Wednesday February 11, 2009

Boston College Review

Boston College Review
Last night’s 87-77 win in Chestnut Hill is another in a long line of terrific wins this season. Several thoughts come to mind following the win:

*The win was a great rebound from the collapse from the Florida State loss. It was almost a perfect script because the Tigers had to play well down the stretch in order to gain the win. Had Clemson not performed so well in the closing minutes, maybe questions would have remained. However Clemson played beautifully in the last few minutes and it was a sight for sore eyes. Clemson finished the game on a 20-10 run.

*Clemson looked like it still had issues in the first half but played one of its best second stanzas of the season last night. Perhaps the biggest difference in the second half was a much improved rebounding effort. The Tigers were beaten on the boards in the first half and gave up too many points off of offensive rebounds. In the second half the Tigers controlled the boards and thus gave up fewer easy baskets.

*We have seen Clemson’s bench being a major factor in many games this season. At some point this year I can say Clemson would not have won if it were not for the efforts of the bench. One night it might have been David Potter while the next it might have been Jerai Grant. Clemson would have beaten South Carolina if it were not for Andre Young’s effort and Tanner Smith has saved the Tigers several times in his freshman season. However last night was a different story. Clemson got only five points from the bench last night. Potter played only 14 minutes, Smith 12, Grant nine and Young five. Four of Clemson’s five starters played over 30 minutes last night. The starters accounted for 82 of the Tigers 87 points.

I don’t think Purnell lost any confidence in his bench but last night was just another example of how the Tigers can beat you in several different ways.

*I thought Trevor Booker played one of his best games last night partly because he played in the paint. He also was more aggressive in the way he finished. Sometimes we see Booker become a finesse player and shoot fade aways. That was not the case last night as Booker finished with authority. A 21 point, 13 rebound, three assist, zero turnover, one steal and two block performance was a much better effort than we saw Saturday night against FSU.

*Clemson played like it has done throughout most of the season in terms of protecting the basketball. The Tigers turned it over only ten times last night. When I think of this team I think of the press on defense but I also think of a team that does a great job of limiting turnovers offensively.

*K.C. Rivers carried the offense in the first half and his six rebounds included four on the offensive end. He also contributed a terrific all-around effort with two assists, two blocks and three steals.

*Last night was another of those nights were you knew Terrence Oglesby’s three-pointers were going in before the ball left his hands. His six three-pointers tied his career high. But I was more impressed with Oglesby’s six assists. And yes, he CAN dunk.

*Am I alone in thinking that Tuesday night could have been Raymond Sykes’ best game of the season? He was fantastic on the boards with nine rebounds including seven on the offensive end of the floor. Sykes also had four blocks. He had to play 30 minutes last night because of Grant’s foul trouble.

*I have been a little hard on Demontez Stitt but he played well last night. First Stitt was very good on the defensive end but he protected the ball better and made better decisions on offense. He played 35 minutes and had only two turnovers. I still think his shot and free throws are too flat but he did look more aggressive last night.

*Speaking of free throws, the Tigers shot 69.6% from the stripe last night. Not only was the percentage high, several of the free throws were clutch. I saw a confident group at the line last night.

*The Tigers are now 9-1 in games played away from Littlejohn this season. Perhaps Clemson’s best effort away from home before this season came during the 1986-87 season when the Tigers went 10-4 including 8-2 on the road and 2-2 in neutral site games.

*Clemson is now 3-1 on the road in the ACC with wins at Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College. The Tigers have four remaining road conference games including trips to Virginia, Georgia Tech, Florida State and Wake Forest. Clemson has had only two winning records on the road in the 55 years of playing in the ACC. In 1976-77 the Tigers went 4-2 on the road and went 5-2 in 1986-87.

*Clemson now has a few days off before playing at Virginia Sunday at 1:00 pm. The Tigers should be heavy favorites despite playing on the road. Virginia has lost eight in a row and nine of their last ten games. Usually winning on the road is difficult but the Cavs are young and a loss in Charlottesville would be a shock.

*The loser of the Duke-UNC game tonight will have three losses so Clemson will be tied for second in the loss column of the ACC after tonight.

*I will admit that it is too early but here is a February 11th ACC prediction:
T1. Wake Forest 12-4
T1. UNC 12-4
3. Clemson 11-5
T4. Duke 10-6
T4.Virginia Tech 10-6
T4. FSU 10-6

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Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Mrs. Kathleen Bowers, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Kaitlyn L, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Sandy Wright, Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, Ronnie Queen, Edward Putman, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Anna Rawl.