Wednesday January 23, 2008

Cause for Concern

Cause for Concern
Last night was a wakeup call. A wakeup call with a pleasant evening but nevertheless a wakeup call.

I would say this blog is fairly positive a large majority of the time because I think it is appropriate to focus on some of the positive things happening in our athletic program. Just 24 hours ago I wrote about the half full approach I will take for the rest of the year in terms on free throw shooting.

But I also hope to be objective enough to point out concerns when they arise and I am now very concerned. No, I am not talking about free throw shooting as we covered that yesterday. Instead, I am very concerned about some issues that continue to show up with our basketball program. Two things showed up again last night and I think it is OK to address both.

Effort
I think we all have come to the realization that teams and players cannot play at the highest level every game. We talk like that is a possibility but we all realize that will not happen and probably has never happened. The New England Patriots may go 19-0 but my guess is that most players would admit they have not had the same intensity for the first 18 games this season. The 1972 Dolphins probably would admit the same thing if they were honest.

Outside of my dog, I don’t know of anyone who brings their “A game” everyday. I don’t know of anyone who works at the highest intensity each day. Obviously a few people who have built my cars in the past did not have a high intensity throughout the entire assembly process. I know the fast food workers don’t always bring 100% every time I go through the drive thru. I can only hope that my surgeon and anesthesiologist don’t have an “off day” the next time I go under the knife.

The fact is that on most occasions 100% isn’t needed most of the time in life. My cars still ran after some work. I still get my food and carbs and I am hoping my next surgery will be minor and 100% isn’t required just in case.

It’s hypocritical for fans to expect 100% effort from their teams when we as fans don’t give 100% every game. If we are honest then we will all admit that we just get more hyped for the UNC’s of the world in basketball and FSU’s in football. Last night was a glaring example of just that. Littlejohn Coliseum sounded more like the Cooper Library in the first half last night.

With that said, I thought the team’s effort was way off last night. When Charlotte played harder and faster than Clemson in its upset of the Tigers a couple of weeks ago I just blew it off to the UNC hangover.

Last night was different. Clemson last played on Saturday and Wake played Sunday. The Demon Deacons had only one day to prepare for Clemson but they physically took the game to the Tigers. Like Charlotte, Wake Forest was the more aggressive team last night. They were the road team but they looked like the more inspired team. Wake took the fight to the dog and probably should have taken home an upset.

Clemson is not the Patriots or the 72 Dolphins. This Clemson team is not talented enough to win on talent alone. This program is built upon the pressure defense and everything that comes with its blue collar mentality. This program is not to the point where it can go out and sign McDonald’s All-Americans so they have to out scrap and out work the opponent.

I was extremely surprised and disappointed to see Wake Forest play harder than the Tigers last night. I am thankful Clemson was able to steal the victory but this game and the Charlotte game have me concerned.

Points in the Paint
Wake Forest did what Maryland and others were able to do last season and what Charlotte was able to do earlier this season. The Deacs were able to destroy the Tiger defense with points in the paint. Time and time again Ish Smith was able to dribble drive and penetrate the Tiger defense as the Deacons pounded Clemson inside.

The Tigers had no answers for Smith. They tried Demontez Stitt. They tried Cliff Hammonds. They even tried Sam Perry. But no one had any answers for Smith’s quickness. But the main issues for me came from a couple of items. First, I am not sure why the Tigers tried to pick up Smith 35 and 40 feet from the basket. Also I am not sure what has happened to the Tiger’s help side defense. Clemson has been exposed on this front and now the Tigers have to adjust or get ready for another disappointing finish to the season. The rest of the ACC is good enough to make Clemson pay if the Tigers don’t have an answer for the points in the paint.

The Positive
I have mentioned several times that there would be a few games this season where the Tigers would benefit from Sam Perry’s effort and last night Clemson would not have won that contest without Perry. His defense and rebounding were a huge lift.

Also it was another incredible effort from Terrence Oglesby. His three-pointers made a big difference again especially in overtime and he continues to develop as contributor in other ways. I believe Oglesby is the best passer on the team and his entry passes to the post are a key to the offense.

The Tigers were fortunate to save their season last night but I hope the effort and defense improve for Sunday’s game in Miami.

The free throw shooting thing is still an issue but we discussed the strategy there yesterday. In my opinion it is OK to question the effort because we have seen better and should expect more in the future.

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