Path to the Hall of Fame (v2)

[randy]

Feb 22, 2011: #4 Clemson (24-3, 14-2) @ #20 Duke (17-9, 8-8)

DUKE jumped to an early 10-2 lead. We slowly inched our way closer, by controlling boards. Down 8-10, 12:41. Both teams shooting below 30% FG. Up 13-12, 7:34. DUKE's offense slightly improved, while we continue to shoot bricks. Halftime, Down 20-24.

We'll adjust to favor inside in the 2nd half. The frustrating thing is not our 26% FG shooting, but the fact that DUKE scoring 6 of their 12 2nd half pts on easy baskets in transition. Down 25-34, 13:29. We keep on grinding, and took advantage of consecutive turn overs by DUKE which we converted to 4 pts on transition. Down 1. A miss by DUKE, and on our ensuing play, C Michael Jackson goes inside, scores, plus a foul! Jackson missed, but we now have the lead. Up 39-38, 8:14.

After a split FT by DUKE, teams exchanged just a basket each. Tied at 41, 5:46. DUKE scores. We had 2 opportunities to tie the game, but we turned it over on both possessions; we have 15 turn overs already. Another miss by DUKE. This time, we were able to score courtesy of a jumper by PG Chris Hunter. Tied at 43, 3:54.

Another miss by DUKE. We go to C Michael Jackson, and Jackson scores from the low post. Up 45-43, 3:12. DUKE attempts a 3 against a double team. It goes in! DUKE is only 3-17 3PT today prior to that shot; what a time for them to convert. Down 45-46, 2:59. We go back to C Michael Jackson, and Jackson delivers again. Up 47-46, 2:41. We get a steal. We're looking for Jackson again. Jackson gets the pass. Jackson can't get a shot so he kicks it out. But a quick pass back to Jackson surprised DUKE's defense, and Jackson able to make a move to the basket for an easy score! Up 49-46, 2:09.

DUKE also going to the post. One on one against C Michael Jackson. Jackson comes up with a block; hist 5th rejection of the game. We recover the ball. We can't get it to Jackson. SF Dennis Johnson called for traveling! That last turn over proved to be costly, as DUKE able to score this time in the low post. I called a timeout. Up 49-48, 1:28.

We adjust to heavy inside, to make sure we get the ball to C Michael Jackson. It took a while before we get the ball to Jackson, with 0:12 left in the shot clock. But DUKE playing good defense, forcing Jackson to pass. We eventually turn the ball over after a couple of passes. Very poor execution there. Timeout DUKE. Up 49-48, 0:59.

We're playing good defense. And then we got called for a foul. We're in the penalty. 1-and-1 for DUKE's PF Carvell Robinson, who is 0-2 FT today. 1st FT is good. 2nd is a miss. We get the rebound, and called a timeout. Tied at 49, 0:35.

We'll go back to a balanced offense, as our last 2 possessions resulted in disaster. PG Chris Hunter drives. Block by DUKE! But PF Adam McClean at the right place to get the ball. McLean's shot is good! Timeout DUKE. Up 51-49, 0:20.

We're doubling anyone who has the ball. Another foul called on us! I didn;t see teh contact; we're just playing good perimeter defense. But the refs just ignored me. 1-and-1 for DUKE's SG Garner Day. This is Day's 1st trip to the line today. Day hits the 1st. And also the 2nd. I called a timeout. Tied at 51, 0:10.

DUKE pressuring our ball carrier. The ball was passed to SG Jonathan Ballinger. 1 sec to shoot, Ballinger puts up a 3. Missed. We go to OT. End of Regulation, Tied at 51.

DUKE's gets 1st possession, and they immediately hit a 3pt shot. C Michael Jackson answers with an inside bucket. A miss by DUKE, but we also missed ur chance to regain the lead. We got 2 consecutive shot blocks on DUKE's next possession. On our next offensive play, Jackson missed his shot. Down 53-54, 3:15 OT.

DUKE finding it difficult to put up a shot, and they turn it over. We get another chance. SG Jonathan Ballinger, who missed a potential game winner at the end of regulation, taught about taking a shot. Ballinger passed instead to C Michael Jackson, but Jackson missed on his shot again. DUKE with the rebound. DUKE scores on their possession. I called a timeout. Those were 3 opportunities to get the lead, and we came up empty handed. Down 53-56, 2:12 OT.

C Michael Jackson missed again. Ball out of bounds, and last touch by DUKE. We get another play. DUKE playing good defense. Ball is in the hands of SF Dennis Johnson. 5 sec to shoot, Johnson puts up a shot. Missed. Loose ball scrambled, goes out of bounds. Our ball but less than 1 sec on the shot clock. We couldn't even get a shot attempt. Shot clock violation. Down 53-56, 1:37 OT.

DUKE with a drive to the basket, but they kicked out a pass. Stolen by SG Jonathan Ballinger. Ballinger with an outlet to PF Adam McLean, and McLean scores on the break. Down 55-56, 1:19 OT.

DUKE gets it to their center, who goes one on one inside against C Michael Jackson. Another rejection by Jackson! Ball goes out of bounds, and last touch DUKE. I called my last timeout. Down 55-56, 0:50 OT.

SG Jonathan Ballinger drives to the basket. Ballinger draws a double team, leaving PF Adam McLean open underneath the basket. Ballinger makes a great pass to McLean, and McLean scores! Timeout DUKE. Up 57-56, 0:42 OT.

DUKE breaks our press, and able to score an easy jam! We have no more timeouts left. Down 57-58, 0:33 OT.

C Michael Jackson makes a bad pass, and DUKE gets a steal. We have to foul. We did give u a foul. 1-and-1 for DUKE. They missed the front end, but they get the off rebound. We give up another foul. double bonus, and 2 FTs this time. They split. We finally secured the rebound. Down 57-59, 0:14 OT.

We hurry up. SG Jonathan Ballinger has the ball beyond the arc. Ballinger fakes a 3, moves closer, pulls up a jumper, and Ballinger scores! Tied at 59, 0:06 OT. DUKE not calling a timeout. We pressure them in the back court and time expired. We're going into 2nd OT! End of 1st OT, Tied at 59.

We turned the ball over on our 1st possession; 20 turn overs already. My white hair count has probably doubled in this game alone. DUKE missed their shot. On our next play, SF Dennis Johnson drives strong and scores. Up 61-59, 4:07 2OT. DUKE takes a 3 over a double team. Missed. We secure the rebound. We spread the floor, and able to isolate C Michael Jackson. Jackson has missed several shots during the 1st OT, but this time he connects! Up 63-59, 3:29 2OT.

DUKE answers back with a clutch jumper. What a game we're having here. Up 63-61, 3:06 2OT. SG Jonathan Ballinger, who hit the tying basket during the 1st OT, drives, shoots, but he missed. Rebound by DUKE. DUKE goes for a post play. The kickout pass was stolen by PF Chris Hunter. We run the break. With DUKE's front court clearly exhausted now, C Michael Jackson got ahead and scores on the break! Up 65-61, 2:26 2OT.

DUKE shoots another contested 3, and missed again. We secure the rebound. Knowing that DUKE's big men are tired, we get the ball back to C Michael Jackson, and Jackson scores on the post. A 6 pt lead seems like a luxury with the way this game is going, but this is not the time to relax. Up 67-61, 1:56 2OT. Another miss by DUKE. We get the ball back to C Michael Jackson. Jackson shoots. Missed. Off rebound by Jackson. Jackson missed again. 2nd off rebound by Jackson. Short on the shot by Jackson. 3rd off rebound by Jackson. This time, Jackson converts on his 4th attempt! What an effort by Jackson. Timeout DUKE. Up 69-61, 0:59 2OT.

Shot on the inside DUKE was missed again. I signaled that we can slow down the pace. DUKE successively giving up fouls to get themselves to penalty. We hit 2 FTs to ice the game, and heads home physically and mentally drained after this game.

We just had better conditioned players than DUKE, and it showed as the game dragged on.


Final Score: Clemson - 73, Duke - 66


Box Scores
[INDENT]Jackson 25, 14, 1, 6 blks (*)
McLean 14,14, 1, 2 stls
Ballinger 11, 4, 7, 3 stls, 5 tos
Hunter 9, 9, 7, 2 stls, 3 blks, 5 tos
Johnson 7, 2, 1
Hickman 5, 3, 1
Davis 2, 1, 0
DeWitt 0, 5, 0
Holmes 0, 3, 4
Swan 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 40-36%
REB: +21 (+6 off)
TO: +7 (21-14)
Pts in paint: +22
2nd chance: +9
Fast break: -1
[/INDENT]


ACC Conference Standings

1. #4 Clemson, 15-2 (W2)
2. #9 North Carolina St, 13-4 (L1)
3. #5 Georgia Tech, 13-4 (W7)
4. #11 Maryland, 12-5 (W2)
5. #20 Duke, 8-9 (L3)
6. Virginia, 8-9 (W1)
7. Wake Forest, 7-10 (W1)
8. Florida St, 6-11 (W1)
9. Miami (FL), 6-11 (L1)
10. North Carolina, 5-12 (L1)
11. Virginia Tech, 5-12 (L3)
12. Boston College, 4-13 (L2)

[randy]

Feb 25, 2011: Virginia Tech (9-17, 5-12) @ #4 Clemson (25-3, 15-2)

Another poor start as we committed 4 turn overs already. Down 7-9, 13:21. We get our focus back on defense, and forced several turn overs on VT. Up 18-14, 7:59. Both teams shot above 55% FG, but VT having 7 more turn overs was the main difference; we're +10 in fast break pts as a result. Halftime, Up 40-29.

The start of the 2nd half is usually the time where we lock down our opponents, and today was no different, as VT has converted only 1 FG so far. Up 53-34, 11:44.

I have all my 5 seniors playing together on the floor now - Hunter, Ballinger, DeWitt, Davis, and McClean. The all-seniors played decently enough to protect our lead. And with 2:25 remaining, and a 13-pt lead, I had all of them substituted to give our home crowd to recognize their contributions to our basketball program. Our underclassmen, led by So C Michael Jackson, finished the job.

Getting ready now for the tournament games


Final Score: Virginia Tech - 54, Clemson - 76


Box Scores
[INDENT]Jackson 19, 11, 1, 2 blks (*)
Holmes 14, 0, 1, fouled out
Johnson 13, 3, 1
Ballinger 6, 3, 3, 2 stls
DeWitt 6, 3, 2, 2 stls
Hunter 6, 1, 4, 4 stls
McLean 4, 3, 0
Hickman 4, 3, 0
Davis 4, 1, 1, 2 blks
Swan 0, 1, 3
Griffin 0, 0, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 52-45%
REB: Even
TO: -13 (8-21)
Pts in paint: +46 (54-8)
2nd chance: +10 (15-5)
Fast break: +16 (20-4)
[/INDENT]


ACC Conference Standings

1. #4 Clemson, 16-2 (W3)
2. #10 North Carolina St, 14-4 (W1)
3. #5 Georgia Tech, 14-4 (W8)
4. #12 Maryland, 13-5 (W3)
5. Virginia, 9-9 (W2)
6. #23 Duke, 8-10 (L4)
7. Wake Forest, 8-10 (W2)
8. Florida St, 6-12 (L1)
9. Miami (FL), 6-12 (L2)
10. North Carolina, 5-13 (L2)
11. Virginia Tech, 5-13 (L4)
12. Boston College, 4-14 (L3)

[randy]

Mar 10, 2011: (8) Florida St (12-16, 6-12) vs #5 Clemson (26-3, 16-2)

We played our usual stiffling defense, and forced FLST to shoot just 29% FG in the 1st half. However, we fared only a little better at 38%. Halftime, Up 33-23.

A 10-0 run in the 1st 3 mins of the 2nd half instantly doubled our lead to 20. But FLST able to counter back with a 9-0 run of their own, until we hit a 3pt shot to stop their rally. Up 46-32, 13:52. We buckled down on defense, forced a string of turn overs on FLST, went inside the paint on offense, and game is practically over. Starters get an early rest. Up 66-40, 5:12.


Final Score: Florida St - 46, Clemson - 71


Box Scores
[INDENT]Jackson 15, 7, 3, 2 stls, 2 blks (*)
Hunter 13, 4, 5, 4 tos
Holmes 10, 3, 2
Johnson 9, 1, 0
Ballinger 8, 4, 2
Hickman 4, 2, 0
DeWitt 4, 1, 3, 3 stls
Swan 4, 0, 0
McLean 2, 10, 1
Davis 2, 2, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 43-32%
REB: +4
TO: -7
Pts in paint: +24
2nd chance: -8
Fast break: +8
[/INDENT]

Bad news: C Michael Jackson suffering from back spasms (75%, 9 days), so he is practically out during the rest of the ACC tournament, and possibly Round 1 of the NCAA tournament

[randy]

Mar 11, 2011: (4) #12 Maryland (25-5, 13-5) vs (1) #5 Clemson (27-3, 16-2)

We're playing sloppy offense with 5 turn overs already. Down 6-9, 13:37. MD has effectively spread the floor on offense, minimizing our abilities to double team. Down 19-24, 6:55. Able to come back because of our pressure defense, forcing turn overs on MD. Both teams ended with 10 turn overs each, but MD is +4 in fast break pts. Halftime, Down 38-39.

We started getting tenacious on the off glass, helping us take the lead. Up 49-44, 13:10. Both teams missing a lot of shots in the last 4 mins, and turn over numbers are now 14 for each team. Up 49-46, 9:54. MD pulled to within 1, but our defense regrouped and we're able to increase back our lead to 5. MD in the penalty; if we only performed better than our current 15-25 FT shooting, well be in a better position. Up 53-48, 7:25.

After getting a steal in MD's back court, we increased our lead to 9. MD answered with a basket, but on the return play, PG Chris Hunter (18 pts) converts his 2nd triple of the game to give us a double digit lead. Up 60-50, 5:58. MD clearly feeling on the pressure of our defense now, and they committed several more turn overs. We extended the lead to 13, until MD converted on consecutive FGs to get themselves back within single digits. I called a timeout. Up 67-59, 1:48.

We miss a 3, but MD threw the ball away again on their play. MD gets a block. MD missed their shots. MD called for a foul on the other end. Double bonus now, so 2 FTs. Up 10 now, and that should do it.

Game turned out to be a defensive match in the 2nd half, and we have the advantage against MD (limited to 21 pts in the 2nd half) in this type of situations. After giving up 12 fast break pts in the 1st half, we limited MD to only 3 in the 2nd half.


Final Score: Maryland - 60, Clemson - 69


Box Scores
[INDENT]Hunter 21, 2, 4, 2 stls, 6 tos (*)
Johnson 11, 5, 1
Hickman 8, 8, 0
McLean 8, 6, 1
Holmes 8, 2, 0
Davis 6, 1, 0
Gelbard 5, 3, 2, 2 stls, 4 blks
DeWitt 2, 4, 3
Ballinger 0, 2, 0, 5 tos
Swan 0, 1, 2
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 44-45%
REB: +8 (+5 off)
TO: -4 (16-20)
Pts in paint: Even
2nd chance: +3
Fast break: -5
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Against the best rebounding team in the country, and with our top big man injured, we'll be in a severe disadvantage in this game.

Mar 12, 2011: (2) #9 North Carolina St (22-7, 14-4) vs (1) #5 Clemson (28-3, 16-2)

Our outside shots were on target early, but NCST has started to take full advantage of their height getting off rebounds and scoring on 2nd chance pts. We'll go 2-3 zone. Down 10-15, 13:49. NCST has hit enough outside shots to counter our zone, and that has put us in almost a no-win situation. We're also in the penalty. Down 21-30, 7:44. We're supposed to counter NCST's advantage by forcing turn overs on them, but the reverse has happened as we have 12 turn overs already (NCST has 5). But despite the good offensive showing of NCST, we're only down by a reasonably small margin. Halftime, Down 35-42. We'll stick with the zone, and hope NCST miss their shots in the 2nd half.

Our turn overs keep on mounting. We adjusted to a slightly faster pace; no difference as we have 16 turn overs now. Down 43-52, 13:07. SG Anthony Ballinger, who was scoreless in our last game and also had zero in the 1st half of this game, scored 5 pts in a 9-2 run. We're back in this. Down 52-54, 10:48. We had 2 missed opportunities to pull even. Down 54-58, 7:22.

We scored on transition. Down 2 again. After a miss by NCST, we attempted a 3 which would give us the lead; we missed it. Down 56-58, 5:08. NCST scores 2 FTs, and we're down 4 again. We turned it over for the 21st time in this game, and NCST scores on a 3. Timeout. Down 56-63, 4:00.

We'll go with a smaller lineup, and max out on pace; favor outside. We hit a long 2. Down 5. NCST with a 3. Down 8. We also hit a 3. Down 5. NCST hits a basket plus a foul; they miss the FT, but gets the off rebound and the put back is good, effectively getting a 4pt play. Down 9. NCST starting to slow things down, and they scored on a jumper again. Timeout. Down 61-72, 2:04.

We'll look for 3s now. Didn't worked out. Good effort by the players in making a comeback, but NCST proving to be a tough match up for us; 2 losses in 2 games this season


Final Score: North Carolina State - 78, Clemson - 66


Box Scores
[INDENT]Hunter 14, 7, 7, 2 blks, 4 tos
Holmes 14, 0, 1, 6 tos
DeWitt 10, 2, 0, 4 tos
Johnson 8, 6, 1
Ballinger 8, 1, 1
McLean 6, 10, 0
Swan 2, 3, 3
Gelbard 2, 3, 0
Davis 2, 0, 2
Hickman 0, 4, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 44-45%
REB: +8
TO: +11 (22-11)
Pts in paint: -2
2nd chance: -2
Fast break: +3
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Rank (Media/Coaches): #4/#5; RPI: #4

We're in the South (Oklahoma City) Regionals

1st round matchup:
(1) #4 Clemson vs (16) Highpoint

Teams in the South Regionals

• (1) #4 Clemson
• (2) #5 Georgia - 2 National Titles, 10 Final Fours
• (3) #15 Iowa - 2 National Titles, 6 Final Fours
• (4) #17 Bradley
• (5) #25 Oklahoma St - 3 National Titles, 7 Final Fours
• (6) Minnesota - 4 Final Fours
• (7) Arkansas - 5 Final Fours
• (8) Florida - 2 National Titles, 9 Final Fours
• (9) Texas Tech
• (10) San Diego
• (11) Appalachian St
• (12) Play-In
• (13) Southern Illinois - 4 Final Fours
• (14) Darthmouth
• (15) Oral Roberts
• (16) Highpoint

Other Ranked Teams

East

• (1) #1 Indiana
• (2) #8 North Carolina St
• (3) #13 Maryland
• (4) #10 Houston
• (5) #24 Michigan
• (6) #21 Arizona

Midwest

• (1) #3 Oklahoma
• (2) #9 St John's
• (3) #7 New Mexico
• (4) #18 Purdue
• (5) #16 Stanford
• (6) #20 Massachusetts
• (8) #22 NC Wilmington

West

• (1) #6 Georgia Tech
• (2) #11 Kansas St
• (3) #12 Xavier
• (4) #2 UNLV
• (5) #19 Tulsa

On Probation

• #14 Georgetown
• #23 Villanova

ACC teams appearing on post-season tournaments

NCAA

• East: (15) MD Eastern Shore vs (2) #8 North Carolina St
• East: (14) Loyola-Maryland vs (3) #13 Maryland
• Midwest: (9) Virginia vs (8) #22 NC Wilmington
• South: (16) Highpoint vs (1) #4 Clemson
• West: (16) Play-In vs (1) #6 Georgia Tech
• West: (10) Duke vs (7) Louisville

NIT

• Midwest: (7) Lafayette vs (2) Wake Forest

[randy]

C Michael Jackson (85% - 3 days) is suited up, but I'll unlikely to play him today

Mar 17, 2011: (16) Highpoint (17-13, 6-8) vs (1) #4 Clemson (28-4, 16-2)

Scouting Report

1. Primary defense: M2M
2. Offense focus: Balanced (slow)
3. Key players:
   
   • Sr PG Doc Beik (11.6 ppg)
4. Strengths:
   
   • Defense: 62.7 opp ppg (#51)
5. Weaknesses:
   
   • Perimeter offense: 65.5 ppg (#224), 31.7 % 3PT (#296)
   • Rebounding: 28.5 rpg (#308)
6. How they got here:
   
   • Finished 5th Big South; Won Conference Tournament

Strategies

1. Highpoint lucky to be here, after finishing 5th in a weak conference

Start of 1st half

We got into penalty in the 1st 2 mins of the game. I confronted the refs, and I got a early technical. SG Anthony Ballinger 2-2 3PT. Up 14-9, 12:50. We have forced 9 turn overs already on HIGH. Up 27-13, 6:09. This would have been a different ball game, had HIGH shot better from the line (10-18 FT) from all those fouls called on us. Halftime, up 37-18.

Key stats / Notes (Halftime)

• Fouls: HIGH 6, CLEM 15
• 3PT shooting: HIGH 0-7, CLEM 4-7

Start of 2nd half

We practically finished this game with an 11-0 run at the start of the 2nd half. Even the refs can't beat us now. Up 55-25, 13:13. HIGH's 4-6 3PT performance in the 2nd half hardly made a difference.


Final Score: Highpoint - 41, Clemson - 83


Box Scores
[INDENT]Hunter 18, 6, 2, 2 stls (*)
DeWitt 17, 2, 0, 3 stls
Ballinger 15, 2, 4
Holmes 11, 4, 1
Hickman 10, 1, 1 fouled out
Gelbard 6, 3, 1, 2 blks
McLean 2, 5, 3
Johnson 2, 1, 0, fouled out
Swan 2, 0, 1
Davis 0, 2, 0
Griffin 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 58-26%
REB: +4
TO: -17 (4-21)
Pts in paint: +36 (40-4)
2nd chance: -3
Fast break: +16 (19-3)
[/INDENT]
Notes

• What's more concerning than the fouls called on us, was that HIGH out-rebounded us on the offensive glass. Clearly, we need C Michael Jackson back, as the next rounds would be against opponents that are much better than HIGH.

[randy]

C Michael Jackson (95% - 1 day) ready to play. But PF Adam McLean (75% - 9 days) got injured the last game

Mar 19, 2011: (8) Florida (18-12, 9-7) vs (1) #4 Clemson (29-4, 16-2)

Scouting Report

1. Primary defense: M2M
2. Offense focus: Balanced (fast)
3. Key players:
   
   • Jr PF Andrea Green (11.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, All Conf, #49 class rank)
   • Jr PG Wayne Majerus (10.1 ppg, 4.1 apg, 45% 3PT, #44 class rank)
4. Strengths:
   
   • Pressure defense: 17.6 topg (#9)
   • Rebounding: 33.3 rpg (#48)
5. Weaknesses:
   
   • Shooting: 42.2 % FG (#282), 36.6 % 3PT (#105)
6. How they got here:
   
   • Finished 6th SEC; Lost Conference Tournament Quarter Finals
   • (Round 64) Def Texas Tech, 68-58 (Green - 13 pts; FL: +16 fast break pts; TT: 21 turn overs)

Strategies

1. We face a team who plays a similar defensive style, forcing their opponents to commit turn overs. Whichever team can take care of the ball better would likely win. Florida won their game against Texas Tech despite shooting only 39% FG

Start of 1st half

FL with 3 more turn overs than us. Up 11-8, 13:35. SG Brett Holmes with 11 pts off the bench, including a couple of 3pt baskets. Both teams shooting below 40% FG, but FL has 10 turn overs already. Up 23-10, 7:27. Both teams got into penalty, but we shot better from the line to help retain our lead. Halftime, Up 33-19.

Key stats / Notes (Halftime)

• Turn overs: FL 15, CLEM 6
• Fast break pts: FL 2, CLEM 13

Start of 2nd half

FL beginning to match our intensity on defense, as they have forced us to commit 4 turn overs already. We hit 4 3pt shots to offset. Up 47-34, 12:50. FL turning the ball over again (20 turn overs so far), and they have done nothing to reduce our lead despite getting us into penalty. Up 57-41, 7:29. I rested my key players with less than 3 mins remaining, and a 19 pt lead.


Final Score: Florida - 55, Clemson - 71


Box Scores
[INDENT]Holmes 25, 4, 0, 4 tos
Jackson 8, 6, 2, 2 stls, 2 blks, fouled out
Hunter 7, 5, 5, 2 stls, 2 blks
Johnson 7, 4, 2
Davis 6, 5, 1
Ballinger 6, 3, 3
DeWitt 4, 3, 1
Hickman 4, 3, 0
Gelbard 4, 2, 0, 2 stls
Swan 0, 2, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 42-35%
REB: +4
TO: -8 (15-23)
Pts in paint: +14
2nd chance: -9
Fast break: +12 (23-11)
[/INDENT]
Notes

• We did what we're supposed to do on defense, and that is to keep harassing their perimeter players, and we get a satisfactory win. Outstanding shooting performance for SG Brett Holmes. Despite playing only 17 limited minutes, C Michael Jackson performed well coming from injury.

[randy]

PF Adam McLean (81% - 4 days) still injured and won't play

Mar 24, 2011: (8) UCLA (20-13, 10-8) vs (1) #4 Clemson (30-4, 16-2)

Scouting Report

1. Primary defense: 2-3 zone
2. Offense focus: Outside
3. Key players:
   
   • Sr SG Greedy Patterson (19.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, Conf POY, 2-time All Conf)
4. Strengths:
   
   • Rebounding: 36.4 rpg (#10)
   • Defense: 60.7 opp ppg (#23), 38.8% opp FG (#6)
5. Weaknesses:
   
   • Offense: 65.4 ppg (#230), 41.2 % FG (#330), 33.7 % 3PT (#222)
   • Ball handling: 15.1 topg (#246)
6. How they got here:
   
   • Finished 4th Pac 12; Lost Conference Tournament Semi Finals
   • (Play In) Def Kansas, 61-36 (KAN: 24% FG)
   • (Round 64) Def #25 Oklahoma St, 73-53 (Patterson 21 pts; OKST: 29% FG)
   • (Round 32) Def Southern Illinois, 56-42 (Patterson 20 pts; SILL: 29% FG)

Strategies

1. No team has shot more than 30% FG against UCLA in their 3 tournament games so far. Playing against a 2-3 zone, our shooters' performance will be key in this game
2. Defensively, we'll switch an SF to guard Patterson

Start of 1st half

UCLA's SG Greedy Patterson just too good of an offensive player, scoring 6 pts despite the defensive focus we are giving to him. Tied at 8, 12:47. We have forced 8 turn overs on UCLA already, but our 30% FG shooting not allowing us to pull away. Up 17-16, 7:52. We're doing the job defensively, but this is still a close game as UCLA are no slouch on defense as well. Halftime, Up 31-27.


Key stats / Notes (Halftime)

• Turn overs: UCLA 12, CLEM 5
• FG shooting: UCLA 48%, CLEM 32%

Start of 2nd half

Our shooting has even dipped to 29% FG, but we're still hanging on to our lead. Up 37-33, 13:46. A string of turn overs by UCLA (total of 20 turn overs so far in the game) allowed us to get easy transition pts, and extend our lead. Up 51-38, 7:26.

UCLA's good shooting earlier in the game is now gone. We'll slow down the game, and we should be able to hang on. Up 58-42, 2:02.


Final Score: UCLA - 46, Clemson - 62


Box Scores
[INDENT]Jackson 14, 7, 0, 3 blks (*)
Hunter 12, 3, 1
Ballinger 10, 4, 1, 4 tos
DeWitt 7, 8, 2, 4 stls, 4 tos
Johnson 7, 4, 2,3 stls
Davis 6, 5, 0
Swan 5, 1, 1
Gelbard 1, 4, 3, 2 stls
Holmes 0, 3, 0, 5 tos
Hickman 0, 1, 2
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 32-34%
REB: +8 (+11 off)
TO: -9 (15-24)
Pts in paint: +12
2nd chance: +5
Fast break: +4
[/INDENT]
Notes

• In a game of attrition where both teams shoot below 40% FG, number of possessions becomes the key factor. Our advantage in off rebounds and turn overs resulted in a +21 differential in FG attempts, and that was the main story in this game
• SF Frank DeWitt did a good job hounding UCLA's SG Greedy Patterson who finished 10 pts (below half his average) on 4-16 FG. DeWitt missed more than 2 months during the regular season because of a broken leg, but I'm glad he's back to his form now. DeWitt is our designated stopper, capable of guarding a high-scoring SG/SF.

[randy]

#13 Maryland def #8 North Carolina St, and then scored a huge upset win against defending champion #1 Indiana, to book themselves a trip to the Final Four.

#6 Georgia Tech and Duke will slug it out in the West Regional Finals

If we win our next game against #15 Iowa, we'll have 3 ACC teams in the Final Four

Wake Forest also made it to the NIT Final Four

What a year so far for the ACC!