Construction Cones
I never mind construction cones on the roads because they make me want to tell myself that things are getting better.
I look at the basketball team at Clemson and will try to remind myself that this season is about construction cones. It may be difficult at times, because I am sure there will be some disappointing and frustrating times. However, I like enough about the program and can see a direction that gives me some hope for the future.
Last season I did not have that feeling. The two seniors drove me crazy and I didn't like the personality of that team. But after three games, I like this team.
Sunday night Clemson beat the arch rival by 14 points. It was a game that the Tigers were in control of for most of the game and a big part of that was....wait for it...free throw shooting.
How many times has free throw shooting been the Achilles’ heel for Clemson basketball? Sunday night the Tigers made 24 of 26 from the charity stripe and broke the school record (.923) for the highest percentage in a game that featured at least 25 attempts.
What was also encouraging about Sunday was the effort. The Tigers simply played harder than the Gamecocks. South Carolina head coach Frank Martin admitted that after the loss. In my opinion this was one thing missing from last season. How many times did you feel like both seniors left everything on the floor? Clemson fans can take losing to good teams in basketball, but they have little tolerance for a lack of effort.
This team is likeable from an athletic standpoint, as well. Sunday night Clemson had 12 blocked shots, including seven from KJ McDaniels. This team features better athletes also, including
Jaron Blossomgame
Jaron Blossomgame
RS Fr. Forward
#5 6-7, 215
Alpharetta, GA
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,
Jordan Roper
Jordan Roper
So. Guard
#20 5-11, 165
Columbia, SC
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,
Ibrahim Djambo
Ibrahim Djambo
Jr. Forward
#42 6-10, 215
Poplar Bluff, MO
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,
Adonis Filer
Adonis Filer
So. Guard
#3 6-2, 190
Chicago, IL
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and
Damarcus Harrison
Damarcus Harrison
Jr. Guard
#21 6-4, 200
Greenwood, SC
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.
Youth is not an excuse anymore in college athletics because everyone is young. On Sunday Clemson played zero seniors, four juniors, four sophomores and three freshmen. In the old days if you played without a senior you would be considered young. Sunday Clemson was the most experienced team, as South Carolina played one senior, one junior, four sophomores and six freshmen.
I also like this program right now.
Patrick Rooks
Patrick Rooks
Fr. Guard
#4 6-2, 185
Charlotte, NC
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is injured and will miss the season, but by some accounts he is a sharp shooting wing man. Brownell and his staff really like the two fall signees in Donte Grantham and Gabe DeVoe. The point is that the staff feels like an upgrade is also coming next season.
I don't want to come across as the sunshine pumper who feels like the entire program is fixed. There are still issues with this team. I can see this team struggling in half court sets and facing a zone defense could be an issue on some nights. And upward mobility in this league is terribly difficult. However, there are more encouraging signs for this season and beyond. I can now see Brownell's vision for the program.
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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, 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, 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, Dale Childs, Larry Lentz, Jr., Carl Sharperson, Scott Hannon, William Perry, Tyler Swaney, Lillian, Mark Feit, David Frame, Chad Berry, the family of Matthew M. Watson, the Dowis family, Shervin Messer, Alan Putnam, the Olivers, Lee Tate, Ronnie Abrams, Eddie Greene, the Jackson family, Bill Vader, Jim Taylor, Tina DeWitt, Rock Horne, Christopher Tuten, Bobby Wayne Thomas, Emma and Danielle Carothers, Robert Ditty, Mr. and Mrs. Murray Smith, Dot Cartee, Ayden Mills, Millie Heatley, Lynn Martin and family, Michael Pinson, Jake David family, Angie Crowley, Ira, 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, Meredith Legg, Scott Johns, Frank Carroll, Brandon Thompson, Alvin Sammons, Georgine McAlhaney, Glen Davis, Mike Price, Clay Childers, Aaron Knight, Danielle Johnston and family, Nicholas Abrams, Lana Kuykendall, Gary, Gary G., William Huggins, Jim Bennett, Chantz Fowler, Ethel McElveen, Michele Gurganus, William Gentry, Lewis Usher and Tanya Sanders, Shon Cooper, Nick Collins, Amanda Peake, Danny Hammond, Chip Turner, Nick Collins, Allen Steen, the Sturkey family, the Lance family, Nick Chrisley's family, Allison Williams, Lt. Kyle Walker, Summer and Joel Johnson, Nicole O'Donnell, James O. Johnson, Joy Pruett and family, Bill Schmidt, Jack Bailey, Gardner Family, Charles Turner, Kathy Bartholomew, Ray Sanders, David and Robin Blocker, J.R. Ray, Kenneth Kowe, Lauren Sielicki, Doug Bailey and family, Jenna Phipps, Mark Lawrence, Harlan Sullins, Peter Laboy, Kat and Carlisle Jones, Elizabeth Galloway and family, Anita McDonald, Willard Harryman, Liz Surratt, Molly Senn, Jackie Shearer, Richard Sellers, Tim Drisdelle, Edward Easterling, Dawson Bourne, Susan and Mike Brown, Julie Goodman Marshall, Willard and Dorothy Harryman, Justin Jernigan, Jack Cunningham, Mia Daughtery, Tee Senn, Jim Lanier, Bob Garrett, Skylar, Joseph Thomas, Mrs. Nelis, Jeanne Thompson, Sean Rowell, George Parker, Levon Kirkland and family, Catherine Sewell, and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.
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