Clemson Basketball: Oglesby leaving: links

ESPN

"It's true that Terrence is leaving Clemson and the expectation that he's signing with someone in Europe," Purnell said. "It hasn't been finalized yet or he hasn't gotten an agent. But he felt there were opportunities out there for him in either Spain or Italy."

Fox Sports

"That[money] had nothing to do with it," said Oglesby, whose family is more than comfortable financially. "It had everything to do with living the dream of playing pro basketball. I'm lucky to get the opportunity. It's exciting."

Anderson Independent

“I left the guys out to dry,” he said afterward in the Clemson locker room. “I was sitting back here watching the game and the team showed a lot of heart bringing it back. I just wish they could have kept going. It’s a miserable feeling knowing you can’t do anything about it.”

And this decision is supposed to rectify the end of the year performance?

Time to move forward.
Go Tigers!

No more TO?!- Terrence Oglesby to Europe

So it has come to this. The player everyone loves (to hate), etc. is going to Europe.
Really, this is quite odd.

Here is the story from The State. He apparently will be headed to Italy.

This will be a bit hit for the Tigers. Who is going to step up to match the intensity and outside shooting of TO?

One key bit of information in The State story:

Purnell is on vacation and unavailable for comment, a school spokesman said. Attempts to reach Oglesby were unsuccessful.

Man it up TO. Wait to make this announcement when OP is in town. Talk, etc.

Things have become interesting in this slow off season now. I wonder if any recruits will step up or will now be in the mix.


Hmm, More Later.

Go Tigers!

Clemson Basketball Press Conference transcript

The following is a link to the KC, MO press conference. It isn't extremely long, but very insightful. It isn't a sunshine fest.
Here is the .pdf file.

Terrence Oglesby had this to say about the team

Right after we lost to Georgia Tech, we had practice the very next day after the bus trip back. We've had an abundance of team meetings, and, you know, I think we've really come together a lot more as a team and just being able to focus on our goal and establishing our goal and our goals to advance. And obviously, you know, we have to carry forward and, like I said, play as a team in order to get that, and I think that's one way you rebound is just getting the mental part back into -- back into focus.

My favorite line is the euphemistic usage of "an abundance of team meetings."

The file is a worthwhile read. OP reflects on the dusty nature of our zone offense and what occurred in the Michigan losses, very insightful. The players sound knowledgeable, intelligent, in addition to being focused, loose, and ready.

Go Tigers!

New Clemson Men's Basketball Video Diary Posted

The Tigers are at the Shoot around practice. So now you have time to Wateh the video of the team Enjoying the College Basketball Experience- again, Silverlight is needed.

You'll see

Notice KC being self-reflexive with the KC hat.

TO and Booker in the broadcast booth.

And Jerai plays the air saxophone and reveals he went to band camp in this video.It's nice to see the team have some fun.


Here's the link to the full image gallery. Enjoy from ClemsonTigers.com

And from the College Experience on Team Building:


Go Tigers!

On the plane to KC.

Here is the first link to the Clemson Video Diary- you need MS Silverlight-
The first installment involves Terrence Oglesby interviewing Jerai Grant, Tanner Smith, Bobo, a band member, a cheerleader, and a rallycat in a segment TO calls "The Air up There Hot Seat"


Enjoy the narrative diary link as well.

Go Tigers!

Tigers clear the bench against UVA, 75-57

The OP Stat of the Game: Jesse Yanutola, 2 minutes played; Raymond Sykes 14 points, 2 asts, 5 reb

Please. Don't taunt my boy Stitt. You will lose. What's your name again?

Tonight was big. Hopefully, it helps us get back, on track. Not just for the seniors, but for the future. It was nice to see everyone get some playing time, but I really wish KC would have had a bigger last home game. He still has time for some big games and as a whole, the Tigers have played well on the road.

Tonight, our defense drove our offense. Landesberg was a non-factor and Calvin Baker couldn't sustain his early procution. Our offense produced- if sporadically. I only wish Narcisse, Anderson, Baicu, Baize, Petrokunis, and Jesse "Nuts" Yanutola could have scored.

Terrence Oglesby lead the team stoically with 18 points. Many of those points came from his designated hitter position as Technical foul Shooter. In this respect, UVA gave up way too many points. It is almost unfathomable that the Tigers lost to the Hoos the first time around, especially when you look at the size of Leitao's blazer. It had nothing on the orange suede.

Here's a view from the floor, as Landesberg misses a shot:

Brick.

Again, things are might fall in place for the Tigers, as Duke beat FSU and Maryland is in a tough game against Wake.

Congratulations Seniors!

Read a few stories about KC and Raymond to reminsce on the Class of 2009:
Rivers closing out career at Littlejohn- The State
Rivers takes final bow at Littlejohn- The Greenville News
Sykes wraps up memorable Career- The Greenville News

Go Tigers!

Tigers lose at home to Va. Tech

The OP Stat of the Game: Demontez Stitt, 14 points, 5 assists, 1 TO, 2 blk, 2 stl

Clemson Dejection: An Ode (from the Greenville News)

With the loss, the Tigers fall to 8-5 in the ACC. No longer are the Tigers in possession of second place, but are now in a tie for 3rd with FSU- who, wouldn't you know, they play next in Tallahassee. then comes the in-between game against UVA, and then the away game conclusion against Wake.

The standings as of the end of last night:

School	Conf.	Pct.	Overall	Pct.
North Carolina	10-3	.769	24-3	.889
Duke	9-4	.692	23-5	.821
Clemson	8-5	.615	22-5	.815
Florida State	8-5	.615	21-7	.750
Wake Forest	7-5	.583	20-5	.800
Boston College	8-6	.571	20-9	.690
Virginia Tech	7-6	.538	17-10	.630
Maryland	6-7	.462	17-10	.630
NC State	5-7	.417	15-10	.600
Miami	5-8	.385	16-10	.615
Virginia	3-9	.250	9-14	.391
Georgia Tech	1-12	.077	10-16	.385

Last night, save the first two minutes of the game, the Tigers looked drowsy, sluggish, lethargic. It was like the opening of the game took all of their in-game energy away. Yet, the Tigers were always in the game, within striking distance. Never once, however, did someone give us that extra boost we needed.

Booker looked to be the catalyst in the first half, but he couldn't get it to fall in the second half. KC played fairly efficiently, but didn't take the team on his shoulders, opting instead to play as a team player, rather than as a senior leader. Sykes was all but absent. Potter couldn't stay out of foul trouble. To be fair, the officials were calling some weak fouls- on both sides. However, this is the ACC, with ACC officials, the Tigers should be used to inconsistent, cheap foul calls. Maybe they were trying to keep the game in check- who knows.

TO tried to take the game over, as he tied the game with two threes and a FT. Still, it wasn't enough. The Tigers couldn't break through, as evidence in the last play of the game- TO gets the ball on the left side, but passes on the shot, passing to Stitt who vainly attempts to draw a foul. I don't know if it was a mistake, or miscommunication, but it was ugly.

Turnovers killed us last night. Vassallo killed us last night. Delaney killed us last night. We were unable to control the ball with 16 turnovers and 12 VT steals. The Hokies easily dribbled around, through, and over the press. Nothing we did really stopped them.

Again, when we came so close to attaining the goal moving up the ACC leaderboard, we slipped.

But now, we move on

Read what others have to say about last nights' game:

Tigers Stumble- Greenville News
Clemson edged by Virginia Tech in Heartbreak, 80-77- Clemson Tigers official recap
Tigers slip up, slide down standings- The State
Delaney helps Va. Tech upset Clemson, end losing streak- CBS Sports
Tigers throw away another opportunity: Virginia Tech 80, Clemson 77- Charleston.net
Gamestats: SCACCHoops

Go Tigers!

Clemson Wins at Georgia Tech 81-73

The OP Stat of the Game: Andre Young, 4-4 3pg, 12 pts.

The fans in the ATL echo the sentiment of the Clemson Fan Base.

OP addressed any concerns about his leaving in the GT pregame press conference, with video from the Greenville News.

On to the game, while the stat of the game could have gone to KC, Booker, or Young, I chose Young because of he provided a spark from the bench. Booker and Rivers should be playing like they did today. Young, though, really stepped up his game. While he had two careless turnovers, his scoring more than made up for the mistakes.

Today's game began a bit ominously, as the Tigers started slowly- again- it looked like the Virginia game all over again. Georgia Tech moved ahead early and lead by as much as 12, 27-15, with about 7 minutes to go in the first half. The yellow jackets were hot for most of the first half, shooting 62%.

The Tigers cut the lead and went into the half tied at 33.

The opening minutes of the second half belonged to Clemson. The Tigers forced several turnovers and KC few big shots, a 3pg and an FG within the first 21 seconds of the 2nd half. The pace quickened a bit throughout the second half, as GT would let the Tigers move more than a few points ahead. Lewis Clinch had a career game today and was almost single-handedly responsible for the Yellow Jackets staying close.

In the end, the Tigers proved they can actually play on Sunday, or on the weekend. This coupled with the maturation of Young and Stitt (9 pts, 7 ast, 1 to) should help us in the upcoming weeks.

Noticeably absent from today's game was Terrence Oglesby, who was playing with the flu- I also didn't see dreadlocks guy, though he was in the Raycom pregame video. And while Oglesby did not have a great game, David Potter stepped up and played efficiently today. Hopefully, the Tigers are ready for this tough stretch run before the ACC tournament.

Up next, the Tigers play Virginia Tech Wed, followed by a surging(?) FSU team, Virginia, and they conclude at Wake.

Go Tigers!

Clemson to bring the onions tonight against Maryland

Onions? Yes.

In the Bill Raftery manner, of course.

Tonight: 7:30pm, announced by Mike Patrick and Bill Rafferty
Watch: ESPN2
Listen: WCCP-FM
Follow: SCACCHoops

Maryland would like nothing more than to beat Clemson in Littlejohn, especially after last year, as TO hit the game winning shot, was named ACC Rookie of the week and Greivis Vasquez became the second most hated player on that court. Then there was the Scott Van Pelt-TO exchange. Oh, the memories of last year.

PS, I still love this girl.

Per tonight's game, Strelow of the The State seems to think the fates of Maryland and Gary Williams and Clemson and Oliver Purnell are inextricably interwoven. I don't know for sure. Hopefully, Maryland will lose tonight and win all of their other games, thus rendering any speculation about OP to Maryland a moot point.

Now, the Gary Williams Comedy Hour comes to Littlejohn.

GW- "Did Grievis make curfew last night?"
Other coach- "I think so."
GW- "Next time check again, because I think that girl wore him out last night; he looks tired and he's playing like sh*t."

Or something along those lines. It's hard to read his lips when he turns around to yell.
And Grievis, supposing he made curfew last night, will be the player to watch on Maryland. He is hot-headed and makes lazy, splashy passes. Hopefully, our press will be able to clamp down on him and the rest of the team.

The Terrapins are undersized compared to FSU, Wake, and even UVA. However, with their lack of height, they will be looking to exploit our lack of size on the perimeter and dribble through the press. Maryland will do whatever it takes. Remember the knock against GW has never been that he cannot coach- it is the recruiting that the Terp fans, alum, etc., are up in arms about. Maryland will be ready.

The Tigers will need a senior performance from KC Rivers in addition to solid defensive performances from Potter, Sykes, and Grant. We have to control the inside. If they pack it in like UVA, it is going to be another long game, especially if the Tigers are not hitting their outside shots. Our defense will have to flex its prowess and stay mobile. If the start beating the press, we have to adjust, mix-it-up, whatever. Should the press not be entirely effective, it doesn't have to be abandoned- just tweaked at times.

This is a big game for the Tigers to get back on track. Conversely, it is also a big game for the Terps to do the same and establish a stronger foothold in clustered middle of the ACC.

Go Tigers!

Clemson falls to #13 after losing to UVA

The OP Stat of the Game: Raymond Sykes- 9 pts, 11 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl.

Maybe if I wait long enough, it will be gone when I return. Or, something like that.

Coming out of a week with a Friday the 13th, everything was in place for the Tigers to move into the top 10, maybe even the top 5. Every team the Tigers needed to win in the ACC won. Clemson was all but being ushered into 2nd in the ACC. However, what could have been a perfect storm-like event for the Tigers, became a perfect suck-storm, as they completely lost focus in Charlottesville yesterday.

As a result of our inability to take advantage of advantageous situations, we are involved in a cluster-eff at 6-4 with three other teams: Boston College, FSU, and Wake Forest. And if I am not mistaken, we have lost to two of those teams.

Again, when we stuck with the press, we were killed. If it is going to work, it has to be used effectively- in spurts, different looks, 1/2 court situations, etc- otherwise, it gimmickry.

Per our endgame- I have nothing to say on something that did not exist.

Why didn't we call a timeout in the end to run a set play? TO was trying- maybe too hard. Until his name is JJ Reddick, he is not going to get all the floppy, fakeshot, fouls.

And I don't know if this is Stitt, play-calling, or what, but get the ball inside. We weren't being defended on the perimeter because we were broke, not because the shots were falling. Make them foul us. For all of the tough inside game we have, it is-or has become-soft.

Now is the time for adjustment. Teams have figured out how to deal with us- which is fine, that is what coaches do. But, we need to counter, both offensively and defensively- somehow.

Up next is Maryland. They look to be turning a corner as they are now 5-5 in ACC play. With a few wins, they could be on the bubble. And know, a Gary Williams, despite whatever concerns terrapin fans have about his recruiting skills, etc, more times than not comes ready to play.

So for all of the Road Warrior speak and 80s orange and purple zubaz nostalgia, it is now time to take care of homecourt.

Go Tigers!

Clemson takes on Virginia Tomorrow

When: 1:00 pm, Sunday, Feb. 15
Where: JPJ Arena, Charlottesville, VA
Watch: Raycom
Listen: WCCP-FM

Right now, Clemson has sole possession of third place in the ACC. Thanks to Maryland's 83-73 win over VT and Wake's win against FSU.

So, what is it going to be tomorrow? This UVA game could be another trap game. To be fair, however, UVA is not nearly as strong, physical, or talented as FSU.

Nonetheless, the Wahoos have Sylven Landesberg an ACC Freshman-of-the-year candidate. If UVA could get a few wins, he might even have a chance of winning. Currently, Landesberg averages 17.8 ppg and 5.9 rpg. At least he's not a high-scoring guard- which is the type of player we have been having problems.

So tomorrow, we control our destiny. Should we win, root for Duke to lose in Chestnut Hill at 5:00 pm. A Duke loss would place us 2nd in the ACC behind UNC.

To help get you excited about the game, here's some internet reading material:
Terrence Oglesby Article Greenville News
Clemson's Oglesby proving he's more than just a shooter- Upstate Today
Opinion piece: Clemson must hold onto Purnell- Upstate Today
Purnell, Tigers have become Road Warriors
An oddly titled article from the Greenville News,
Clemson Starting to Turn heads on the road - I have to question the usage of the word starting.

Now some rankings:
Sagarin, #6
Ken Pomeroy, #16
College RPI, #8
CNNSI Power Ratings, #7

And just for fun, Watch Terrence Oglesby Miss a Dunk.
Then, Watch Oglesby Make a Dunk.

Go Tigers!

Clemson Basketball Highlights.

No! My Ball. -TO

This image appears to be Booker in pre-dunk form. You are partially right.
Notice, also, the high quality lighting system used in Conte Forum.

Andy Katz, ESPN: Clemson Still Eyeing ACC Title
Jeff Goodman, Fox Sports: Clemson not going away anytime soon
The Greenville News
The Anderson Independent

ESPN Highlights

Terrence Oglesby Can Dunk!!!

TO Can Dunk:

As opposed to this:

TO's Missed Dunk.

Clemson Wins at BC, 87-77.

The OP Stat of the game: Terrence Oglesby 6-10 3pt

For the first time in a while, the starting lineup, as a whole showed up, as they accounted for 82 of our 92 points.

Again Demontez Stitt came to play, as he had 11 points.

Raymond Sykes, "Tiny Wine," I owe you an apology.
You have proven you can play. Your line tonight was commendable: 12 pts., 9 reb.(7 OR), 4 blks.

And the rest of the team: Rebounds Ahoy!- We decided to go after the basketball in the second half and ended up outrebounding BC 36-31. The Tigers controlled the ball and committed only 10 TOs, while adding 10 stls, and 8 blks.

Per the fouls, it seemed, at least until the end that the Goatiqued One, Tyrese, Tutankhamen, Rice could walk, run, spaz, whatever right through the defense, as he received a call everytime he approached the basket. And for all the hyperbole of Dan Bonner, it was nice of him and "Shawty Get Loose" Hogewood to acknowledge that that was the first time Rice had fouled out in his collegiate career.

Sometimes the headband and the Goatee are impediments, Mr. Rice. Nonetheless, he had 17 points, while Rakim Sanders, let the rhythm hit 'em and had 23 points, probably a career high.

I liked the second half intensity. And I liked the defensive adjustments. Some our our best defense was with Potter playing the point of the press and Booker playing under the rim. This will work when Booker is not in foul trouble. It would be nice to see the OP press change its focus at times. The half court press and secondary man-to-man intensified in the second half as well. Both of these adjustments were not made in the FSU game. Nice work OP. Nice work Tigers.

Now we move toward Virginia. If you thought FSU was a trap game, wait until the Virginia game. Leitao will be coaching for his job. And while FSU won tonight by 10-ish against UVA, it was close throughout in Tallahassee.

More is to come.

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.

TO missed Dunk VIDEO!!

Clemson Wins: Articles and Photos

We all know by now that Duke lost in a numeric, palindromic manner, 74-47.
Let's take a lazy spin around the interwebs to see what others have to say about the win.

OP- "Are you effin' kidding me ref, this blazer is Awesome. Check it out on my site: OrangeSuede.com"

OP- "Get the eff out of the way. Here comes the Orange Blazer Bitches!"

Shall we continue?

Duked!- via Deadspin
Embarrassing- via The Duke Chronicle
Clemson Crushes Duke- Photos - Raleigh News & Observer
Duke Stinks it up in Littlejohn- 850 the Buzz Blog
Block-C Game Photos- via Block C
Greenville News Photos- via The Greenville News
Anderson Independent Photos- via The Anderson Independent
CUTigers Photos- via CUTigers

And for fun, OP's reaction to TO's missed dunk:



ESPN News Highlight of the Night-


Anderson Independent Video-


Purnell Post Game Reaction- via The Anderson Independent


Go Tigers!

Holy God, The Tigers win- 74-47- WOW!

The OP Stat of the Game: Clemson 74- Duke 47

Forty-effin-seven.

WOW.

Dreadlocks Guy loves it.


TO loves it.



Largest Margin of Victory over a Top 5 team- ever.
The Tigers move to 19-2 overall.

And while Clemson cannot beat UNC in Chapel Hill, they have beaten Duke twice in a row.
Sucks to your Duke-i-ness Coach K.

More Analysis to come.

Go Tigers!

Clemson Captures Big Win in Blacksburg, 86-82

The OP Stat of the Game: KC Rivers, 29 pts, 7-10 3PT
or, is it
Trevor Booker double-double- 21 pts, 13reb?
or, is it
David Potter's endgame?

Now, someone tell me what positive did Bobby Knight add to tonight's game? He so wanted VT to win so bad.

Is it because OP is such a good guy? Does Knight really hate the press that much? Whatever it is, Knight was having to eat his words at the end of the game.

Tonight looked pretty grim from the outset. The first half was ugly. KC Rivers kept us in the game with his three-point shot.

When we went to the half, I felt dejected. My stomach was had that UNC feeling. I probably cursed more than necessary.

But, just as OP has preached throughout the course of the year, the first minutes of each half determined the outcome of the game. After being down my nine at the half and then in the first two and a half minutes, VT extended the lead to 15, a significant shift occurred. We moved from a full court press to a half court press/trap.

The movement to the halfcourt game,coupled with the continued emphasis on getting Booker the ball, changed the rhythm of the game. With the inside/outside game working, we were able to erase a fifteen point deficit via a 20-1 run. We were able to slow down the game which force VT to get completely out of sync.

Booker rebounded, KC scored, and Potter came up big in the end. hitting a three, a two, his FTs, and just getting after it on defense. I guess he was trying to atone for the early first half fouls he gathered. Nice job and seven assists, DP.

Hopefully, this game gets us out of our offensive (defensive) funk. Well, except for Oglesby. Still, it was nice to see a passionate team again tonight. When we were down, we never stopped.

A big, big win for the Tigers tonight. This game places us squarely in the ACC mix- in a three-way tie for third with UNC and VT, behind Duke and Wake.

Now, we move on to a home game against Duke. But, not until next Tuesday. I almost (almost) with it were sooner. But it will be nice for Duke to get out their frustrations against Virginia after their last second loss to Wake last night.

Go Tigers!

Oliver Purnell previews VT game

Video Link (I had to delete the embedded video because of the autoplay- annoying.)

Reporter: Have you talked to TO about his shooting in the last two games? He's lead the team in scoring the last couple of games, but he's has missed an awful lot of shots.

OP: NO. I really haven't. I thought he was pretty good the other night against Georgia Tech. I think sometimes we search for thinks that are wrong. There really isn't a whole lot wrong with his jumpshot...When he gets an open shot, I think it is going in.

And some reading material concerning TO, little Booker, Big Booker:

• Oglesby looks to regain 3 point touch from the Greenville News
• Union County's Booker Develops into total package from GoUpstate.com
• The Jigsaw Man Fills in the Missing Pieces for NCAA contenders, Seth Davis from CNNSI

Trevor Booker, according to Seth Davis, is what Arizona State needs to contend.

Here's the quote:

Missing piece: Trevor Booker, 6-7 junior center, Clemson

Did someone call for an enforcer? Booker is that and much more. He's crafty and agile, and he possesses a surprising shooting touch. Even though he's a bit undersized as a center, Booker leads the ACC in both blocks (2.72 per game) and field-goal percentage (.558) and is third in rebounds with 8.7 per game. Plus, he's a lefty like Harden, so they should be truly simpatico on the court.

Go Tigers!