Path to the Hall of Fame (v2)

[randy]

PF Adam McLean (90% - 2 days) still injured. I may need to play him, although limited minutes, because we have another injury on reserve PF Tommy Davis (82% - 4 days). My big man rotation has now become so thin at this crucial stage of the tournament.

Mar 26, 2011: (3) #15 Iowa (25-9, 14-4) vs (1) #4 Clemson (31-4, 16-2)

Scouting Report

1. Primary defense: 1-3-1 zone
2. Offense focus: Inside
3. Key players:
   
   • Fr SG Collier Strandmark (20.3 ppg, #3 class rank)
   • So C Brandon Crispin (8.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 55% FG)
   • Plus, they have 4 players who are shooting above 40% 3PT
4. Strengths:
   
   • Pressure defense: 60.2 opp ppg (#16), 17.6 opp topg (#9), 9.2 spg (#10)
5. Weaknesses:
   
   • Shooting defense: 43.8% opp FG (#141), 37.8% opp 3PT (#314)
   • FT shooting: 68.3% FT (#304) - starting PF and C below 55% FT, Strandmark 67% FT
6. How they got here:
   
   • Finished 2nd Big 10; Lost Conference Tournament Semi Finals
   • (Round 64) Def Dartmouth, 65-53 (DART: 20 tos)
   • (Round 32) Def Minnesota, 64-61 (MINN: 22 tos)
   • (Sweet 16) Def Arkansas, 73-64 (ARK: 22 tos)

Strategies

1. Minnesota and Arkansas shot 48% and 51% FG respectively against Iowa, but still lost because of the high number of turn overs they committed. If we can manage to protect the ball, chances are we can score against Iowa
2. Iowa has a complete arsenal of offensive weapons. Aside from a primary scorer (Strandmark), their bigs can also contribute plus they have a set of shooters who can light it up from 3. We will have SF Frank Dewitt assigned to guard Strandmark
3. Our 4/5 rotation is a big concern with the absence of Davis and McClean not yet 100%. It is important our other bigs stay out of foul trouble

Start of 1st half

SF Frank Dewitt has done a good job not only in guarding IOWA's SG Colin Strandmark (2 pts), but also scoring 7 pts. C Michael Jackson also with 7 pts. Up 17-9, 13:44. Strandmark picked up his 2nd foul, and has to head to the bench; both fouls were up against DeWitt. Both teams in penalty, but IOWA has shot slightly more FTs than us. Up 25-20, 7:46. Strandmark (5 pts) scored a 3 for IOWA immediately after he came back on the floor, but picked up his 3rd foul moments later on and goes back to the bench. We also have foul issues, as PG Chris Hunter with 3 and SG Brett Holmes with 4. Took a while to finish the 1st half, because of the number of fouls and FTs taken. Halftime, Up 45-40.


Key stats / Notes (Halftime)

• 2nd chance pts: IOWA 3, CLEM 9
• Total of 25 combined fouls called in the 1st half (14 on us).
• IOWA has shot 4-6 3PT. SG Colin Strandmark has scored only 5 pts on 9 mins played because of foul trouble, but his team mates have stepped up

Start of 2nd half

Helter skelter basketball in the 1st 2 mins of the 2nd half, as we committed 5 turn overs while IOWA made 3. We tried a 2 PG lineup, but it didn't stoppped our turn overs (total of 18 now). On times when we didn't throw the ball away, we shot a high percentage of our shots to somehow stay in the lead. Up 57-54, 11:11. IOWA answering every shot we make, and looks like this game will go down the wire. Up 66-63, 6:46.

IOWA gets another off rebound; they have 10 already, and I am appalled with my player's lack of effort in boxing out. IOWA scores a 3 on their 2nd opportunity; they are shooting 8-14 3PT. Tied game. Another bad pass; we now have 21 turn overs. IOWA called for traveling on the next play; IOWA with 18 turn overs. Such a crazy game this is. Tied at 66, 5:44.

C Michael Jackson got blocked; Jackson having a hardtime scoring inside, 5-12 FG. IOWA's SG Colin Strandmark shoots a 3 and scores! Only 8 pts for Strandmark but that was a huge shot. Down 66-69, 5:10.

I have no choice but to bring back PG Chris Hunter, even if he has 4 fouls, before its too late. We go to C Michael Jackson on the post. Jackson's kick out pass was too strong and went outside. Oh man. 22 turn overs already. IOWA missed. We shoot a potential game-tying 3; missed also. IOWA turns the ball over. Last media timeout. We have not scored for almost 4 minutes now. Down 66-69, 3:43.

Our season on the line in this last few minutes. SF Frank DeWitt attacks the basket. He missed the shot. C Wesely Hickman is there to grab the off rebound. Putback is off the mark, but Hickman got fouled. 2 important FTs for Hickman. Hits the 1st. Missed the 2nd. C Michael Jackson grabs the off board. We reset our play. Kick ball, we retain possession. I called a timeout. Down 67-69, 3:19.

We go to C Michael Jackson. Jackson's attempt was blocked! But C Wesely Hickman at the right place again to recover the ball, and his shot attempt is good! Hickman has rescued us with 12 pts. Tied at 69, 3:06.

IOWA goes to their star player SG Colin Strandmark. Strandmark puts up a 3 before the double team comes in. Strandmark hits another 3! Strandmark has scored IOWA's last 6 pts, both on 3 pts shots. Down 69-72, 2:48. C Michael Jackson gets the ball. He goes strong this time, and gets a foul. 2 FTs for Jackson. Gets the 1st. The 2nd one is also good. Down 71-72, 2:31.

PG Chris Hunter called for a foul. Only our 6th team foul, but that was the 5th personal of Hunter. Not looking good for us. Our backup PG Rob Swan comes in; Swan is a freshman. IOWA sets up a play again. We have to look out for Strandmark. IOWA instead goes to PF Brandon Wilson. Wilson is outside; he shoots a jumper, and its good. That is Wilson's only 2nd FG of the game. Timeout. Down 71-74, 2:11.

SF Frank DeWitt has the ball outside. He goes closer, pulls a jumper. No good. But another off rebound by C Michael Jackson. Jackson got fouled while putting up an attempt. 2 FTs. Jackson hits the 1st; and also the 2nd. Jackson with 15 pts, 9 rebs. Down 73-74, 1:54.

IOWA goes to SG Colin Strandmark. We double him quickly. Strandmark still puts up a shot. Miss but the ref says SF Frank DeWitt hit Strandmark's elbow, and called for a foul. 2 FTs for Strandmark. This is Strandmark's 1st trip to the FT line today; he is a 67% FT shooter for the season. Big FTs coming up for the freshman. He gets the 1st one to fall; the 2nd one is also good. I call another timeout. Down 73-76, 1:40.

Same play earlier. SF Frank DeWitt gets by his man, but his drive attempt is no good. C Michael Jackson is there again for the off rebound, and got hacked again. 2 FTs for Jackson. Jackson hits the 1st; and he also buried the 2nd. Down 75-76, 1:22.

IOWA gets the ball again to SG Colin Strandmark. Strandmark can't get a shot. They pass the ball around, until it goes to C Brandon Crispin. I yelled foul. Crispin is 0-4 FT today, and shoots a shade above 50% FT for the season. 1-and-1 for Crispin. I would look like an idiot if this gamble blows into our face. Crispin steps to the line. And Crispin hits the important 1st FT; and he also gets the 2nd to fall! I buried my face in my hands. I called my last timeout. IOWA smartly replaced Crispin. Down 75-78, 1:03.

IOWA called for the foul against PG Rob Swan. Now it's the freshman Swan to face the pressure test. Double bonus so 2 FTs. Swan gets the 1st; missed the 2nd. IOWA gets the def rebound. Down 76-78, 0:43.

IOWA gets the ball to SG Colin Strandmark. Strandmark shoots a long 3 from top of the key, and hits nothing but the bottom of the net. Superb clutch shooting by Strandmark. Down 76-81, 0:35.

No choice now but to put up a 3. We missed a 3. An uncontested followup by C Michael Jackson is good; IOWA rather gave up that 2 instead of a 3. Down 78-81, 0:22.

We need to foul straightaway. We foul IOWA's man of the hour SG Colin Strandmark. 1-and-1 for Strandmark. Strandmark gets the important 1st FT to go in; and the 2nd one is also good. Down 78-83, 0:16.

We have to hurry up. 3pt shooting lineup is in the floor. We put up a 3. Miss. Def rebound by IOWA. Season ended for us.


Final Score: Iowa - 83, Clemson - 78


Box Scores
[INDENT]Jackson 19, 11, 0, 3 stls, 3 blks
Hickman 12, 4, 1
Ballinger 11, 3, 1, 3 stls, 5 tos (SR)
DeWitt 11, 5, 2, 4 stls, 4 tos (SR)
Holmes 8, 0, 1
Johnson 7, 1, 0, 6 tos
Swan 5, 0, 3
Hunter 2, 1, 4 (fouled out) (SR)
Griffin 2, 0, 0
Gelbard 1, 4, 1
McLean 0, 1, 0 (SR)
Davis (Injured) (SR)

(SR) - seniors who played their last collegiate game
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 46-51%
REB: +6 (+5 off)
TO: +3 (22-19)
Pts in paint: +20
2nd chance: +11 (21-10)
Fast break: -7
[/INDENT]
Notes

• Similar to last year (against Indiana in the Elite 8), we were 20 minutes away from going to the Final 4, but we allowed IOWA to have a good 2nd half. Very tough loss. Last 3 years, I felt we had a chance to contend for a title. But this year was our best lineup that could go all the way. Credit goes to IOWA who had many players stepping up the entire game, and then their best player delivered in the end.
• We have 5 seniors departing this year. 5 new faces next season. Would take something special to duplicate our performance this year. Is my window of winning a title already closed? It's been 9 years since I last made the Final 4 (when I was still at Delaware St). Should I look for a new school with a bigger program, that wold allow me to recruit top players? Or should I stay with Clemson and develop a new set of players that could contend in a few years time? Decisions, decisions ....

[randy]

Final 4

• LSU def #13 Maryland, 73-66
• #15 Iowa def #6 Georgia Tech, 61-51

Championship

• #15 Iowa def LSU, 74-52
• Iowa wins their 3rd national title
• For the 2nd straight year, the team that has beaten us in the Elite 8 goes all the way and wins the national championship. Of course, I don't want to continue being the "lucky charm" of another team

[randy]

1st Team All-Conference

• So C Michael Jackson

I won both the National Coach of the Year and ACC Coach of the Year, with a 31-5 record (0.861)

[randy]

Legend (Conference Rank, National Rank)

Points

1. C Michael Jackson, 16.3 (#5)
2. PG Chris Hunter, 11.6
3. SG Brett Holmes, 9.8

Rebounds

1. C Michael Jackson, 9.4 (#3, #8)
2. PF Adam McLean, 5.9

Assists

1. PG Chris Hunter, 4.9 (#4, #24)
2. SG Jonathan Ballinger, 3.4

Steals

1. SG Jonathan Ballinger, 1.3 (#9)

Blocks

1. C Michael Jackson, 2.1 (#2, #5)

Turn overs

1. SG Jonathan Ballinger, 2.5 (#14)
2. PG Chris Hunter, 2.3

3PT Made

1. PG Chris Hunter, 61 (#7)
2. SG Brett Holmes, 49

[randy]

Legend (Conference Rank, National Rank), +/- from last season

Offense

• PTS, 73.9 (#2, #14), +2.7
• AST, 16.6 (#2, #12), +0.3
• FG, 46.7% (#3, #28), +3.1%
• 3P, 37.2% (#5, #84), -1.0%
• FT%, 67.7% (#12, #319), +0.8%
• TO, 12.6 (#2, #18), -0.7

Rebounding

• REB, 35.3 (#2, #14), -1.8

Defense

• Opp PTS, 58.8 (#1, #8), -0.6
• Opp FG, 37.7% (#1, #2), -0.7%
• Opp 3P, 32.4% (#3, #55), -0.5%
• Opp TO, 17.2 (#2, #18), +1.1
• STL, 8.0 (#3, #24), +1.5
• BLK, 5.2 (#1, #1), +1.0

Efficiency

• Offense, 52.5 (#2, #23)
• Defense, 41.8 (#1, #28)

[randy]

1. PG Chris Hunter
   
   • GPA: 4.0
   • 4-yr Senior
   • 120 GP (120 GS), 29.0 mpg, 10.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.9 apg, 43% FG, 85% FT, 47% 3PT, 2 double doubles
   • Post Season: 14 GP, 12.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 53% FG, 84% FT, 56% 3PT
   • Awards
     
     • Player of the Week: 2
     • Player of the Game: 21
   
   
2. SG Jonathan Ballinger
   
   • GPA: 4.0
   • So transfer (from New Jersey Tech)
   • 121 GP (94 GS), 23.9 mpg, 12.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.0 spg, 40% FG, 85% FT, 38% 3PT, 1 double double
   • Post Season: 11 GP, 7.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.3 spg, 34% FG, 34% 3PT
   • Awards
     
     • GWC Player of the Year (2007)
     • GWC Freshman of the Year (2007)
     • GWC All-Conference 1st Team (2007)
     • Player of the Week: 45 (??)
     • Player of the Game: 16
   
   
3. SF Frank DeWitt
   
   • GPA: 4.0
   • 4-yr Senior
   • 106 GP (65 GS), 13.3 mpg, 3.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 44% FG, 78% FT
   • Post Season: 14 GP, 5.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.5 spg, 50% FG, 87% FT
   
   
4. PF Tommy Davis
   
   • GPA: 4.0
   • 5-yr Senior
   • 101 GP (4 GS), 16.6 mpg, 4.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 58% FG, 46% FT
   • Post Season: 11 GP, 4.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 53% FG, 50% FT
   
   
5. PF Adam McLean
   
   • GPA: 2.9
   • Jr transfer (from Old Dominion)
   • 120 GP (57 GS), 21.3 mpg, 6.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.2 apg, 50% FG, 55% FT, 38% 3PT, 7 double doubles
   • Post Season: 6 GP, 2.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 50% FG
   • Awards
     
     • CAA All-Conference 2nd Team (2008)
     • Player of the Game: 5
   
   

[randy]

Starters

• 1: So PG Rob Swan, 6-1, 2.0/4.0
• 2: Jr(R) SG Brett Holmes, 6-1, 2.5/4.0
• 3: Fr SF Rick Beck, 6-8, 4.0/5.0 (*)
• 4: Fr PR Bill Lawrence, 6-7, 3.5/5.0 (*)
• 5: Jr C Michael Jackson, 6-9, 4.0/4.5

Bench

• 2/3: Fr(R) SF Rodney Aylsworth, 6-6, 2.0/4.0
• 4/5: Fr(R) C Delawn Smith, 6-9, 3.0/4.5
• 1/2: Fr PG Ryan Forbes, 6-3, 1.5/4.5
• 5: Fr C Ryan Burris, 7-0, 4.0/4.0
• 2/3: So SF Dennis Johnson, 6-6, 2.0/3.5
• 1/2: So(R) SG Brian Griffin, 6-0, 1.5/4.0

Walk-ons

• 3/4: Sr PF Roy Gelbard, 6-7, 3.0/3.0
• 1/2: So SG Ivoree Hackworth, 6-0, 1.0/2.0

Redshirts (ineligible to play this season)

• 1/2: Fr PG Ben Holland, 6-5, 0.5/1.0

(*) Norton candidates

[randy]

Nov 14, 2011: Clemson (0-0) @ Marquette (0-0)

A shaky 2-13 FG shooting to start the game. But that's fine as we're doing a good job defensively, and also rebounding the ball. Up 8-4, 13:26. Hard to fathom that we're the better shooting team in this game, with a 22% FG clip; MARQ is 18% FG. Up 14-10, 7:40. SG Brett Holmes (14 pts) was the only ray of hope we had in the 1st half. Halftime, Up 30-23. Both teams shot 29% FG.

C Michael Jackson was our only source of offense at the start of the 2nd half. And then Jackson went down with an injury. Hopefully not serious. MARQ able to come back after Jackson goes out. Up 36-35, 13:07. It's all going downhill for us, as keep sliding on our shooting. We can't even shoot FTs, going 10-21 FT. Down 38-45, 7:48.

C Ryan Burris suddenly comes alive, scoring our next 6 pts. Down 44-47, 5:43. Teams exchanging baskets. SF Dennis johnson, whom I played only here in the 2nd half, scored 4 consecutive pts. Down 51-52, 3:35. MARQ scored. We answered with a reverse 3pt play to tie the game! Tied at 54, 2:27. After a split FT by MARQ, Burris scores on the low post again to give us the lead! Up 56-55, 2:03.

MARQ missed. But we turned the ball over and allowed MARQ to score an easy 2 in transition. I called a timeout. Down 56-57, 1:31.

We miss. We got called for a foul. MARQ splits their FT. I call another timeout. Down 56-58, 1:08.

We miss. Another foul on us. 2 FTs made by MARQ. Timeout again. Down 56-60, 0:45.

We need to hurry up. We score immediately. Down 58-60, 0:36. No fouls yet, we'll try to go for a steal. MARQ turns teh ball over. I call my last timeout. Down 58-60, 0:23.

We go to C Ryan Burris. Burris got fouled. 2 FTs. Burris makes both! Tied at 60, 0:16. MARQ not calling a timeout. Their C has the ball outside the arc. He drives against our double. A break down on defense, and they score before time expired!


Final Score: Clemson - 60, Marquette - 62


Box Scores
[INDENT]Holmes 17, 8, 3, 2 stls
Jackson 10, 9, 2, 3 stls
Smith 9, 7, 2, 3 blks
Burris 8, 3, 0
Aylsworth 6, 5, 1
Johnson 4, 1, 0
Swan 4, 0, 6, 5 tos
Forbes 2, 0, 1
Lawrence 0, 6, 0
Beck 0, 1, 0, fouled out
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 34-42%
REB: +2 (+7 off)
TO: -2
Pts in paint: +6
2nd chance: +11 (15-4)
Fast break: -2
[/INDENT]


C Michael Jackson has a broken wrist (12% - 53 days). He'll be out for at least all the remaining non conference games, and possibly the 1st week of the ACC games. Such bad news for us.

[randy]

Nov 17, 2011: Illinois (0-1) @ Clemson (0-1)

Much better showing on the offensive end, 73% FG. Up 16-6, 13:47. ILL shooting 35% FG, but they got some pts from the FT line as we went into penalty. Up 25-16, 7:22. We got into a 12-0 run, as ILL's offense got stucked, and we blow this game away. Halftime, Up 40-22.

Halfway into the 2nd half, and we're still shooting at a high clip of 58% FG. Up 60-36, 10:12. A much better performance by Fr SF Rick Beck, who went scoreless in his previous game. SG Brett Holmes is our only consistent perimeter threat, but he was more than enough today.


Final Score: Illinois - 55, Clemson - 84


Box Scores
[INDENT]Holmes 25, 3, 8, 4 stls
Smith 17, 12, 0
Beck 15, 6, 2
Lawrence 10, 4, 1
Burris 9, 6, 3, 3 stls
Aylsworth 6, 2, 0
Swan 2, 1, 8, fouled out
Johnson 0, 1, 0
Forbes 0, 0, 2
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 57-36%
REB: +16 (+9 off)
TO: -6
Pts in paint: +42 (52-10)
2nd chance: +14 (18-4)
Fast break: +22 (26-4)
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Nov 21, 2011: (5) Virginia Tech (0-2) vs (4) Clemson (1-1)

Lots of fouls being called on us, and VT has capitalized on FT scoring. Down 14-16, 11:27. VT shot +10 FT attempts, but their 8 turn overs gave us more opportunities to score. We're shooting well again, at 53% FG. Halftime, Up 40-32.

SG Brett Holmes (19 pts) starting to get hot again, but as soon as it looks like we're ready to blow this game away, VT will be awarded to shoot more FTs. Up 54-42, 13:06. Holmes (26 pts) continues to put on a shooting display. Up 68-51, 7:00.

Aside from good defense, another significant part of our performance today was that we only committed 6 turn overs. SF Rick Beck beginning to adjust to our system, and turns in another good overall performance.


Final Score: Virginia Tech - 63, Clemson - 80


Box Scores
[INDENT]Holmes 29, 2, 2, 5-9 3PT (*)
Beck 16, 6, 4, 4 stls
Smith 10, 5, 0
Burris 8, 7, 0
Johnson 7, 2, 0
Lawrence 6, 7, 3, 2 stls, 2 blks
Aylsworth 2, 3, 0
Swan 2, 2, 2
Forbes 0, 0, 4
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 48-34%
REB: -2
TO: -10 (6-16)
Pts in paint: +18
2nd chance: -4
Fast break: +11 (21-10)
[/INDENT]