Thursday May 28, 2009

Fallout from TO's Decision

What Does TO’s Departure Mean?
I was surprised to hear the news of Terrence Oglesby leaving the Clemson. Since the news came out I have talked to a few basketball people to get a feel for their reaction. Like many Clemson fans, their reaction was mixed.

Clemson will miss:
*Oglesby’s three point shooting. He had the ability to help the Tigers get on some terrific offensive runs. His threes could cut an eight point deficit into a lead in the matter of three trips down court. His threes could take a small lead and turn it into a working margin or a blowout in a matter of minutes.

*Oglesby’s range. He was within his shooting range when he stepped off of the bus. Defenses had to pay him respect due to his phenomenal range.

*Oglesby’s ability to stretch the defense. Trevor Booker, James Mays and other Clemson post players have benefitted the last two seasons because teams could not collapse on the big men when Oglesby was on the perimeter.

*Oglesby’s passing. The point guard the last two seasons does not enter the basketball to the post very often or very well. Oglesby was one of the best at entering the ball on the low block.

*Oglesby’s court vision. Few players saw the entire floor like Oglesby. Defenses had to play attention to his ability to find an open teammate.

*Oglesby’s work ethic. Few Tigers worked as hard at their game as Oglesby. He was a gym rat that loved to work on his game at all hours of the day.

*Oglesby’s free throw shooting. Over the past two seasons no one has been more dependable from the charity stripe. He was almost auto automatic. When a technical foul or at the end of the game, there was no doubt who we wanted at the line.

Clemson will not miss:
*Oglesby’s lack of athleticism. Few times over the past season has Oglesby not been an inferior athlete compared to the opponent’s two guard.

*Oglesby’s defense. Oliver Purnell built this program on defense and this was always an issue with Oglesby. The opponent’s shooting guard has had some huge nights when guarded by Oglesby.

*Oglesby’s shot selection. Too often he took the wrong shot at the wrong time. I felt many times his bad shot selection killed momentum and hurt team chemistry.

*Oglesby’s turnovers. At times last season the offense was hurt by his high numbers in the turnover department.

*Oglesby’s sulking. Missed shots, turnovers or a bad call could often times get him in a funk. Oglesby would get down on himself too often and sometimes it was a detriment to the team.

Who Gets More Minutes?
*Tanner Smith is the obvious choice right out of the block. Smith can play two or three but he is more of a defensive oriented play that is smart enough to help with the style the staff wants to play. I could see Smith playing more at both positions.

*Donte Hill will have to adjust to the college game and that is always a factor. Reportedly he is athletic enough to handle the minutes but can he make the quick adjustment? He will have one less veteran ahead of him when camp starts.

*Andre Young might be the top outside threat now. I can see the staff playing both Demontez Stitt and Young in the game at the same time.

*Milton Jennings will see more time especially if he is ready and Smith gets minutes at the two guard. The small forward spot will have more opportunities because some of those minutes will go to normal three guards playing the two spot.

*Clemson could go really big and play David Potter at the two if they get in a jam with injuries or foul trouble.

What Will His Teammates Think?
It is no secret that last year’s team had chemistry issues. I am not sure who is to blame for it and am not placing blame on Oglesby. I do think that this kind of adversity sometimes brings a team closer. I expect team chemistry to improve following this development.

Why would Oglesby leave after only two seasons at Clemson?
This question has a couple of answers. First, Clemson’s staff was going back to the style of play they knew best. Purnell already said that only Trevor Booker’s position was safe, so Oglesby was going to have to fight for playing time. The move to a more of a full court and defensive oriented team was a contrast to what Oglesby does best. He is a half court, spot shooter who did not excel in the pressure defensive system. So he fits more into a European style than he was going to in Clemson’s style of 2009-2010.

Also, Oglesby is going to have opportunities in Europe. His mom was born in Europe and his status is attractive to some professional teams there. Word is that there will be a market for his services.

Summary
In the end I will miss Oglesby. He was terrific in the community and was especially kind to my son Ryan. Purnell’s style won games before Oglesby though and I am looking forward to the old style again as well. I think Oglesby’s pluses outweighed his negatives but it will be interesting to see how the 2009-10 team responds on both ends of the floor.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

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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, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, William Perry, Delores Weaver.