Monday February 23, 2009

Georgia Tech Review

Georgia Tech Review
When you win 22 games in a year some are obviously bigger than others and I often get too high after some wins this season. However, I thought Sunday’s win was another in the long line of excellent wins this year.

The Tigers are now 22-4 for the year, just the second time in school history Clemson has won at least 22 of its first 26 games. The only other year was 1986-87 when Clemson was 24-2 to open the season.

The Tigers need just one more ACC win to secure a winning season in the ACC. Clemson has had consecutive winning ACC seasons just once, 1965-66 (8-6) and 1966-67 (9-5).

Sure Georgia Tech is now 1-12 but road wins in this conference are like gold. Every team in this league that has been favored has lost at least one road game this season. The Tigers found out last weekend in Charlottesville just how valuable road wins in the ACC are and how hard they are to come by.

The Tigers are 4-2 on the road in the ACC and clinched at least a break even record for the year in the league. This is just the fifth season in school history where Clemson will be at least .500 on the road in the ACC. Clemson has had just two winning seasons in ACC road in the ACC. Clemson was 4-2 on the ACC road in 1976-77 and 5-2 in 1986-87.

Also Oliver Purnell has tied the school coaching record for career ACC road wins with 14. He has now tied the record also held by Bill Foster, Cliff Ellis and Bobby Roberts.

Sunday’s win looked like several from earlier in the year. Clemson got behind early again. This time it was a 15-point deficit that the Tiger had to overcome. The win looked like others where the Tigers shot the ball well, especially from behind the three point line. It also looked like others because Trevor Booker, K.C. Rivers and the bench were keys to the victory.

We have seen this team get behind but most of the time the Tigers have enough success in the half court offense combined with a pressure defense to overcome the margin. Sunday it was hot shooting. Clemson shot 51% from the field including 52% from behind the arc. The Tigers also shot 71% from the free throw line.

The Tigers shot over 50% from the field in the Maryland and Georgia Tech. This is the first time since the 1993-94 season that Clemson has shot over 50 percent from the field in consecutive ACC games.

Booker was 7-9 from the field and 7-9 from the line. His 12 rebounds to go along with the 21 points were the inside part of a terrific inside-outside presence.

Rivers was 8-12 from the field and 3-5 from behind the arc for 19 points.

The bench was once again a big factor as David Potter and Andre Young combined to go 7-8 from three-point land. They combined for 21 points and helped open up the inside for Booker. Young has made six straight three-pointers and Clemson made 12 three-pointers for the second consecutive game.

Others contributed as well. Demontez Stitt had seven assists. Tanner Smith and Jerai Grant provided toughness and defense.

One of the keys to the victory was the defense Clemson played in the second half on Gani Lawal. The freshman scored 11 first half points but was shutout in the second half.

But this game really came down to one thing—shooting. Georgia Tech scored more points in the paint (32-24), more second chance points (15-13), and more points off of turnovers (12-4). This wins came down to shooting the basketball and both teams shot it well. Tech shot 50% from the field and 55% from behind the arch. The difference was the Tigers hit 12 three pointers while Tech had six.

Now the Tigers are set for a frantic finish that long-time Clemson fans have not often experienced. The Tigers are 8-4 in the league and are in a three-way tie for second place in the league. Wednesday Clemson will host Virginia Tech in a crucial matchup. The Tigers and Hokies usually have terrific battles that often go down to the wire.

Clemson will travel to Florida State Saturday for yet another huge game as both schools are currently tied for second with Duke.

Next week Clemson hosts Virginia then goes on the road to Wake Forest to end the regular season.

Clemson needs to go 3-1 to guarantee a top four finish but could also get there in mist scenarios even if they go 2-2. Anything less and Clemson might not get a bye in the first round of the ACC tournament. So over the next two weeks the Tigers will be playing key games and watching the scoreboard from around the conference.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

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, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey.