Thursday November 20, 2008

Wofford Game Review; Purnell; Charlottesville

Wofford Game Review
I also feel like I have to use the pre-emptive strike analyzing games like last night so here goes the disclaimer: It was only against Wofford.

Now, with that out of the way--What a performance?

Even Coach Purnell said afterwards that he would have a time coming up with any negatives. This was a near flawless performance and one that I hope to see again pretty soon.

This team is young and still has some issues but last night was more evidence that this will not be a rebuilding season. In fact, this team is better in many areas than the one that went to the ACC title game a year ago.

As I suggested yesterday, the free throw shooting will be a big improvement. Last night the Tigers were 16 of 18 or 89% from the line. That was the third straight game Clemson has shot over 70% from the stripe. The Tigers are shooting 72.4% from the free throw line this season. I knew Andre Young and Tanner Smith would provide an upgrade from the free throw line but I was surprised by Bryan Narcisse’s stroke. Obviously we had already seen Terrence Oglesby, Demontez Stitt, K.C. Rivers and David Potter shoot free throws so we knew how solid those were.

The easiest way to change a program is through personnel. As great as Cliff Hammonds, James Mays and Sam Perry were, the Tigers had addition by subtraction when it came to free throw shooting. The you add Young, Smith and Narcisse and now you go from a bad free throw shooting team to having one that can depend on the area to be a strength.

Speaking of Young and Smith, I was impressed again by both newcomers. When they walk on the court they bring swagger. Sometimes you see freshmen that are not ready to play from a confidence standpoint but that is not the case with these two. Young and Smith showcase self confidence. I saw it in their eyes last night. Now, they have not been to Cameron or the Dean Dome yet but I get the feeling they are ready for anything.

Purnell Did It Again
Last night Oliver Purnell impressed me again in a whole new way. I can remember talking to an assistant coach two years ago about something that was driving me crazy about the team. It centered around one of the team’s stars that would not hustle from one end of the court to the defensive end. It drove me batty and I wondered why Purnell never jumped the player about it.

The assistant told me that players today are different. He said you can’t fight every battle with every player. He told me that you have to be careful in how you handle certain players and how you don’t want to make an example out of every situation because you could lose the team. The assistant said the brilliance of Purnell is that he knew how to pick his battles. He knew when to speak up and when to turn the other cheek.

I was not a father until I was 36 years old. Ryan was 13 and Stefanie was 18. The mistake I made was the same that Sonny Corleone made. You can’t win every battle so you should not try to fight every battle. When you do it can become counter-productive.

Last night I saw Purnell give us another glimpse of his wisdom. His senior star made what I thought was a mistake. K.C. Rivers came down court and let a three-pointer fly. It was a shot that I thought was too early in the shot clock and the Tigers had no one underneath for any chance at an offensive rebound. Usually Rivers makes a lot of very good choices but I interpreted this as a bad one.

Purnell sent Potter into the game and removed Rivers. I thought for sure that Rivers was about to receive a word from the head coach. I even told the guy I was sitting beside to watch Purnell get onto Rivers. Instead, Rivers strolled past the head coach without a word. Purnell chose not to make a point at that time.

A less experienced coach may have taken the opportunity to point out Rivers’ error. He may have made that point at the time but who knows how Rivers might have reacted when he returned to the lineup.

I learned a little more about Purnell last night. Hopefully I may use his example to be a better father in the future.

Charlottesville
We don’t have the Bowden Bowl anymore but Saturday we have our first Sweatshirt Bowl.

Sophomore quarterback Marc Verica is a 6-3, 205-pound pocket passer who throws it about 35-40 times per game. He has completed at least 20 passes in six of the seven games he has started but mostly throws the ball underneath. Verica still does not have a 300-yard passing game to his credit. His major drawback is his 8-12 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Cedric Peerman is a powerful back that might be the key the Cavs’ offense. When he rushes for 100 yards Virginia is 3-0. When he does not the Cavs are 2-3. Virginia has only lost one game this season when he rushes for a touchdown. Peerman is also a top-notch receiver coming out of the backfield.

Defensively, Virginia is about a middle of the road team in the conference. There is nothing they do extremely well. Virginia would rather play a field position game and make an offense drive the ball on a long field.

I would think the weather might play a small factor. Forecasts call for cold conditions for the noon kick-off.

If the Tigers play well they will win Saturday. Virginia will need turnovers and Clemson mistakes in order to go 6-5. If Clemson can avoid helping the Cavs out then I like the Tigers’ chances this weekend.

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