Virginia Review


by - Radio Host -

Virginia Review

Clemson had so much going against it Saturday.

*The Tigers were facing a ranked opponent who has been red hot.

*Clemson was coming off an emotional double overtime loss on the road to Notre Dame and were ending a long streak where the had played five out of six on the road.

* Landry NnokoLandry Nnoko
So. Center
#35 6-10, 245
Montverde, FL

View Full Profile
had the flu and his illness caused him to miss the game. This void helped the Cavs to out rebound Clemson 33 to 20. Virginia outscored Clemson in the paint 26-16 and had 13 second chance points compared to Clemson's six.

*The Tigers got exactly zero rebounds out of Jaron BlossomgameJaron Blossomgame
RS Fr. Forward
#5 6-7, 215
Alpharetta, GA

View Full Profile
in his 24 minutes.

* Josh SmithJosh Smith
So. Forward
#33 6-8, 260
Charlotte, NC

View Full Profile
and Sidy DjitteSidy Djitte
Fr. Center
#50 6-10, 240
Fayetteville, NC

View Full Profile
had to fill in for Nnoko but both got in foul trouble and Djitte had a bum ankle.

*The Tigers got nothing from Jordan RoperJordan Roper
So. Guard
#20 5-11, 165
Columbia, SC

View Full Profile
who played only nine minutes. Roper and Adonis FilerAdonis Filer
So. Guard
#3 6-2, 190
Chicago, IL

View Full Profile
combined to go 1-7 from the field and six points.

*Virginia shot 64% from the field in the first half and 48% for the game.

*The Cavs turned it over only nine times.

There was every reason in the world for this one to be a blowout but that never materialized. In fact the Tigers had a chance late in this one. Clemson was a possession or two away thanks to several positive factors.

First, K.J. McDanielsK.J. McDaniels
Jr. Forward
#32 6-6, 200
Birmingham, AL

View Full Profile
went into the phone booth again and turned into Superman. The junior scored 24 points, led the Tigers with four rebounds, had two assists, three blocks and two steals. McDaniels went 11-13 from the free throw line and 6-13 from the field.

The Tigers also got an unexpected contribution from freshman wing Austin AjukwaAustin Ajukwa
Fr. Guard
#1 6-5, 190
Columbia, SC

View Full Profile
who had his best game as a Tiger. Ajukwa had six points including 2-2 from three point land. The Columbia native also had two assists and a steal.

Demarcus Harrison also contributed with seven points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Two other reasons the game was close was the fact that this was a low possession game and Clemson turned the ball over only five times.

In the end it was too much of a talented Virginia squad and too little support from anyone not named K.J. McDaniels.

Virginia improved to 12-1 in the conference. They are not the most athletic team in the league but they are smart and highly skilled. They have good size inside and a nice blend for the inside/outside game. They are a complete team that looks like a dangerous out in the ACC and NCAA tournaments.

Speaking of the post-season tournaments, Clemson's road got tougher with two close losses last week. The Tigers head into the final third of the season at 6-6 in the league but four of the last six are at home and the Tigers will be favored in three or four games coming down the stretch.

Tomorrow night's game in Littlejohn against NC State is the latest "biggest game of the year." The Tigers and Wolfpack have similar records, resumes and chances in terms of seeding for the ACC tournament. Both are currently on the outside looking in in terms of the NCAA tournament but if either could get on a roll they may be able to play their way in. So the Tigers and Pack have what could be an early elimination game for the NCAA tournament chances tomorrow night.

Brad BrownellBrad Brownell
Head Coach
View Full Profile
said this morning that Nnoko did not practice yesterday but should be able to go a little today and there is a chance he could play against State. This is a key in helping so many aspects of the Tigers' plans. How effective he will be and how long he can go is a major aspect of the game plans for both teams.

We say it too often in sports, but Tuesday night is another "must win" for both of these squads.

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, 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, Randy Davenport, Patrick Destefano, David Vaughn, Keith Dalton, B.T. and our great country and the men and women in uniform that protect and serve it every day, plus their families.

Ultimate Level LogoUpgrade Your Account

Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.

Upgrade Now
Comment on this story
Print   
Send Feedback to Mickey Plyler: Email | Comment
Scanlon's walk-off homer lifts Hurricanes over No. 2 Tigers
Scanlon's walk-off homer lifts Hurricanes over No. 2 Tigers
WATCH: Clemson players react to their Sweet 16 win over Arizona
WATCH: Clemson players react to their Sweet 16 win over Arizona
Twitter reacts to Clemson's upset win over Arizona to make Elite 8
Twitter reacts to Clemson's upset win over Arizona to make Elite 8
WATCH: Clemson vs. Arizona Sweet 16 extended highlights
WATCH: Clemson vs. Arizona Sweet 16 extended highlights
Post your comments!
Subject (Replies: 0) Author
spacer Plyler's Blog: Virginia Review
TigerNet News®