After the 13 pt first half, little else could be done to save the win for the Tigers last night.
The best thing to take away from this game is, again, the team's resilience. Despite only scoring 13 pts in the first half, they won the 2nd half 29-20 and put themselves in the unlikely position of having a chance to win the game. Instead I found myself wanting to gouge out my eyes.
This is fact.
Andre Young scored as many points in the game, as did the entire team in the first half. Simply, the Tigers did not execute. They shot abysmally. Their defense was porous and they looked lost on the court offensively.
I have no real explanation for the performance beyond that. The team couldn't shoot the ball well, but not only that, they weren't getting in position to have a chance to shoot the ball well.
In a game that was a must win, as much as is every game, last night's performance was pathetic. They reverted to standing around and trying to let the game come to them, when they need to take it for themselves.
This should have been a win, tough, easy, or otherwise. Now, the game against GT becomes even more important. If Clemson cannot finish out close games, they will not make the NCAAT. If they lose to teams like UVA, GT, and Wake- even in away games, they will not make the NCAAT.
Now the Tigers will limp into Atlanta with little more than an purr after rolling over for the Cavaliers. In what could have been season-changing game, the Tigers failed to qualify and now will try to do it again on the road against GT.
The Tigers are 4-4. This was the only game of the first half of the season I did not predict correctly.
Thursday, February 3
Monday, January 31
Clemson runs FSU out of Tigertown
After the comeback win against NC State, I didn't know what to expect. I didn't know if the FSU game would be an adrenaline/momentum letdown, or another close game and a tough home loss.
What I did not expect was the Tigers' complete thrashing of the Seminoles.
The game was never close. The defense of the Tigers kept them in the game after the early barrage of shots stopped falling toward the end of the first half. Clemson, despite not hitting a single field goal in the final 12-ish minutes of the first half, went into halftime up by 9.
FSU never got any closer.
From then on it was
Jerai Dunk-a-thon (clemsontigers.com)
Dunk after Dunk and Shot after shot
Defensively, Clemson played tight and kept FSU reeling throughout. While the team didn't play the OP-cumulative-press, they played tough defensively, even tougher than one of the statistically best defensive teams in the ACC.
And while the ACC as a whole might be in a down year, this is a prime year for the Tigers to continue to build and improve. They have been doing so incrementally. Right now, the Tigers are in a logjam at 4-3 in the ACC. They can finish no worse than 4-4 in the first half of the ACC, with an away game at UVA coming up on Wednesday, followed by an an away game at GT.
The rest of the season could turn ugly, though, if the Tigers cannot secure an away game win somewhere.
Of the 9 games remaining, the Tigers have 4 home games and 5 away games.
Of the home wins, Brad Brownell said, "We've had a good home week," Brownell said. "But we've got a lot more to do before we're significant."
8-8 will not get the Tigers in the NCAAT this year, not with the ACC in its current state of affairs. Even Duke, the ACC's brightest hope, at least on the national stage, failed a test yesterday against a middling Big East Team in St. John's.
Some of the games might look easy on the face of it, but remember, the Tigers were down 19 to NCSU. Any game can go either way at any point. If the Tigers can control those crucial moments, then they can begin to look forward a bit.
Until then, Go Tigers.
What I did not expect was the Tigers' complete thrashing of the Seminoles.
The game was never close. The defense of the Tigers kept them in the game after the early barrage of shots stopped falling toward the end of the first half. Clemson, despite not hitting a single field goal in the final 12-ish minutes of the first half, went into halftime up by 9.
FSU never got any closer.
From then on it was
Dunk after Dunk and Shot after shot
Everything went the Tigers' way. Jerai Grant finished with 14pts, 8reb, 2blk; Stitt with 12pts, 6ast, 4stl.
No one person on the team had such a dominating, game-changing performance. Grant was solid, as wer Stitt, Young, and Booker.
What made the difference in this game, I think, and has been making the difference this season is the team's ability to play as a team. This is, of course, predicated on Brownell's style of coaching, playing, and play-calling.
Of the game, Brownell had this to say, "I think we showed maturity and growth as a team being able to weather a couple of offensive lulls of our own to stick to it for forty minutes of outstanding defense."
And while the ACC as a whole might be in a down year, this is a prime year for the Tigers to continue to build and improve. They have been doing so incrementally. Right now, the Tigers are in a logjam at 4-3 in the ACC. They can finish no worse than 4-4 in the first half of the ACC, with an away game at UVA coming up on Wednesday, followed by an an away game at GT.
The rest of the season could turn ugly, though, if the Tigers cannot secure an away game win somewhere.
Of the 9 games remaining, the Tigers have 4 home games and 5 away games.
Of the home wins, Brad Brownell said, "We've had a good home week," Brownell said. "But we've got a lot more to do before we're significant."
8-8 will not get the Tigers in the NCAAT this year, not with the ACC in its current state of affairs. Even Duke, the ACC's brightest hope, at least on the national stage, failed a test yesterday against a middling Big East Team in St. John's.
Some of the games might look easy on the face of it, but remember, the Tigers were down 19 to NCSU. Any game can go either way at any point. If the Tigers can control those crucial moments, then they can begin to look forward a bit.
Until then, Go Tigers.
Friday, January 28
Narcisse work
Narcisse images and videos from the following:
The News and Observer
Orange and White
Clemson Tigers.com
Wednesday, January 26
Clemson Tigers move to 3-3 in ACC play with big comeback win
Last night looked like a career/season resuscitation for Sidney Lowe and NCSU heading into the end of the 1st half.
By the end of the night, it might have been the exact opposite. Lowe's coaching seat is definitely on fire and the wolfpack is going nowhere fast.
That having been said, the comeback win for the Tigers might have been a confidence and season-saving win. The Tigers came out flat, falling behind by 19. But by the end, they were able to pronounce last night's win as the biggest home ACC comeback in Clemson history. This was a win the Tigers needed. They came up just short in College Park, but were able to clamp down and interrupt NCSU's flow and control of the game. If they can adjust to the early game miscues, then they might be able to win more frequently.
All of Clemson's losses have been heart-wrenching, or at least difficult. We have the-come-from-behind-only-to-fall-short-against-MD, the-cut-the-lead-to-two-with-two-minutes-left-and-lose-by-ten-to-UNC, and the-ahead-for-most-of-the-game-only-to-lose-the-game-in-the-end-against-FSU. Hopefully, this come-from-behind-win will give the Tigers that necessary spark of confidence they need. Maybe it was just the short time turnaround?
Sidney Lowe explained Clemson's comeback this way:
So, my man Mr. Sidney Lowe does not leave room for any blame for the NCSU loss. In fact, he says he saw a body-block and the Clemson did what they had to do.
Missing in this explanation is what NC State and inherently Lowe didn't do. The Raleigh media knows the inevitable is about to happen to Lowe, "Hope for a big basketball season probably is all but gone at N.C. State after Tuesday's collapse at Clemson." Maybe Lowe will react like Roy Williams when his coaching is questioned-
One thing Lowe did, that was not as curious as his pulling of a player at the end of a game a few weeks ago, but nonetheless, nearly as absurd, was support the Tigers with his Orange an Purple Tie.
By the end of the night, it might have been the exact opposite. Lowe's coaching seat is definitely on fire and the wolfpack is going nowhere fast.
That having been said, the comeback win for the Tigers might have been a confidence and season-saving win. The Tigers came out flat, falling behind by 19. But by the end, they were able to pronounce last night's win as the biggest home ACC comeback in Clemson history. This was a win the Tigers needed. They came up just short in College Park, but were able to clamp down and interrupt NCSU's flow and control of the game. If they can adjust to the early game miscues, then they might be able to win more frequently.
All of Clemson's losses have been heart-wrenching, or at least difficult. We have the-come-from-behind-only-to-fall-short-against-MD, the-cut-the-lead-to-two-with-two-minutes-left-and-lose-by-ten-to-UNC, and the-ahead-for-most-of-the-game-only-to-lose-the-game-in-the-end-against-FSU. Hopefully, this come-from-behind-win will give the Tigers that necessary spark of confidence they need. Maybe it was just the short time turnaround?
Brownell is pumped.
Sidney Lowe explained Clemson's comeback this way:
“They don’t have a clear cut superstar, but they know how to play hard. This isn’t a young team; they have plenty of guys that have been here before. They know what type of effort they needed to give to get back in the ballgame. It showed a lot of character and a lot of toughness. They did whatever they had to do to win the game. I saw one guy body-block Scott Wood. They did what they had to do to get back in the game. When you’re down like that, you do whatever you have to do, and they did it.”
So, my man Mr. Sidney Lowe does not leave room for any blame for the NCSU loss. In fact, he says he saw a body-block and the Clemson did what they had to do.
Missing in this explanation is what NC State and inherently Lowe didn't do. The Raleigh media knows the inevitable is about to happen to Lowe, "Hope for a big basketball season probably is all but gone at N.C. State after Tuesday's collapse at Clemson." Maybe Lowe will react like Roy Williams when his coaching is questioned-
One thing Lowe did, that was not as curious as his pulling of a player at the end of a game a few weeks ago, but nonetheless, nearly as absurd, was support the Tigers with his Orange an Purple Tie.
Sidney Lowe, Clemson fan. (N&O)
Here is the look of the rest of the NC State coaching staff:
I don't know who the second row guy is, but he is loosening his tie.
Everyone else is watching their jobs disappear. (N&O)
You can watch highlights and see pictures of the game here, from the official Clemson site.
This was a big win. It was bigger than the 10 points suggests. It was bigger than the opponent. It will hopefully be a big win for the team in terms of confidence, especially with FSU coming to town on Saturday.
The FSU game will be a barometer for how much confidence the team actually has and if they can keep the strong play coming. If the Tigers can win at home against FSU and UVA, they will be 5-3 going into the 2nd half of the ACC schedule- a big improvement from the early learning the curve this year's team faced at the beginning of the season.
Last night's win was a big, goggle-sized win.
Now it is time to move forward.
Go Tigers!
Friday, January 21
Tigers go streaking through Chapel Hill
I guess I thought if I ignored it long enough, it would go away.
0-55. That is unfathomable, except it is real.
Here is a breakdown from a UNC perspective
Read all about some of the things that have happened over the history of Clemson's abysmal Chapel Hill performances over at Block-C. Here are some highlights: 7 popes, 48 states, 15 presidents, the births of Paul Newman, Sammy Davis Jr, and Queen Elizabeth II.
The essence of the game is this: the basketball gods hate Clemson. I don't know the root of this; I need to find out. The pain is real and it is not just in Chapel Hill:
1. Sweet 16 2OT loss to a Minnesota team of which most of their players were ineligible; the next year, a 5-12 upset to W. Michigan.
2. TO's elbows the head of Michigan player, gets ejected, Clemson loses.
3. Start the season 17-0, do not make NCAA tournament.
4. After 17-0, make the NIT finals lose to WV- Tigers have never won a national tournament, lost in NIT final twice.
This is just recent history. The team, no matter the players or coaches, has something, including themselves, standing in the way of peak performances when they mean the most.
But for now, it is off to Maryland. This will not be an easy task. Maryland fans are notoriously, well Maryland fans, they make games difficult, regardless of how good their team is. So, there is that. And then there is Gary Williams.
On the Clemson side, Tanner Smith is out with a sprained knee, a much better outcome than what it looked like at the time. A relatively quick turnaround after the long break could help the Tigers, but they are still playing with a thin lineup. Brownell has been getting decent play out of some of the bench players and the seniors- until the UNC game. If Stitt and Grant return to form and we get decent guard play from Stanton, Anderson, and continued strong play from Jennings, the Tigers should have a chance in this game.
It will be a close game. Hopefully the players don't let Maryland fans intimidate them; their hostility is their intimidation, rather than the sheer magnitude of the game and history when playing at UNC, or Duke.
Again, this is a winnable game for the Tigers. It might also be a turning point- down a man, coming off a humiliating loss- how the team responds will demonstrate their character and resilience. Let's hope they answer the call. My early season prediction was an L, as this is an away game. If the Tigers can take/steal a win, it would skew my season predictions- on the W side, which is fine by me.
Go Tigers!
0-55. That is unfathomable, except it is real.
Here is a breakdown from a UNC perspective
Read all about some of the things that have happened over the history of Clemson's abysmal Chapel Hill performances over at Block-C. Here are some highlights: 7 popes, 48 states, 15 presidents, the births of Paul Newman, Sammy Davis Jr, and Queen Elizabeth II.
The essence of the game is this: the basketball gods hate Clemson. I don't know the root of this; I need to find out. The pain is real and it is not just in Chapel Hill:
1. Sweet 16 2OT loss to a Minnesota team of which most of their players were ineligible; the next year, a 5-12 upset to W. Michigan.
2. TO's elbows the head of Michigan player, gets ejected, Clemson loses.
3. Start the season 17-0, do not make NCAA tournament.
4. After 17-0, make the NIT finals lose to WV- Tigers have never won a national tournament, lost in NIT final twice.
This is just recent history. The team, no matter the players or coaches, has something, including themselves, standing in the way of peak performances when they mean the most.
But for now, it is off to Maryland. This will not be an easy task. Maryland fans are notoriously, well Maryland fans, they make games difficult, regardless of how good their team is. So, there is that. And then there is Gary Williams.
On the Clemson side, Tanner Smith is out with a sprained knee, a much better outcome than what it looked like at the time. A relatively quick turnaround after the long break could help the Tigers, but they are still playing with a thin lineup. Brownell has been getting decent play out of some of the bench players and the seniors- until the UNC game. If Stitt and Grant return to form and we get decent guard play from Stanton, Anderson, and continued strong play from Jennings, the Tigers should have a chance in this game.
It will be a close game. Hopefully the players don't let Maryland fans intimidate them; their hostility is their intimidation, rather than the sheer magnitude of the game and history when playing at UNC, or Duke.
Again, this is a winnable game for the Tigers. It might also be a turning point- down a man, coming off a humiliating loss- how the team responds will demonstrate their character and resilience. Let's hope they answer the call. My early season prediction was an L, as this is an away game. If the Tigers can take/steal a win, it would skew my season predictions- on the W side, which is fine by me.
Go Tigers!
Tuesday, January 18
Some pre- Clemson-UNC statistics
Here are some statistics concerning the development of this year's team.
From Early- to middle- to current.
From Early- to middle- to current.
Notice the improvement in 3 of 4 categories. The single category with a dip in the numbers is rebounds per game. Some of this dip can be explained, as it is a function of shooting more accurately. The more shots go in, the less rebounds come off. But still, this is a bit unnerving. Especially when this information is compared to UNC's:
The Tarheels average nearly 8.5 more rebounds per game than the Tigers. And while some of their high average can be attributed to their low field goal percentage, not all of it. UNC is using rebounds to control the ball. Clemson is not being aggressive enough on the defensive boards.
You can simulate the game here to see what the outcome might be.
Read all sorts of statistics and hypothetical statistics at
Until tonight,
Go Tigers.
Monday, January 17
Clemson looks to break "the streak" tomorrow night.
The Tigers are coming off a big win against GT- that was last Wednesday.
The Tarheels are coming off a big loss to GT- that was yesterday.
While the Tigers, this year's incarnation, or any ever, have never won in Chapel Hill (0-54), they are playing on a hot streak of their own. Since Duke's loss, Clemson now has the longest active winning streak in the ACC at eight games
But, that was last week. Literally, lastTuesday Wednesday since the Tigers took GT to task in Littlejohn. Last night, GT did the same to UNC.
So, what does this mean? Probably nothing.
Based upon potential, reputation, and those types of things, UNC is the better of these two teams. Based upon actually playing as a team, Clemson wins- twice and maybe more. And this is the heart of how and why Clemson currently has an eight game winning streak going into Chapel Hill.
Yes, Grant is playing well.
Yes, Stitt is playing well.
Yes, Young is playing well.
But, the rest of the team is playing as a team. Whether or not this is the result of Brownell's motion offense system, or just allowing the team to play a little, I don't know.
However, the players seem to have found their places on the court.
And this is the most heartening, and exciting thing about this season thus far.
UNC and Ol' Roy will be looking to answer critics tomorrow, and for the rest of the season, and well, forever. In retrospect, I think most people outside of Chapel Hill believe that the apotheosis of Harrison Barnes as a preseason All-American as a freshman was unfounded. In Chapel Hill, they are waiting for him to turn the corner, just like last year's entire team.
I have no idea what is going on in with the UNC team in Chapel Hill. They have more talent than most any team anywhere- even with the loss many of the pieces from last year. They have skilled players and position players. What they don't have, it seems is the necessary chemistry or character. Some say it is the coaching staff's fault not recruiting the proper positions, but they aren't new at this. That is a tired argument.
And it is difficult to say the game has passed Roy by, as he won a national championship just two years ago.
So, there it is. An incomplete analysis of the current situation at UNC.
How will this affect the outcome of the game? Well, probably not very much.
As much as I want Clemson to win, it is going to be difficult.
If the Tigers couldn't win when UNC was 8-20. Yes, they had Shyatt- who later won two National Championships at Florida, but even still.
Or that they didn't win in 2005, falling 68-66.
I don't even feel like going further down the list.
I predicted an L earlier, but I am optimistically, pessimistic about this game. So, it will probably be a heartbreakingly close loss.
But, I'll still hope for a win.
Go Tigers.
The Tarheels are coming off a big loss to GT- that was yesterday.
While the Tigers, this year's incarnation, or any ever, have never won in Chapel Hill (0-54), they are playing on a hot streak of their own. Since Duke's loss, Clemson now has the longest active winning streak in the ACC at eight games
But, that was last week. Literally, last
So, what does this mean? Probably nothing.
Based upon potential, reputation, and those types of things, UNC is the better of these two teams. Based upon actually playing as a team, Clemson wins- twice and maybe more. And this is the heart of how and why Clemson currently has an eight game winning streak going into Chapel Hill.
Yes, Grant is playing well.
Yes, Stitt is playing well.
Yes, Young is playing well.
But, the rest of the team is playing as a team. Whether or not this is the result of Brownell's motion offense system, or just allowing the team to play a little, I don't know.
However, the players seem to have found their places on the court.
And this is the most heartening, and exciting thing about this season thus far.
UNC and Ol' Roy will be looking to answer critics tomorrow, and for the rest of the season, and well, forever. In retrospect, I think most people outside of Chapel Hill believe that the apotheosis of Harrison Barnes as a preseason All-American as a freshman was unfounded. In Chapel Hill, they are waiting for him to turn the corner, just like last year's entire team.
I have no idea what is going on in with the UNC team in Chapel Hill. They have more talent than most any team anywhere- even with the loss many of the pieces from last year. They have skilled players and position players. What they don't have, it seems is the necessary chemistry or character. Some say it is the coaching staff's fault not recruiting the proper positions, but they aren't new at this. That is a tired argument.
And it is difficult to say the game has passed Roy by, as he won a national championship just two years ago.
So, there it is. An incomplete analysis of the current situation at UNC.
How will this affect the outcome of the game? Well, probably not very much.
As much as I want Clemson to win, it is going to be difficult.
If the Tigers couldn't win when UNC was 8-20. Yes, they had Shyatt- who later won two National Championships at Florida, but even still.
Or that they didn't win in 2005, falling 68-66.
I don't even feel like going further down the list.
I predicted an L earlier, but I am optimistically, pessimistic about this game. So, it will probably be a heartbreakingly close loss.
But, I'll still hope for a win.
Go Tigers.
Tuesday, January 4
Clemson ACC player ratings and ACC predictions
Right now, the team is a work in-progress with a few decent wins, no bad losses, and a long ACC season ahead of them. At 11-4, the Tigers have a decent record, not too gaudy, not to disparaging. Clemson probably should have beaten SC and with a little more discipline could have beaten Old Dominion. The Michigan loss was ugly from the beginning and the FSU was a huge disappointment, as the Tigers lead for much of the game.
And while the Dabo Swinney’s respective firings of Billy Napier and Andre Powell were expected moves following the conclusion of the seemingly never ending football season, one unexpected move off was his approval of Deandre “Nuke” Hopkins joining the basketball team. Hopkins will be looking to fill the void left by the departure of guards Noel Johnson and Donte Hill.
Here is how I rate/grade the players at this point moving into the ACC season, 11-4, 0-1. See original ratings here.
G: 5
Under 6 feet
Andre Young- B +
Shooting the ball well for the most part and looking to drive to the basket more.
31.8 min, 10.7 ppg
Corey Stanton- C
Not playing as well as he was earlier in the season, maybe the excitement has waned.
14.1min, 2.9 ppg
Zavier Anderson- B -
Has statistically tripled his ppg and has held up well in a both starting and bench roles.
10.8 min, 1.8 ppg
Over 6 feet
Demontez Stitt- B +
Playing well despite missing time with an injury, playing senior level basketball.
30.3 min, 13.3 ppg
Tanner Smith- C
Still underachieving as a junior, tough, but inconsistent
31.8 min, 8.6 ppg
Deandre Hopkins- ?
Gifted athlete, hopefully the spark the Tigers need for the ACC season.
?
F: 3
Bryan Narcisse- C
Still plays with energy, but you never know which Narcisse will show up at gametime.
9.9 min, 2.7 ppg
Milton Jennings- C -
Improved, but looks uncomfortable on offense and isn’t playing consistently, or with intensity.
21.2 min, 8.9 ppg
Jonah Baize- INC
Still on the team.
4.5 min , 0.0ppg
F/C: 2
Devin Booker- D -
Shows potential, still looks lost and isn’t playing with the necessary toughness.
22.6 min, 8.0 ppg
Jerai Grant- B+
Looks comfortable, plays with fire and is making a baskets at a high percentage, 63.9%
24.9 mins, 12.1 ppg
C: 1
Catalin Baicu- F
I guess this isn’t the year.
4.8 min, 1.5 ppg
While many players have stepped up their games: Grant, Anderson, Stitt, and Young, several are still middling: Smith, Jennings, Stanton, Narcisse, and some have actually devolved or failed to improve: Booker, Bobo, and Baize (The curse of the B’s?).
Nonetheless, the Tigers will need to continue to improve both individually and as a team if they expect to finish above .500 in the ACC.
So here is what I think will happen throughout the course of this season. Some of these games are optimistic wins. However, I tried to be realistic about the Tigers chances this season. I think the team will improve throughout the course of the season as they continue to grow and learn Brownell’s motion offense.
My Hopeful Evaluation:
@ FSU L This happened.
Miami W Hopeful. Of Miami’s four losses, three have been to ranked teams.
GT W GT has looked downright awful at times; luckily, Hewitt is buyout protected
@UNC L I wish this were the year, but...
@MD L If this were a home game, I think the Tigers would win.
NCSU W Hopeful. This could be a season defining game.
FSU W The first game showed the Tigers can play tough as well.
@UVA W Hopeful; UVA can be dangerous, but has lost some consistency.
Halfway 5-3 Again this is hopeful, but a winning first half could do wonders for the
And while the Dabo Swinney’s respective firings of Billy Napier and Andre Powell were expected moves following the conclusion of the seemingly never ending football season, one unexpected move off was his approval of Deandre “Nuke” Hopkins joining the basketball team. Hopkins will be looking to fill the void left by the departure of guards Noel Johnson and Donte Hill.
Here is how I rate/grade the players at this point moving into the ACC season, 11-4, 0-1. See original ratings here.
G: 5
Under 6 feet
Andre Young- B +
Shooting the ball well for the most part and looking to drive to the basket more.
31.8 min, 10.7 ppg
Corey Stanton- C
Not playing as well as he was earlier in the season, maybe the excitement has waned.
14.1min, 2.9 ppg
Zavier Anderson- B -
Has statistically tripled his ppg and has held up well in a both starting and bench roles.
10.8 min, 1.8 ppg
Over 6 feet
Demontez Stitt- B +
Playing well despite missing time with an injury, playing senior level basketball.
30.3 min, 13.3 ppg
Tanner Smith- C
Still underachieving as a junior, tough, but inconsistent
31.8 min, 8.6 ppg
Deandre Hopkins- ?
Gifted athlete, hopefully the spark the Tigers need for the ACC season.
?
F: 3
Bryan Narcisse- C
Still plays with energy, but you never know which Narcisse will show up at gametime.
9.9 min, 2.7 ppg
Milton Jennings- C -
Improved, but looks uncomfortable on offense and isn’t playing consistently, or with intensity.
21.2 min, 8.9 ppg
Jonah Baize- INC
Still on the team.
4.5 min , 0.0ppg
F/C: 2
Devin Booker- D -
Shows potential, still looks lost and isn’t playing with the necessary toughness.
22.6 min, 8.0 ppg
Jerai Grant- B+
Looks comfortable, plays with fire and is making a baskets at a high percentage, 63.9%
24.9 mins, 12.1 ppg
C: 1
Catalin Baicu- F
I guess this isn’t the year.
4.8 min, 1.5 ppg
While many players have stepped up their games: Grant, Anderson, Stitt, and Young, several are still middling: Smith, Jennings, Stanton, Narcisse, and some have actually devolved or failed to improve: Booker, Bobo, and Baize (The curse of the B’s?).
Nonetheless, the Tigers will need to continue to improve both individually and as a team if they expect to finish above .500 in the ACC.
So here is what I think will happen throughout the course of this season. Some of these games are optimistic wins. However, I tried to be realistic about the Tigers chances this season. I think the team will improve throughout the course of the season as they continue to grow and learn Brownell’s motion offense.
My Hopeful Evaluation:
@ FSU L This happened.
Miami W Hopeful. Of Miami’s four losses, three have been to ranked teams.
GT W GT has looked downright awful at times; luckily, Hewitt is buyout protected
@UNC L I wish this were the year, but...
@MD L If this were a home game, I think the Tigers would win.
NCSU W Hopeful. This could be a season defining game.
FSU W The first game showed the Tigers can play tough as well.
@UVA W Hopeful; UVA can be dangerous, but has lost some consistency.
Halfway 5-3 Again this is hopeful, but a winning first half could do wonders for the
team’s confidence.
@GT W Unless GT turns it around.
BC W BC is playing strong right now with several quality wins.
UNC L Unless the wheels fall off in Chapel Hill- again.
@NCSU L NCSU is a tough road game and the Pack will be improved
@Miami L Tigers could steal this game after UM’s ACCCT practice at UNCG.
WF W The Deacons are painful to watch.
@Duke L Cameron Indoor; even an with an extra six second for the Tigers.
VT W The Hokies always play tough; Greenberg is, well, who he is. An L would place the Tigers at 8-8.
@GT W Unless GT turns it around.
BC W BC is playing strong right now with several quality wins.
UNC L Unless the wheels fall off in Chapel Hill- again.
@NCSU L NCSU is a tough road game and the Pack will be improved
@Miami L Tigers could steal this game after UM’s ACCCT practice at UNCG.
WF W The Deacons are painful to watch.
@Duke L Cameron Indoor; even an with an extra six second for the Tigers.
VT W The Hokies always play tough; Greenberg is, well, who he is. An L would place the Tigers at 8-8.
2nd Half 4-4 A solid performance from a much tougher 2nd half of the season
Total: 9-7 I don’t know if this would be enough to get the Tigers into the NCAAT, but it, at least,
wouldn’t hurt them. The fairly weak non-conference schedule along with GT and Wake
bringing down the ACC this year might hurt the Tiger’s chances more than anything.
Go Tigers.
Monday, December 13
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
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!
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!
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