South Carolina Basketball Review

by Mickey Plyler - Radio Host - Mon Dec 03 11:18:45 GMT-04:00 2012

South Carolina BB Review

Sunday afternoon's 64-55 win over South Carolina in Columbia in basketball was not a Fugo de Chao classic. It was not Ruth's Chris either. It was not the full rack of ribs at Sardis or a grilled cheeseburger at Mac's Drive In. But it sure tasted good.

I know many of you are not basketball fans. That is apparent to me after seeing attendance at Clemson basketball games through the years. But even for those Tiger fans that don't care about basketball, Sunday had to feel a little better. For those fans it may have only been the dollar menu, but when you are hungry, sometimes the dollar menu is pretty good.

Many of us Clemson fans have sat around and watched South Carolina beat us four straight years in football. We saw the Gamecocks beat us two straight years in basketball and also have witnessed them take control of the baseball rivalry.

Those things are unacceptable and inexcusable. It does not make up for any loss to South Carolina, bit for those of us that were starving, Sunday's win tasted pretty good.

The Tigers are the better team but they were the better team last year and got beat at home. Clemson took the basketball rivalry back yesterday in a building where the Tigers are now 4-1.

Yesterday was not only exactly what the fans needed, it was exactly what this team needed. The Tigers were coming off of a disappointing loss to Purdue at home and were in the second game of a two game suspension to Milton JenningsMilton Jennings
Sr. Forward
#24 6-9, 225
Summerville, SC
View Full Profile . Brad BrownellBrad Brownell
Head Coach
View Full Profile had suspended Jennings for the third time and the Tigers were 0-4 in those games heading into Sunday. Clemson proved it could win on the road without Jennings.

Sunday was nice because Clemson jumped out to a big lead early and came from behind for a big lead late. In my mind, Clemson was the better team and at no point in the game did I think South Carolina would win.

The game was another example of why I think Brownell and his staff are the best we have had at Clemson. The best attribute Brownell and his staff possess is player development and that showed yesterday. Rod HallRod Hall
So. Guard
#4 6-1, 210
Augusta, GA
View Full Profile came to Clemson without any big offers. As a freshman he looked good on the defensive end but had nothing on offense. His ball handling has improved as has his offensive skill set. Yesterday Hall scored 15 points including 9-12 from the line with four rebounds, four assists and two steals.

K.J. McDanielsK.J. McDaniels
So. Forward
#32 6-6, 200
Birmingham, AL
View Full Profile also came to Clemson without a big time offer. As a freshman he showed leaping ability and athleticism but little on the offensive end. Sunday McDaniels scored 16 points and added seven rebounds and five blocks. He was 7-9 from the free throw line for the Tigers who shot 27 of 37 or 73% from the line.

Devin BookerDevin Booker
Sr. Forward
#31 6-8, 250
Whitmire, SC
View Full Profile added 13 points and eight rebounds while Demarcus Harrison added eight points including a huge three pointer late in the game.

Brownell will now get back Jennings as his club has the week off to prepare for ninth-ranked Arizona who visited Clemson Saturday night at 8 PM. The Tigers will then have another week off for exams before four more non-conference tilts in December.

The ACC looks top heavy once again with Duke, North Carolina and NC State among the best teams in the country. But several schools in the league have issues. Florida State has three losses including South Alabama and Mercer. Boston College has four losses including one to Bryant College. Virginia has losses to George Mason and Delaware.

Through the first seven games this season I can get excited about McDaniels, Hall, Booker and Harrison. Adonis FilerAdonis Filer
Fr. Guard
#3 6-2, 190
Chicago, IL
View Full Profile looks like he is big enough and strong enough to compete in this league. Jordan RoperJordan Roper
Fr. Guard
#20 5-11, 165
Columbia, SC
View Full Profile has a good offensive skill set and will get better with strength and conditioning. The two big men, Josh SmithJosh Smith
Fr. Forward
#33 6-8, 260
Charlotte, NC
View Full Profile and Landry NnokoLandry Nnoko
Fr. Center
#35 6-10, 245
Montverde, FL
View Full Profile are young but look to have some base to work with. Jaron BlossomgameJaron Blossomgame
Fr. Forward
#5 6-7, 205
Alpharetta, GA
View Full Profile is red-shirting but he has a good upside. Devin ColemanDevin Coleman
So. Guard
#15 6-2, 200
Philadelphia, PA
View Full Profile will also help after he red-shirts this season.

To me this season may come down to players and their dependability. So far Booker has been dependable. Jennings is a mystery. What they get from him every night is question I can't answer. T.J. SappT.J. Sapp
So. Guard
#1 6-3, 195
Fort Lauderdale, FL
View Full Profile is struggling with his shot and his confidence but this team needs more from him. Finally, I think it will be important for Bernard SullivanBernard Sullivan
So. Forward
#22 6-7, 230
Gastonia, NC
View Full Profile to improve and provide something off of the bench.

There may be more questions after the Arizona game and future ACC road games, but after Sunday, that dollar menu win tasted pretty good for us starving Tiger fans.

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