Monday March 02, 2009

Snow; FSU Review; Baseball Offense

In Like a Lion
I have seen few more beautiful things than snow in Clemson. Bowman Field never looks better. Death Valley looks like a completely different building.

Yesterday afternoon Clemson had the biggest snowflakes I have ever witnessed. I am sure a bunch of tigernetters have linked a ton a great pictures for your enjoyment. Our village is beautiful 365 days a year but I have to admit this snow was pretty impressive.

FSU Basketball Review
Saturday’s loss to Florida State hurt but it was another example of why it was so important to beat the Noles in Clemson earlier this year. It is another example of how much the loss in Charlottesville hurt.

Clemson’s season has taken a downturn in recent weeks for several reasons but the most important one in my opinion is turnovers. The Tigers have been excellent at protecting the basketball but the last few weeks we have seen careless offensive trips down court. This team is not talented enough to continue to have empty offensive possessions.

The other big difference lately has been point guard play. Stitt was 2-9 from the field Saturday. He was 1-4 from behind the arc. He also had four turnovers. This league has terrific backcourt play and in recent weeks we have seen Ty Lawson of UNC, Ty Rice of Boston College, Toney Douglass of FSU, Jeff Teague of Wake Forest and Malcolm Delaney of Virginia Tech take over a game by putting their teams on their backs. Clemson does not have that luxury.

A first round bye in the ACC tournament looks like a difficult task now. Here is how the final week of the season breaks down:

North Carolina (11-3)-The Tar Heels go to Virginia Tech and host Duke. I would be shocked if they don’t win the regular season title and enter the tournament as the league’s top seed.

Duke (10-4)-The Blue Devils have won four in a row and host Florida State and visit North Carolina this week. I think both matchups are tough for Duke this week. One win seems like it would wrap up a top four seed.

Wake Forest (9-5)-The Deacs seemed to have straightened things out and have won four of their last five. They travel to Maryland and host Clemson. I think Wake wins both and secures a bye.

Florida State (9-5)-The Noles have tough games at Duke and at home against Virginia Tech in the last week of the year. The Noles have won six of their last eight and have the tie breaker over Clemson because they beat the Tigers twice.

Clemson (8-6)-It will be hard on the Tigers to grab a bye in the first round unless they win out. Clemson hosts Virginia Tuesday and visits Wake Forest Sunday. Turnovers, defensive breakdowns and three home losses hurt the potential of this season.

Boston College (8-6)-The Eagles have a trip to NC State and host Georgia Tech this week. Clemson has the tie breaker here so BC needs to win both to jump the Tigers in the seedings.

Maryland (7-7)-The Terps got back to .500 with their win over NC State. This week they host Wake Forest and travel to Virginia. Maryland has no chance at a bye but it is fighting for its NCAA life and maybe Gary Williams’ job.

Virginia Tech (7-7)-Like Maryland, the Hokies are fighting to get into the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately they have a home game with North Carolina and go to Florida State. I can’t see Tech in the Big Dance unless they win at least one game this week and might need two wins.

Miami (6-8)-The Canes have to get to .500 in the league to have a chance at the NCAA tournament. The good news is they have a chance with a road game at Georgia Tech and finish the regular season at home against NC State. Miami was 4-8 but have has a chance to win their final four games and make an impression on the committee.

NC State (5-9)-The Pack are playing for pride and have a chance to play spoiler this week as they host Boston College and travel to Miami. State was playing well when they won three of four but have dropped its last two games.

Virginia (3-11)-The Cavs visit Clemson and finish at home against Maryland. It looks like they will be the 11th seed in Atlanta barring a miracle.

Georgia Tech (1-13)-The Jackets play Miami at home and travel to Boston College. The Derrick Favors countdown has begun. Will this be the end of the line for Paul Hewitt?

Baseball
I was out of town with Ryan at my sister’s birthday party this weekend so we had to miss the Clemson-USC baseball game. I listened to the game and talked to several people who went and came away with concerns even though the season is young.

Saturday was a chance to turn the series with South Carolina as the Gamecocks are clearly rebuilding. So this was a big missed opportunity.

The pitching has been the strength so far this season and I am encouraged by the arms on this team. However, the offense is a different story.

Clemson has scored four runs in its last five games against South Carolina. The Tigers have three or less runs in nine of the last 11 against the Gamecocks.

I know it is too early to judge offensive statistics and cold weather is a factor. Also pitching is usually ahead of the hitters at this point in the year but a .240 batting average is a concern. I would be less concerned if this was not a trend we have seen on recent years.

I understand the bats in college baseball are not as hot as they used to be but the Tigers offense seems to have been on a downward trend in recent seasons. Last year’s .285 average was the lowest in 19 years and the second lowest since 1973.

Last year’s team scored 364 runs. That was the lowest run total in 25 years.

The 578 hits were the lowest hit total in 24 years. The same can be said for the 107 doubles last year. This year the Tigers have ten extra base hits in five games.

I know this team is young and I know it is early in the season. I also doubt Kyle Parker will hit .143 the rest of the season. However, this program needs to jump start the offense.

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, 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, Kaitlyn L.