Monday March 24, 2008
Hurt
Hurt
It seems easier to blow an 18-point lead today than ever before but it didn’t taste too good Friday night. I saw several things that led to the Tigers 75-69 loss in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Here are those factors:
*Clemson fell in love with the 3-pointer
The Tigers got hot early from behind the arch and the terrific shooting helped build the huge lead. Unfortunately, we all knew that kind of shooting cannot continue throughout the entire game. When Clemson went cold from the outside, the offense became stagnant.
*The Tigers had no inside game on the offensive end
Clemson only scored 18 points in the paint. Booker and Mays got in foul trouble and Villanova did a nice job of collapsing on the interior offense. The Tigers stopped looking inside and were forced to take lower percentage shots.
*Clemson was shutdown on the offensive glass
James Mays and Trevor Booker combined for a total of zero offensive rebounds. Some of that was effort but a lot was Villanova’s defense. Also shot selection had a lot to do with it. Clemson won a bunch of games in the last two years by pounding the offensive boards but that was not the case Friday night.
* The press was ineffective because the Tigers could not score in the second half
Clemson could not score in the second half so they could not press the Wildcats. It is impossible to press unless you make shots and the best way to beat a press is to play great half court defense and shut down the pressing team’s offense.
*The offense was offensive in the second stanza
When you shoot 12% from 3-point land it hurts. The Tigers shot just 25% from the field in the half. Clemson only made seven field goals in the period. Shot selection was bad and shooting was worse.
*Free throw shooting showed up again
A 14-23 performance was nothing new for this team. When you shoot 60% from the line it can be demoralizing.
*Officiating
It does not sound credible when it comes from me because I constantly complain about officiating but Friday night was a joke. I had several issues with the officiating Friday. First, they called a total of nine fouls in the first half (Clemson 6, Villanova 3) and 31 in the second half (Clemson 18, Villanova 13).
There were a grand total of two free throws shot in the first half and 50 shot in the second half. All players and coaches want is consistency. The first half both teams were allowed to play. It was a physical brand of basketball that suited both programs. However, the second half everything changed. All of the sudden the refs started calling touch fouls.
Booker and Mays had one foul each in the first half but both fouled out. Booker had four fouls in the second half and fouled out with 6:44 left in the game. His second foul came with 15:58 and his fifth with 6:44. In other words he was whistled four times in nine minutes and 14 seconds.
Besides the consistency, I had a problem with the timing of fouls. Clemson played terrible in the second half but did come back to tie the game at 66-66 with 1:55 to go. Then the officials called two awful fouls on the Tigers that sent Villanova to the line and the Wildcats had a 70-66 margin. In my opinion, the game was then over. Mays’ fifth foul with the game tied at 66-66 came at 1:37 on the clock but it was a joke of a call. Both players were just leaning on each other and they called an inexplicable foul on Mays.
Clemson should have won the game because blowing an 18-point lead should not happen. They played bad in the second half and should have never been put in that position but no one can convince me that officiating was not a huge part of the outcome of the game Friday. There was no consistency and the Tigers played the game without their two best big men late because of the officiating.
I hope the younger guys will benefit from the NCAA appearance because the tournament is different and experience is a factor. I know we will miss Mays, Sam Perry and Cliff Hammonds but I fully expect this team to get back into the NCAA tournament next season.
I used to say that the difference between basketball and football at Clemson is that when we lose in football it hurts for five days but when we lose in basketball it hurts for five minutes. This is different because this one really hurts. I would have loved to have written today about the Tigers and their chances in the Sweet 16.
This one will hurt for a while but this will not be a one-hit wonder. I am already looking forward to the 2008-09 basketball season and I think bigger and better are on the way. I know Clemson basketball will get better which is more than I can say about the officiating.
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I agree that the officiating Friday night was horrible. The part that bothered me most was the fact that Villanova's guards consistently used their off (non-dribbling) hand to shield Clemson defenders. This occurred whether they were dribbling down the court on a fast break or running their half court offense. By the end of the game, I was screaming at the refs to call that. It's illegal and gives the offensive player a distinct advantage!
Posted by Judge Keller on March 24, 2008 at 02:49 PM EDT #
Just crack open a Bud diesel and enjoy NASCAR season. It will ease the pain.
Posted by otisman on March 24, 2008 at 02:57 PM EDT #
Just crack open a Bud diesel and enjoy NASCAR season. It will ease the pain.
Posted by otisman on March 24, 2008 at 02:57 PM EDT #
The fact that Clemson fell in love with the 3-pointer was obvious from the start of the game. What I can't understand is that everyone on the team(including OP) knows that shooting such a high % from the outside like in the first half can only last so long. So why then does the whole team willingly toss up more and more outside shots. Does OP not mention over and over to get the ball inside. Then everyone nods and then runs out and jacks up another 3. What is the disconect that allows this to happen?
Posted by Tiger Guy on March 24, 2008 at 03:05 PM EDT #
Consistent Refereeing is an oxymoron. The Stripes completely controlled the tempo of the game in the second half. Once frustration sets in, mental blocks are established and focus is lost. We couldnt even seem to handle simple passes at that stage. The players did a nice job of fighting through that mindset and tying the game late, but all of that momentum was lost with the questionable fouls at the end.
It's a shame that such a historic season ended on such a sour note.
Posted by GoodFella on March 24, 2008 at 03:58 PM EDT #
To start with, using the "off" hand to shield yourself is not illegal. Its only illegal when you extend your arm use it to push away a defender. Big difference. To me I'm just sick of always blaming the officials. It sounds like USuC football always blaming the refs for their SEC losses, its just jealous and petty.
Posted by drock4484 on March 24, 2008 at 04:59 PM EDT #
Second of all, I dont see how we can be as good next year. We are losing 3 four year starters in Mays, Hammonds, and Perry. Their replacements, are not nearly as good as them. I could notice a serious decline in our offense once those three left the floor this year. Potter is a joke, he shouldnt be playing D-1 b-ball. I like Sykes and think his playing time early this year when Mays was out was helpful, hopefully he can be close to what Mays was. T.O. is just a horrible b-ball player. He has absolutely zero B-ball I.Q. He takes dumb shots, he turns the ball over, and he plays no defense. All he does is foul. Then once he gets his two fouls per half, OP pulls him out. He can shoot when he's hot but thats it. A half-dimension player. He will be counted on to step up his game big time and watch tons of video this off season. If he doesnt, he's not much good for us. He gives up more baskets than he scores.
So flame away at me for stating the truth.
Posted by drock4484 on March 24, 2008 at 05:00 PM EDT #
Drock...I don't see how you think Potter is horrible. If you are talking about Potter in 2006-2007, then yes I agree, but he played very well this season. He plays good defense and can shoot three's. He is great when we play a small lineup because he is tall enough to play the 4.
Losing Cliff and Mays hurts, but is Baciu can come in and start as a freshman, then Booker can move down to his more natural position at 4. Plus, we Jerai Grant and Sykes will have another year to develop. I imagine our starting lineup will be:
PG - Stitt
SG - Rivers
SF - Potter
PF - Booker
C - Baciu
If we roll out this lineup we will have four startes 6'5 and above. This would be huge rebounding wise.
Posted by clemsonguy2 on March 24, 2008 at 05:37 PM EDT #
its the tiger curse not the officiating
Posted by ORANGECRUDE on March 24, 2008 at 09:09 PM EDT #
I thought villanova did a great job of fronting the post. This took away a lot of options from the post players. It opened up the three ball in the first half but when we struggled from the perimeter in the second half, we didn't have anything to go to. Officials were inconsistent but do we really expect anything else? Also, from an effort standpoint, I don't think we played with maximum effort. There were a few loose balls and rebounds that should have been ours.
Posted by gtyoung10 on March 24, 2008 at 10:11 PM EDT #
I see Baciu more as a 4 then a 5, but will be good regardless. Its hard to comprehend with him at 7 ft+ but his game is really more of a 4 with some range who runs the court well.
Also watch for Young at PG. He could end up being more of a true PG, if that happens you could end up with Stitt at 2 and Rivers at 3 with Potter the 6th man.
Posted by truetiger1998 on March 24, 2008 at 10:35 PM EDT #
Posted by cutgrfan on March 25, 2008 at 02:25 PM EDT #
Drock - Get over yourself! Your opinion is NOT "fact"! You cannot state that "Potter is a joke, he shouldnt be playing D-1 b-ball" and claim that as a fact! He is not only playing D-1 ball -- he is playing (and contributing) for the #3 team in the ACC. BTW, the 'Nova guards WERE not just "shielding" they were pushing off with their "off" hand. THAT is illegal!
Posted by cutgrfan on March 25, 2008 at 02:31 PM EDT #
the point that OP made no adjustments may not be true- you can say pound ball inside - but if the players go out and throw up a quick 3-pointer anyhow how is that coaching? When TO makes those 3pointers he is the greatest and when he goes cold hes a loser?? Its easy to coach from this side of the TV screen, try it from the sidelines.
Posted by tonybenson62003 on March 25, 2008 at 03:35 PM EDT #