Wednesday January 13, 2010

North Carolina Preview; Stability

North Carolina Preview
It has happened 13 times in my lifetime, so it really isn’t that rare. It has just never happened in the place where so many of you want it to happen.

I am talking about Clemson beating North Carolina in men’s basketball. Thirteen times in my 41 years here on this earth Clemson has beaten North Carolina on the hardwood. Twelve of those wins have been at Littlejohn. One was in Greensboro. Since 1976 the Tigers are 11-20 against the Heels here in Clemson. But it is the 0-for-whatever it is now in Chapel Hill that has everyone’s attention.

I have said many times that I might be the only one that doesn’t really care about that streak. My life would not change if Clemson was 1-56 or 2-57 against North Carolina in Chapel Hill. It’s not like that would be some great accomplishment.

I am much more concerned about beating North Carolina in basketball and I could not care less where it happens. In fact, in my lifetime Clemson and North Carolina have only played a few “big” games against each other on the hardwood with the last one being for the ACC title in Charlotte in 2008.

The first “big” one I remember was Tree Rollins and his Tigers loss to UNC in the semi-finals of the ACC tournament in 1975. Clemson was ranked second in the country when it lost to the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill during the 1996-97 season.

The Tigers and UNC will play for the 142nd time tonight and Clemson has won only 19 times. The fact is that UNC is better than Clemson in basketball. They always have been and most likely always will be. They are a basketball school. They are a national basketball power. They have cared about basketball much longer than we have.

However, recently Clemson decided to fight back. This has happened in the past but not that often. Now Clemson has decided that basketball is important and the series has become a hot item.

This has turned into a rivalry. Not a big rivalry but it is a rivalry. Clemson has North Carolina’s attention. That is something new.

The last five meetings have been important. Tonight is the fourth time in the last seven meetings that both teams come into the game ranked. That has happened only 12 times before this most recent stretch.

The last five meetings have given us three overtimes and a classic battle for the ACC title. It has given us thrills but no Clemson victories.

Perhaps the biggest compliment that outsiders have given the Tigers in terms of respect actually comes from the insiders. Vegas insiders that is. Clemson is a 2.5 point favorite tonight.

Clemson always has a chance in Littlejohn but the Tigers can increase their chances tonight by forcing the Tar Heels to beat them from the perimeter. North Carolina is as talented as anyone in the front court but the Heels have issues in their backcourt. The Heels will try to pound the ball inside to it star players like Ed Davis, Deon Thompson and Tyler Zeller. (BTW-If you want to see the entire game tonight, to be safe, don’t yell “Miss it Deon!). North Carolina will also try exploiting the size advantage by dominating on the offense and defensive boards.

On the flipside, the Tar Heels are vulnerable in their backcourt. They have had some issues with their perimeter shooting this season also. North Carolina also has turned the ball over more this season without Ty Lawson running the show.

North Carolina is still very talented but not as talented as they have been. They are also inexperienced in places and have struggled on the road this season.

So the Tigers have a chance tonight. Teams that are favored usually do have a chance but Clemson needs to think like a favorite. The Tigers must expect to win tonight.

But the one key tonight in my mind is different than most games. Most of the time I think defense wins. I think rebounding is usually a key. I always pay attention to turnovers and minimizing empty possessions. Sure all of those things are important again tonight. The Tigers can’t get killed on the boards or get destroyed with points in the paint. Unlike most games though, I think this one comes down to perimeter shooting. I think the Tigers have to limit UNC’s post players and make the Tar Heels make outside shots. I also believe Clemson might have a hard time getting points inside against North Carolina’s size. So if either team shoots the ball well from the perimeter then I think they win tonight. Both have not shot it well from the perimeter at times this season but it may be a key tonight.

Stability
Clemson went through the interim coaching thing in the second half of the 2008 season after nine and a half years under Tommy Bowden. Now it appears to be another stable situation for the Tigers but that is a rarity in college football today.

We hear about coaches on the hotseat every year but how can you tell who will be where next year? Or next week? I wonder what your reaction would have been if someone told you in October that Southern Cal, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Florida and Florida State would have new head coaches in January? That is traditionally five of the top 15 programs in America.

Prospects and their families often chose a school because of the depth chart and we all know the depth chart changes all of the time because of new talent coming in each year. They also chose a school because of the scheme but that can change at the drop of a hat too. But many prospects chose a school because of a coach and that is very flawed thinking. Chances are the coach that recruited the player, the position coach of the player or the head coach will not be there all four years of the player’s career.

The only certainty in college football today is the uncertainty.

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, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), 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, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, Chalmers Carr, Drayton Melton, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Bob Pollock, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Mike Kingsmore,Perrin Seigler, Carole White Begley, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, Steve Cato, the Nicolopulos family, Cason Palmer, Candace Fallaw, Scott Jackson, "the Jacksonville, FL guys".