CLEMSON BASKETBALL

Women's BBall Preview: CU vs USC


by - Correspondent -

CLEMSON — The transition to an up-tempo offense seems to suit Clemson's

smallish, athletic lineup well. However coach Jim Davis has seen another,

more disturbing transition in his team through four games.

The Lady Tigers have been outrebounded by an average of 5.5 per game early

on, including deficits of 16 and 18 in losses to nationally ranked opponents

Illinois and Tennessee, respectively.

Not a very encouraging trend heading into Wednesday's battle against a taller,

more physical South Carolina team on the road.

"You can be a mediocre team and not rebound, but you can't be a good team and

not rebound," Davis said following Tuesday's practice. "Right now we're

mediocre. Our opponents are getting too many second-chance opportunities

because we aren't blocking out and aggressively going after the rebound."

Some would argue the smaller lineup and fast-paced style might allow the

opposition more rebounding opportunities.

Davis doesn't agree.

"I think the new style should help us be better rebounders. We don't have the

dominant front line, so we're playing some faster, quicker people. That

should give us a better chance at running rebounds.

"I'm very disappointed in that phase of the game."

Wednesday's game at South Carolina will match the run-and-gun Lady Tigers'

style against the more methodical, pound-it-inside philosophy of the Lady

Gamecocks.

South Carolina's best player so far this season has been University of

Tennessee transfer Theresa Jeter. The Columbia native's return to her

hometown team has been a resounding success early on. She leads the Lady

Gamecocks in scoring at 14 points per game, and is shooting 69 percent from

the field.

"She knows why they hung the peach basket," Davis said. "She's pretty good

from 12-14 feet in, and she's a very good athlete. She's the heart and soul

of that team."

Clemson is led in scoring by senior center Erin Batth (15.5 points per game)

and sophomore guard Chrissy Floyd (14.8). The Lady Tigers are shooting 40

percent from the field, 67 percent from the free throw line, and are

outshooting their opponents from the 3-point arc (36 percent to 29 percent).

And as with any Clemson-USC meeting, the intensity of the rivalry figures to

be at its peak tonight. Maybe even more so, considering this is the first

meeting of any kind between the schools since Rod Gardner's controversial

catch set up the Tigers' 16-14 win on the gridiron Nov. 18.

South Carolina fans have been screaming loud and long since that Saturday

afternoon, feeling Gardner's catch should have been waved off for offensive

interference.

So it's a safe bet feelings from that game will hang over the Gamecock-biased

crowd tonight.

"You know I hadn't thought about that," Davis laughed. "I don't know, there

may be some signs out there and things of that nature. That hadn't entered my

mind, but it very well could be."

Ultimate Level LogoUpgrade Your Account

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

Upgrade Now
Print   
Send Feedback to Dan Scott: Email | Comment
FIRST LOOK: Clemson Basketball Dancing in March Bobblehead unveiled
FIRST LOOK: Clemson Basketball Dancing in March Bobblehead unveiled
4-star lineman picks up Clemson offer on visit
4-star lineman picks up Clemson offer on visit
WATCH: Clemson coordinators talk spring progress, break down latest scrimmage
WATCH: Clemson coordinators talk spring progress, break down latest scrimmage
No. 2 Tigers take on Hurricanes
No. 2 Tigers take on Hurricanes