Clemson was defeated tonight (as I predicted, unfortunately) by Michigan, 62-59. As has been the story for much of the latter portion of the season, the halfcourt offense revolved around shooting bad shots and missing easy ones. Defensively, Manny Harris frequently had too much room to operate and his teammates' timely outside shooting helped Michigan narrowly escape with a victory. The low point of the game came when Terrence Oglesby, now a rising junior, was ejected after throwing an elbow - and connecting - on a Wolverine defender.
Head coach Oliver Purnell has yet to win a NCAA tournament game. He is 0-2 with Clemson and 0-5 overall in such games. Even though the 2009 tournament is in it's first day, it's now time to look forward to next season for Tiger fans. Which leaves us to ask the question:
What are the prospects for the Tigers next season? (Player class rankings - sophomore, junior, etc. - reflect what they will be next season.)
Coming off back-to-back NCAA tournament berths and three straight 20+ win season, this is a variable 'golden age' for Clemson basketball. Despite his postseason shortcomings, Purnell has unquestionably improved the program considerably in his 6 seasons at the helm. However, next year's team will not feature departing senior K.C. Rivers, who has been a catalyst for much of Purnell's progress. Besides undersized center Trevor Booker (15.3 ppg, 9.7 rpg in '08-'09), next year's team has no real proven commodities. The aforementioned Oglesby is a perennial variable. When he is playing well, he is a truly lethal shooter with a penchant for big shots. However, at his worst he is little more than a defensive liability with an itchy trigger finger.
Point guard is another position of concern entering the offseason. Junior Demontez Stitt is capable of playing well and has had success when he is aggressive. He also has bouts where he is a turnover machine that dribbles into trouble, and he is not a reliable offensive weapon. Sophomore Andre Young is diminutive but displays good range and was a prolific scorer during his prep career. He may have the brightest future at the position. Many Clemson fans hope he can become a Terrell McIntyre-type player, who was the pint-sized point guard who quarterbacked the Tigers during the program's last successful stint in the late 90s.
Booker, a senior, should be the focal point of next season's team. At only 6'7" he lead the ACC in rebounding in 2008-09 and became one of the best inside players in the league. He will most likely be joined down low by junior Jarai Grant, who may prove to be an upgrade over graduating senior Raymond Sykes. To Sykes's credit, he was a high energy player that did alot of the dirty work that does not show up in the stat sheet. Senior David Potter should see increased playing time and potentially start at small forward. He has the ability to hit the long range shot, but it is not his forte. He, like Sykes, is more of a hustle player that is at his best when he is limiting mistakes and taking care of the intangibles. Sophomore Tanner Smith will also log more minutes as a swingman. He is a hustler who is not an overwhelming athlete bit does have some fair offensive skills. He may become more of a weapon as he develops in the offseason.
The real unknown for next season will be the impact of highly-touted freshman Milton Jennings, the program's first McDonald's All-American since 1991. Jennings is 6'9" and should see immediate playing time. His impact could provide a viable scoring threat in the post alongside Booker, which could transform the offense dramatically. However he will be a true freshman and with the exception of Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, Carmello Anthony and, to a lesser extent, Tyreke Evans this season, most true freshmen take time to adjust. Another freshman to keep an eye on is Devon Booker, Trevor's younger brother, who will add depth to the frontcourt.
Purnell may not be the most popular man in Clemson tonight on the heels of his team's second consecutive first round exit from the NCAA Tournament, but he has excelled beyond the expectations of most optimistic Tiger fans. The 2009-10 season should be another good one for the Tigers. Wake Forest will most likely be gutted by the NBA Draft and North Carolina will lose Danny Green and Tyler Hansbrough, who are both seniors. They are also almost certain to lose guards Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington to the NBA as well.
The Tigers must find a reliable scorer from the backcourt before next season. Rivers was commonly the man who could create his own shot but no one on next year's team has shown that ability. Oglesby is the most likely candidate to fill that void, but he has been a long range marksman more than anything else thus far in his career. His catch-and-shoot style does not translate well to scoring off the dribble. Andre Young may be the best suited to this role, but that is certainly a concern. Also, Purnell will have to review his press defense. It became apparent that as the season wore on, opponents became less rattled by this strategy and actually turned it into mismatches and quick baskets.
My premature prediction for next year? Another 20-win season is a possibility and, barring injury to Booker or his unexpected (and unwise) decision to test his mettle in the NBA, very likely. Many of this past year's underclassmen - especially Stitt and Oglesby - will be expected to take more ownership in the team as upperclassmen, and that may pay dividends. A serious run at the ACC championship is probably out of their reach, but not an impossibility. Much of that probably depends on how much talent Wake Forest will return. No matter what year it is Tobacco Road holds the key to success in the ACC. With wins over Duke in their last two meetings the Tigers have the confidence to take on the Blue Devils. The Tar Heels are another story.
Right now, I would guess the Tigers will win aother 21-24 games and receive another invite to the "Big Dance". Success there relies on who their future opponent is but also how that team finishes the season. Purnell's teams have stumbled across the finish line and that has to change for any real success in March 2010.
Head coach Oliver Purnell has yet to win a NCAA tournament game. He is 0-2 with Clemson and 0-5 overall in such games. Even though the 2009 tournament is in it's first day, it's now time to look forward to next season for Tiger fans. Which leaves us to ask the question:
What are the prospects for the Tigers next season? (Player class rankings - sophomore, junior, etc. - reflect what they will be next season.)
Coming off back-to-back NCAA tournament berths and three straight 20+ win season, this is a variable 'golden age' for Clemson basketball. Despite his postseason shortcomings, Purnell has unquestionably improved the program considerably in his 6 seasons at the helm. However, next year's team will not feature departing senior K.C. Rivers, who has been a catalyst for much of Purnell's progress. Besides undersized center Trevor Booker (15.3 ppg, 9.7 rpg in '08-'09), next year's team has no real proven commodities. The aforementioned Oglesby is a perennial variable. When he is playing well, he is a truly lethal shooter with a penchant for big shots. However, at his worst he is little more than a defensive liability with an itchy trigger finger.
Point guard is another position of concern entering the offseason. Junior Demontez Stitt is capable of playing well and has had success when he is aggressive. He also has bouts where he is a turnover machine that dribbles into trouble, and he is not a reliable offensive weapon. Sophomore Andre Young is diminutive but displays good range and was a prolific scorer during his prep career. He may have the brightest future at the position. Many Clemson fans hope he can become a Terrell McIntyre-type player, who was the pint-sized point guard who quarterbacked the Tigers during the program's last successful stint in the late 90s.
Booker, a senior, should be the focal point of next season's team. At only 6'7" he lead the ACC in rebounding in 2008-09 and became one of the best inside players in the league. He will most likely be joined down low by junior Jarai Grant, who may prove to be an upgrade over graduating senior Raymond Sykes. To Sykes's credit, he was a high energy player that did alot of the dirty work that does not show up in the stat sheet. Senior David Potter should see increased playing time and potentially start at small forward. He has the ability to hit the long range shot, but it is not his forte. He, like Sykes, is more of a hustle player that is at his best when he is limiting mistakes and taking care of the intangibles. Sophomore Tanner Smith will also log more minutes as a swingman. He is a hustler who is not an overwhelming athlete bit does have some fair offensive skills. He may become more of a weapon as he develops in the offseason.
The real unknown for next season will be the impact of highly-touted freshman Milton Jennings, the program's first McDonald's All-American since 1991. Jennings is 6'9" and should see immediate playing time. His impact could provide a viable scoring threat in the post alongside Booker, which could transform the offense dramatically. However he will be a true freshman and with the exception of Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley, Carmello Anthony and, to a lesser extent, Tyreke Evans this season, most true freshmen take time to adjust. Another freshman to keep an eye on is Devon Booker, Trevor's younger brother, who will add depth to the frontcourt.
Purnell may not be the most popular man in Clemson tonight on the heels of his team's second consecutive first round exit from the NCAA Tournament, but he has excelled beyond the expectations of most optimistic Tiger fans. The 2009-10 season should be another good one for the Tigers. Wake Forest will most likely be gutted by the NBA Draft and North Carolina will lose Danny Green and Tyler Hansbrough, who are both seniors. They are also almost certain to lose guards Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington to the NBA as well.
The Tigers must find a reliable scorer from the backcourt before next season. Rivers was commonly the man who could create his own shot but no one on next year's team has shown that ability. Oglesby is the most likely candidate to fill that void, but he has been a long range marksman more than anything else thus far in his career. His catch-and-shoot style does not translate well to scoring off the dribble. Andre Young may be the best suited to this role, but that is certainly a concern. Also, Purnell will have to review his press defense. It became apparent that as the season wore on, opponents became less rattled by this strategy and actually turned it into mismatches and quick baskets.
My premature prediction for next year? Another 20-win season is a possibility and, barring injury to Booker or his unexpected (and unwise) decision to test his mettle in the NBA, very likely. Many of this past year's underclassmen - especially Stitt and Oglesby - will be expected to take more ownership in the team as upperclassmen, and that may pay dividends. A serious run at the ACC championship is probably out of their reach, but not an impossibility. Much of that probably depends on how much talent Wake Forest will return. No matter what year it is Tobacco Road holds the key to success in the ACC. With wins over Duke in their last two meetings the Tigers have the confidence to take on the Blue Devils. The Tar Heels are another story.
Right now, I would guess the Tigers will win aother 21-24 games and receive another invite to the "Big Dance". Success there relies on who their future opponent is but also how that team finishes the season. Purnell's teams have stumbled across the finish line and that has to change for any real success in March 2010.
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