doing what they wanted to, go inside and play strong, efficient basketball- hmm, sounds like an ex-NCSU coach I know. I was especially reminded of Sendek when the Pack started playing the high post screens, pick-and-rolls, and back-door cuts.

The Wolfpack was able to limit Oglesby's production. He looked frustrated and out-of-sync, but played much better on defense when he was on the floor. Booker, on the other hand, kept much of the pack and their inside game out-of-sync with his 6 blocks. SIX.

I don't know if this was the best preparation for the two top five teams we are playing in the next weeks. A slow start like the one we had today and against Alabama will probably not get the job done.

Congratulations on 16-0 Tigers. It doesn't get any easier.

Next up: A week to prepare for Wake.

Go Tigers!

Tigers claw their way to a win over Alabama

The OP Stat of the Game: David Potter, 2 minutes played

While the Greenville News headline reads "Tigers roll past Alabama," I would say it would be more like sputtering. Had I written this post last night, it would have been peppered with obscenities.

Now, I can see a bit more clearly and still, we had no endgame. It didn't come down to missed freethrows, though the Tigers missed several in the end. It came down to David Potter. His injury early in the first half dictated the offensive and defensive rotations we used for the rest of the game. Without his inside play and rebounding presence, the Tigers got into foul trouble- Grant and Sykes both had four fouls.

The elbow to David Potter's face might be a minor concussion and I wish him well. His absence, however, demonstrates how important each individual team member is on this year's team. Though OP was able to make adjustments and Tanner Smith contributed nicely along with Bryan "Big Smooth" Narcisse's excitement off the bench, we never looked like we were in a groove; we never really looked, nor played comfortably.

For example, look at KC Rivers line: 12 points, 3 assists, 9 rebounds, 4 steals- not great, but not bad either. But look at his shot attempts: 5-16 FGM-A, 1-3 FTM-A, 1-7 3PTM-A.
This is not how KC Rivers plays when he is playing in his comfort zone.

And what about Trevor Booker? Yes, he led the team in scoring with 19 points, to go with 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. But of his shots, he was 6-12 including a missed dunk, a missed layup, two missed jumpers, and two missed three-pointers. His game was moved outside and without Potter to open up space and minutes, Sykes wasn't able to help Booker establish the inside game. This wasn't a total problem until the end.

After Alabama finally found the basket again, our compilation of fouls and our sudden lack of ball-handling skills in the endgame seemed to spell doom. We weren't hitting our FTs, an all-too-familiar-situation, and Alabama was poised to steal a win, or at least get a chance at it, even after Senario Hillman fouled out.

It was a tough win against a decent Alabama team. OP did a nice job of adjusting to Potter's injury and to the changing defenses the Tide showed. Were I awarding an OP player of the game nod, it would go to Tanner Smith. He was more efficient in his 13 minutes than most of the rest of the team. He had 6 pts on 3-5 shooting, 5 rebounds-incidentally the same as Booker.

So congratulations on the win Tigers. You showed repose, though maybe a bit too much in the end, and gathered another win to move to 15-0. Now it is on to the ACC, and every game from here on out will be difficult and also televised.

Next game: Saturday 12pm, NCSU.

Go Tigers!

Clemson wins Charleston Classic, defeats Temple

OP Stat of the Game: Trevor Booker double-double, 16 reb, 15 pts.

The Tigers were still plagued by the turnovers, 22 this time. They were up by as much as 14. The Owls kept the game interesting. They were undeterred with their 5 guard lineup. Christmas was held scoreless through the first half, but picked up his pace and ended with 14 points.

Terrence Oglesby continued his strong play and finished with 16 points. For the tournament, TO averaged 15.7 pts and Booker raised his rebound average to 13.7 rpg. For both, nice work.

Jerai Grant and David Potter might have been absent offensively, but both were the defensive stalwarts for the Tigers. But, it was David Potter's offensive rebound with 27 seconds left that finally sealed the deal for the Tigers. The lead was down to three, but with the rebound and pass to Booker, who hit both of his FT, the lead was increased to 5.

It was a good tournament and provided solid experience for the Tigers. When all cylinders were not hitting, support came from the freshmen, Tanner Smith and Andre Young, from the senior leader KC Rivers, the Nordic god, Terrence Oglesby, and the guidance of Demontez Stitt- all of which was anchored down low by Big 35- Trevor Booker.

The Tigers next match up against the Wily Terriers of Wofford, who play OP's previous school, Dayton, tonight.

Congratulations on the inaugural Charleston Classic Championship.

Go Tigers!

Clemson Defeats Hofstra

OP Stat(s) of the Game: Raymond Sykes- 13 points; Tanner Smith- 13 points; Trevor Booker- 16 points, 13 rebounds, Terrence Oglesby- 13 points, 3-4 3pt, Clemson Tigers- 98 points, 52.9% 3pt.

Congratulations Tanner "Gentle Ginger" Smith for an exceptional Tiger Debut.
Raymond "Tiny Wine" Sykes, solid work as well.I cannot remember a time when Raymond Sykes had such a dominant game. It seems he worked on his hand skills this summer.

OK, FT% and the point production of KC Rivers were not things we could rely upon tonight. But rather, Defense and Sykes and Tanner Smith. Defensively, the Tigers looked strong and this allowed them to have some room to work offensively.

The box score shows FIVE Tigers scoring in double digits: Rivers, Booker, Oglesby, Smith, and Sykes.

With the 98-69 win, the Tigers will be playing the silver and purple Horned Toads Frogs of TCU tomorrow, probably in the 8:00 game, as TCU defeated W. Michigan. The Tigers will not get an opportunity to avenge the early exit at the hands of the W. Michigan Broncos in the first round of the 1998 NCAA tournament. Elsewhere in the Charleston Classic, Charleston beat the tournament team with the longest name, SIU-Edwardsville, and Temple defeated ETSU.

Good thing VMI wasn't invited to this tournament, the Keydets won at Rupp Arena in Lexington against Kentucky tonight.

OP nicely called for the team to dribble out the game rather than hanging the century on the Dutchmen. Again, OP demonstrates class.

Oliver Purnell praised the Tigers' defensive efforts and though he thought the match-ups would be difficult, it was the native Dutch inability to handle the Tiger Press that was their undoing.

And so it goes. Booker is Booker, Oglesby is Oglesby, and Ginger is Ginger(?).

Bring on the Horned Toads- er, Frogs!

Thanks to all the Tiger fans and Alumni for making the first Charleston Classic hopefully fulfill its namesake as classic- at least for the Tigers.

Go Tigers!