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The Defining Moment
This basketball season has been different than almost any recent season for the Clemson program.

In the last few years of the Oliver Purnell program the Tigers were fighting for an NCAA tournament bid and often times were fighting for a bye in the ACC tournament.

But this year's team is different. Barring a miracle run in the ACC tournament this team will not play in the Big Dance this season. Instead this team is fighting for a spot in the NIT.

But that is not the reason why this team is different. Unlike most Clemson teams of late, this team is still looking for its defining moment.

In recent campaigns the Tigers had already had a signature win or had something to differentiate itself from other years.

Maybe I am wrong. Maybe the 20-point win over Florida State will be the big moment in this season but I don't think it will be the defining moment.

Maybe the close home losses to Coastal Carolina, the College of Charleston and South Carolina will be the defining moment of the season but I am hopeful that is not the case either.

I am hopeful that this team's defining moment is still to come because I really like these guys. I love how hard they play. I like the character. I like the stories of Tanner's Totes. I know Bryan Narcisse fairly well and think he is an amazing young man who is a great person of character. His peers think very highly of Andre Young as well.

A few weeks ago after the close and demoralizing losses at Virginia and Virginia Tech, Brownell seemed very down. In an interview on my radio show Brownell said his only goal was for this team "to finish the season the right way." He wanted his strong senior class to have a great memory of how their careers ended. He wanted his juniors to set the tone for next year by ending the season strong. He wanted his freshmen to understand how important it is to continue to build the program. The season had not gone the way anyone would have hoped but he wanted his team to keep playing hard and take pride in how they ended their season. Hopefully this team will not simply fade out to superior competition in the final weeks of the season. Hopefully they will follow his advice and finish strong.

The interesting thing about this team is that we see signs of a special ending. They played well on the road recently at Wake Forest and last night against Georgia Tech. Those were inferior opponents but so was Boston College earlier in the year and that didn't work out too well.

They played well at home against a good Virginia squad and looked brilliant against Florida State at home in the ACC opener.

Hopefully those types of efforts can continue and we see those types of results instead of the one we got at home against Maryland or at Miami.

The Tigers have three regular season games remaining. This Saturday they host an NC State team that can beat anyone in the league but can also lose to any ACC school.

A week from tomorrow Clemson will host Virginia Tech on senior night as we say good bye to Tanner Smith, Andre Young, Bryan Narcisse and Bobo Baciu.

The regular season ends with the tough task of playing Florida State in Tallahassee in what could be a chance for the Seminoles to win the regular season ACC championship.

Clemson enters the final week and a half of the regular season with a 6-7 record. And now for the crazy part-Clemson is only two games out of fourth place can still finish tied for fourth in the league. The Tigers are only one game out of fifth place.

Here are the remaining schedules of the schools still with a chance to finish fourth:
Virginia 8-5 North Carolina, Florida State, @ Maryland
NC State 7-6 @ Clemson, Miami, @ Virginia Tech
Miami 7-6 Florida State, @ NC State, Boston College
Maryland 6-7 @Georgia Tech, @ North Carolina, Virginia
Clemson 6-7 NC State, Virginia Tech, @ Florida State

In a two-way tie Clemson lost its only games with Maryland and Miami and split two games with Virginia. The Tigers lost at Virginia Tech earlier but have a chance to split by winning at home against the Hokies next Thursday. Clemson will play its only game against NC State this Saturday.

It is wishful thinking and a lot of things have to happen between now and a week from Sunday but maybe this team's defining moment is still to come with a fourth place finish still within reach.

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 email me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com

*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, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Daniel Rosborough, The Huffman family, Nancy Winkler, John Reeve, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs,Perrin Seigler, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, the Nicolopulos family, "the Jacksonville, FL guys", Kim Sims, the Coyle family, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee, Kelly Trakas, Jimmy Moore, the Thomas. V Family, Emary Claire Young, Kitty Bowers,Julie Locke, the Scheider family, Lauren Kittles' family, Frank Gentry, Joyce Bussey, Stacey McKeown, Mary Priester, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr, Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Matt Hogan, Mark Feit, David Frame, Chad Berry, the family of Matthew M. Watson, Nancy Taylor, the Dowis family, Shervin Messer, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Nancy Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Christopher Tuten, Jimmy Head, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Murray Smith, Dot Cartee, Ayden Mills, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Janice Thompson, Angie Crowley, Rachel Graves, Ira, Elsie Taylor, Mike Tolson, Poly Wells, Dr. Muriel Bishop, Jack Cunningham, Emily Jefford Meister, Zachary Stoller, Aaron Clackum, Pat James, Cortney Moore, William Moore, Angelia and Savannah Anderson, William Ross.

Comments:

What I like about Brownell's Tigers are that they seem to improve as the year goes along. Purnell's teams were fun to watch but they did not seem to get better at the end of the season. I really want to see what Brownell and the staff will do with 4 years to coach, and teach the current freshmen. Go Tigers.

Posted by lhaselden on February 22, 2012 at 10:41 AM EST #

Good narrative, Mickey. I also believe that in the next 18 days, our guys will have their positive defining moment. Whether we make it to Sunday the 11th of March really doesn't matter. Our guys have played with class and energy that few teams possess or exhibit. I am very proud to be a Tiger and support them. Sandy and I intend to be in LJ for the final two home games against NCSU and VT. I really hope I get to see that "Moment" up close and in person.
Best Wishes,

Posted by 71PR on February 22, 2012 at 10:46 AM EST #

If we could get the 5 or 6 seed in the ACC, then that would give us an easy game in the first round of the tournament, and then a game with either the 3 or 4 seed in the second game, which I imagine will be either FSU or UVA. We really do have a chance to finish with a pretty good record, and after last night, I have a lot more confidence that will happen. Go Tigers!

Posted by Locotiger on February 22, 2012 at 10:48 AM EST #

Like most, I like the make-up of this team. Not in talent but in heart. Brownell is a special coach with a really solid staff.
I have seen more player development from Brownell than any sport at Clemson. Every one of the basketball players have improved in their skills, basketball IQ, defense, movement, etc. This team deserves a strong finish and I think they'll come through.
Cudos to the players and coaches. Now if we can get more than 250 students to show up for the games.......

Posted by sbrooks on February 22, 2012 at 11:09 AM EST #

People visit an establishment to experience excellent service or to partake in a great product. You'll see fans rock the John as the product on the court improves. Winning provides a great experience. Any coach knows this. It's business. Kudos to you fans who are there for every game. I love Clemson basketball and wish I could go to more than a few games a year.

Posted by Paws4Effect on February 22, 2012 at 08:04 PM EST #

Mickey,I have to say this is one of your better post.
I wish I knew what to make of this current team.Lets start with our 4 seniors.All four have had good,but not great seasons.Then there is our freshman.Can't wait to see how they progress.
But for me,the disappointment that is this Clemson team comes from the two juniors I expected to take on a bigger role.Sorry to say it,but Devon is no Trevor.Never will be.And Milton looks as lost as the first time I saw him.Sure he has had a couple of good games,but he has not lived up to the moniker of a McDonald's All American.
Finally,I can only speculate on what might have been had the two players who I thought might have contributed this year stayed.I wonder how the outcome of this season might have played out if Donte Hill and Noel Johnson had returned.Guess we will never know.

Posted by leftie on February 22, 2012 at 08:43 PM EST #

My thoughts on the Basketball team.
For one,the best players aren't always on the floor.2ndly,the team needs the best chance at offensive production.IN this league,you're not going win many games scoring 50 and 60 points.Therefore the freshman need more responsibility.For one,KJ McDaniels..theres not a better athlete on the team.Sure,his outside shooting is somewhat suspect.But sometimes you just gotta give him the ball and watch him go,let him do his thing. The great Vince Carter at UNC was the same way.He didn't have a great outside shot,but he was simply better than everyone else on the floor and could find ways to score every night.Anyways..

#21

Posted by Prime T.+Tiger on February 23, 2012 at 09:32 AM EST #

Mickey , I'm posting sunday night because I had Tix but went to my granddaughters 4th birthday party in Clemson. I didn't get to see but two plays live, but they may the defining moment. For Andre to struggle and then take the Tigers on his shoulders in OT may be one. The other might be our front line is playing larger than they are. EVen Catalin ocreates problems for the opposing team.
I like our chances next week.

Go Tigers!!!! beat the Hokies and the Noles!!!!

Posted by 71PR on February 26, 2012 at 08:37 PM EST #