Monday December 08, 2008

Top 25? Here's 25 Hoops Thoughts

Top 25? Here’s 25 Hoops Thoughts
Today the Tigers might break into the top 25 for the first time this season when the new poll comes out. It will mark third straight year Clemson has been in the polls. Since the Tigers are on the verge of the Top 25, here are 25 thoughts on Sunday’s win and the season so far:

* K.C. Rivers was a warrior in Sunday’s win. He tied his career high with 32 points including several key baskets. Rivers had 11 rebounds including perhaps the biggest on the game when he scored a huge basket in the final minute.

*Liberty played very well. The Flames played the best of any team Clemson has played this season. Their system is sound and their players executed extremely well.

*How did almost every school in the country miss on both Curry brothers? Watching Seth Curry is exactly like watching his older brother. Both are unbelievable shooters with quick releases. But both are more than just shooters. The brothers play extremely hard and are very intelligent players.

*I thought Clemson made two tactical mistakes Sunday. First the defense over extended. This created too many dribble drive opportunities and the Flames were able to penetrate too easy.

*The second of my second guessing came with the press. The Tigers’ press was ineffective against this five guard offense and lead to too many easy baskets.

*Rebounding was an issue Sunday. Clemson had a big size advantage against Liberty but only out rebounded the Flames by just one. Too many times Clemson gave up too many offensive rebounds.

*The Tigers played well coming down the stretch again and that made the difference in the win. Much like the Illinois game, Clemson out played the opponent in the final minutes of a close game. Coach Purnell talked after the game about preaching to his team about a six-minute game. He says the work very hard on last sox minute situations.

*Tanner Smith, Andre Young and Jerai Grant were not involved much Sunday. Smith and Young played more minutes earlier in the season but have not been factors in the last two wins.

*Balance is when someone new contributes and takes over the game every night. Rivers had not taken over a game this year but his 32 points and 11 boards were the difference Sunday. Against Illinois it was Stitt. In the Temple game it was Trevor Booker that put the team on his shoulders. I continue to say this kind of balance is the sign of a good team.

*I think the Tigers will benefit later this season from Sunday. Liberty showcased a tough zone defense that gave Clemson an entirely different look.

*Clemson went to the half court zone trap for a possession in the second half and forced a turnover. I did not understand not seeing that defense a few more possessions Sunday.

*Stitt scored 18 on Tuesday but he played well in another way Sunday. It was Stitt’s 11 assists and only one turnover were keys to the victory.

*Speaking of turnovers, Clemson only had nine turnovers in Sunday’s win.

*We have seen Clemson shoot well from the free throw line at times this season but we have also seen below average nights there also. Sunday the Tigers shot 8-10 from the free throw line.

*Rivers and Booker combined for 50 of Clemson’s 80 points.

*Mental toughness comes from coaches often but Sunday we saw it originate from the players. Rivers showed leadership as he lead the Tigers during several timeouts.

*Duke lost to Michigan on Saturday and perhaps the Tigers win over Liberty will help Clemson when the Tigers face the Blue Devils. Duke’s style is similar to Liberty. Spacing, fast break strategies and offensive sets looked very familiar Sunday.

*Sunday I saw something I know I have never seen before. Liberty started five guards. I know I have never seen this at any point of watching the sport.

*Jamie Luckie might be the worse official in the ACC. He amazes me how he just gets worse and worse with every game.

*I could not help but to wonder how many Clemson teams in the past would have lost the last two games. This squad is winning tough, close games that many Clemson teams of the past may have dropped.

*Clemson is number two in RPI. The Tigers have played the nation’s seventh rated schedule.

*Exam week is crucial to many sports but basketball is one of the few that comes in the middle of the season. I am interested to see how the Tigers respond after exams. Can the Tigers keep this momentum?

*In some years, Exam Week was a concern for Clemson basketball. However, this team does not fear this opponent. Purnell has recruited excellent student-athletes.

*The ACC is not that strong from top to bottom in this early season. Several teams have bad losses. FSU lost to Northwestern. Georgia Tech lost to Penn State. N.C. State lost to Davidson. St. Louis has losses to St. Louis and Purdue. Virginia Tech and Virginia have three losses each.

*Dabo’s halftime speech yesterday was awesome. He gets it and it showed again yesterday. Is it just me or does the “Da-bo Swin-ney, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap” chant have a great ring to it?

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