Monday March 22, 2010
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Monday March 22, 2010
Basketball Concerns Losing three straight games is never a good way to end the season but my biggest complaint over the final regular season game, the ACC tournament game and the NCAA tournament game was effort. It is difficult to watch your team get out worked and that is what I saw in each of the last three games. It is difficult to watch the other team have more of a sense of urgency and that too was what I saw in each of the final three contests. After the Wake Forest game I heard and read comments from optimists that said they understood Wake Forest playing with a more of a sense of urgency because it was senior night and the Demon Deacons were trying to get into the NCAA tournament. I even fell for that one to a certain extent. The game was a road game and Wake did have a lot to play for but it is still hard watching the opponent play harder than the Tigers. Coach Purnell, a few players and a few fans used the seeding as a reason for the lack of motivation in the NCAA tournament. I heard how State was an 11th seed and they carried a chip on their shoulder into the game. I found that one hard to swallow. To me, it was the ACC tournament and there is no excuse for getting out hustled in an event of that magnitude. Still, I wanted to believe that this team had more in the tank and this team was going to play well in Buffalo. But what we witnessed Friday was another team playing harder than the Tigers. There was nothing left to play for. This was do or die. If you lost this one then you go home. I can find no reason why we looked so sluggish. Missouri simply played harder and I find that inexcusable. Clemson basketball has a lack of history. We don’t have the best facilities. We don’t have the most support. We don’t have basketball tradition. However, none of those are excuses for not playing harder. History, facilities, support and tradition have zero to do with effort. In some losses this year you might could have blamed shooting. In others it might have been free throws. In one or two it could have been turnovers. I have no issues losing a game due to execution because that will happen in this game. Sometimes you are not going to play well and I understand that. However, shooting, free throws, turnovers and a lack of execution have very little to do with effort. There is no excuse that can be offered there. And finally I do understand that there are some talent issues on this team. Demontez Stitt has some limitations. Andre Young has some issues because of his height. Tanner Smith may struggle with more athletic opponents. David Potter has some physical limitations. The freshmen have a lack of experience. However, none of those limitations and issues has anything to do with effort. The good news is that this is not a long term issue in my opinion. For the most part effort has not been an issue during Oliver Purnell’s tenure at Clemson. His teams are known for playing hard so I cannot complain too much in this department. But that is why the last three games are even more perplexing. How did the end of the season look so different? I am not sure we will know what happened but we can turn our attention to the future now that this season is over. I must admit I am concerned about the future of the program. My main concern for the future is recruiting and I am concerned for two reasons. It concerns me on who we have signed and I am also concerned on who we have missed on. It hurt this program when 2011 point guard Shannon Scott chose Ohio State. He was the one player that really had a chance to take this program to the next level. That was perhaps the biggest loss in the program under Purnell. Clemson did sign Marcus Thornton, a 6-7 wing from Georgia, in the class of 2010 and he will have to be a contributor because of the lack of depth at the positions he can play. The losses from the class of 2010 also hurt. Jason Morris chose Georgia Tech. Travis McKie signed with Wake Forest. Stacey Poole inked with Kentucky. Clemson went after a higher level of player because the staff felt the program could go head to head with some top programs for players of this caliber but they lost some big names late. The freshman class of this past season was the highest rated in recent years but there are still concerns on two of the four signees from that class. Devin Booker and Noel Johnson enjoyed good freshmen seasons and we should be excited about their futures. However, I am not sure Donte Hill and Milton Jennings have been as good as advertised. Purnell and his staff have excelled in player development and they will need to continue to develop this class but they may have more work cut out for them than we may have first anticipated. The previous class has had ups and downs as well. Andre Young and Tanner Smith have been solid players from that class but I am not sure a lot of minutes can come from the other two members of the class, Catalin Baciu and Bryan Narcisse. In the end, I do trust Purnell and his staff and think the program is on a solid foundation for the future. However, in the pre-season the ad campaign was about not being satisfied and I know he is not satisfied after the way this season ended. The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency
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Its time for the AD to quietly tell OP its time to move on. He's done all he can do here and has already peaked and is now on the downhill side. Our best teams were those two teams that made the NIT finals and the ACC tourney finals. Last years team was worse than those and this years team is worse than last years and next years team looks to be worse than this years. OP = Tommy Bowden, there's no ifs, ands, or buts about it. We need new blood to further energize the program and get us to the next level.
Posted by DV_1981 on March 22, 2010 at 11:07 AM EDT #
The biggest example of the Effort issue was the difference between Trevor getting a dunk or missing a shot. If he got the monster dunk, he was all-world on the defensive side the next time down the floor. If not, he would many times just occupy space. I think that attitude spread throughout the team from time to time. He was a great player, but very moody, IMO. You would have to be blind to not see the difference though. And.......DV - go ahead and get rid of OP, there are dozens of top-tier coaches just waiting in line to take over our program with top 10 recruits in their back pocket. (yeah right)
Posted by rob32ram on March 22, 2010 at 11:35 AM EDT #
While I don't think it's time for OP to move on, I do wish we could play each game with effort like our hair is on fire, and I want a team that sinks it's free throws. I can't remember how many we have lost due to Free Throws, and it looks like we have a hard time staying focused and "on fire" for every game. Our players (and I see this in FB, too) seem to read headlines and think they are better than they are or that they are so good they don't need the effort to win. That's when we get our butts spanked. I think that involves character.
Posted by Dugatiger on March 22, 2010 at 11:42 AM EDT #
DV_1981 you are awful. Go away.
Posted by shirsch on March 22, 2010 at 12:37 PM EDT #
I LIKE where Clemson basketball is right now ... consistently very GOOD instead of poor, good, very good and then back to poor again.
Maybe Oliver Purnell IS the Herb Sendek of Clemson ... maybe ... but if so, let's PLEASE don't make the same mistake that the Wolfpack made thinking that the grass is greener ...
It is a fan's nature to become greedy and raise the bar once a certain level has been reached. It's also in their nature to be the first to regret the decision when things take a turn for the worse as a result.
Posted by apextiger on March 22, 2010 at 01:15 PM EDT #
Where is that foundation you have crowed about? I thought Clemsons Best Ever was stacking talent like pancakes. We have another 6-7 "Slasher"(code for CAN'T SHOOT)coming in but what about BALLHANDLERS? His last class was horrible-another crybaby, a deer in the headlights,a streaky chucker and a "slasher". How many will make it 4 years ?
Posted by CM Shack on March 22, 2010 at 01:15 PM EDT #
the one comment I would make is about what you said about thinking we could go head to head with the top programs. Rick Barnes thought so too, until 3 recuits he thought he had "in the bag" signed with UNC and Dean Smith. That was just one of the reasons he left for Texas. And, I don't know a coach in this country that we could get to come to Clemson that can change that in the short term.
Posted by tonybenson62003 on March 22, 2010 at 01:49 PM EDT #
I too am concerned about the type of talent we are recruiting. It seems as though for football & basketball we recruit great "athletes" but not so good "players." Syracuse or TCU (football) did not have all world talent but consistently stayed in the top 10. Good players with good football or basketball skills (ie, ball-handling, free throws, staying with assignments, etc.) win games with fundamentals.
Posted by El_Tigre95 on March 22, 2010 at 01:50 PM EDT #
The frustrating was that Missouri plays the exact same style of basketball as Clemson, but probably with less talented players (or maybe comparable players at best). That made it VERY apparent that Missouri wanted it more and played smarter with more effort.
It seems like Clemson's (and Missouri's) pressing, hustling, style of play can get you a few extra opportunities and wins, but it can only get you so far before you get out-talented by the top teams. Consequently, Missouri got spanked in their next game by WVU, probbaly just like Clemson would have. So although it would have been nice to win an NCAA tourney game for a change, I suspect it would have very likely been Clemson's only tourney win. Whatever.
It's hard for me to imagine Clemson being better next season. It would be interesting to see a blog on that topic.
Posted by Razzmatazz on March 22, 2010 at 01:54 PM EDT #
Give OP a break. I don't like losing and I hate to see teams that do not play hard, but you can't say that OP has us headed in the wrong direction. Having 20 wins four consecutive years, an above .500 record in the ACC three consecutive years, and making the NCAA tournament three straight years are all signs that the program is turning the corner and becoming a perennial contender. The fact that our fans are no longer satisfied with beating USC, 20 wins, a winning record in the ACC, and getting to the NCAA tournament speaks volumes as to how far OP has brought this program.
Posted by Locotiger on March 22, 2010 at 02:24 PM EDT #
Great response shirsch, no counter arguments, nothing. Just go away. I'm guessing all that blind faith you gave OP is making you mad. OP has obviously brought Clemson basketball back from the graveyard that was the Larry Shyatt era. But clearly he's not the guy to take it to the next level. If you are satisfied with "winning 20 games" then OP's your guy. He'll schedule up 11 or 12 cupcakes and get 7-9 ACC wins and make his 20 win seasons. Whoopee do. I want MORE. I want to actually win a NCAA game. OP's not going to do that here (maybe eventually, even a blind squirrel finds a nut once). OP's gotta go, he wouldnt know half court offense if it slapped him in the face. These "street" type ballers he recruits cant get it done.
Posted by DV_1981 on March 22, 2010 at 02:43 PM EDT #
First off - four good years does not mean you are a powerhouse or even a solid program. The fact that most fans are unrealistic and want exponentially better results each year is ludicrous. Yes this team has problems - but that's because we are slightly above average program.
You have to believe that OP is the man for the long haul, because what other options are out there that are a known "better" option??? The options out there are a roll of the dice, and OP is a known commodity.
You also have to believe that OP will develop Devin like he did Trevor. And while Big Booker may be a primadona, he was a much better player his Senior year vs his Freshman. Jerai took a big step between last year and this year. Hopefully that bodes well for Milton, Devin, and Marcus. Hopefully Noel improves his shooting and consistancy like Cliff Hammonds or KC did.
Posted by dadgumninja on March 22, 2010 at 02:58 PM EDT #
This team's goal was to make the NCAAs. Once that was done with the GT win they shut it down. Sad but true.
Posted by tigerdawg on March 22, 2010 at 03:39 PM EDT #
Real simple - Coaching! - I've watched Clemson BBall for over 50 years - I love all the previous comments - As the old saying goes " we've gone about as fer as we can go" with this coaching staff - Losing Shaka hurt our recruiting deeply - I admire OP & what he's done but I must say that there are a lot of good coaches out there who WOULD come to Clemson & take this program to the next level - But it takes more money, something CU's administration can't or won't deal with - That's not being an idiot - That's stating facts & reality! - Do you think it will take his 10th, 15th year for OP to get to the next level?? - It seems like everyone thinks that Clemson BBall is forever doomed to be mediocre at best, based on the average history we've had - Well, I am one that knows we CAN move forward with the right coaching staff that is out there, waiting for the call from our admin, if only they have the guts & INTELLIGENCE to proceed!
Posted by yogman on March 22, 2010 at 03:47 PM EDT #
Someone responded today saying we should learn to run a half-court offense. To that objective, I am in the AMEN Corner! When the press is not working and it seldom did vs. NCDU or Missouri, we have to have another means to score. In our last 3 games we could not do so and every one of them was real big.
One would have earned an ACC BYE; another would have beaten a smaller and less talented ACC team in tourney; and finally the injury riddled Mizzou group ganged up on T. Booker and the rest just stood around and shot jumpers. You can outrebound the oppoent by lots but if you have 20 turnovers and give up a bundle of transition layups--you weill get beat.
OP and the staff have to learn to run an alternate offense. If you can't score, you lose and we did in final 3 games of season just ended. And yes--
making an adequte number of free throws would have helped in all 3 games..
Posted by bbrown cren on March 22, 2010 at 03:50 PM EDT #
Mark and save this post.... OP will not win a Big Dance game at Clemson and he will not be our coach 3 seasons from now.
Posted by RU4GOD2 on March 22, 2010 at 04:47 PM EDT #
please!!!..do not sign any more David potter's!!!
Posted by MyBoyWilly on March 22, 2010 at 05:09 PM EDT #
You guys that want OP gone are quite simply out of your FREAKIN minds. WE have only had 7 twenty win seasons at Clemson. Guess what OP delivered 4 of them the last 4 years. Get off the man. I hope he coaches here 20 more years. At least he has people caring about basketball at Clemson for a change.
Posted by Sandwedge on March 22, 2010 at 05:36 PM EDT #
Some of you are absolute fools. We were the DOORMAT of the ACC except for a couple of years with Barnes and a few years here and there. That is not the case anymore. NOBODY wants to play us. OP is the very reason we are where we are and you people hate him for getting us where we are. I'm stunned. Yes, we have issues to work out. Yes, OP will have many sleepless nights in the coming months but there is no stinking way we will be better by getting rid of him. I'm sure he will be looking around at assistants that can help with some of the gaps. That is what the good coaches do (except K).
Give it a rest. Go ahead and complain about our effort and anything else but stop saying the coach needs to go.
Posted by Smplman on March 22, 2010 at 05:39 PM EDT #
Maybe everybody quit because OP has one foot out the door already? Maybe he's about to pull a Rick Barnes on us and bolt for a job at a basketball school? Has he been getting any phone calls?
Maybe all of you will finally get what you want... a return to the cellar of the ACC basketball standings.
Posted by triggerhappy on March 22, 2010 at 08:59 PM EDT #