Path to the Hall of Fame (v2)

[randy]

Dec 13, 2010: #16 Clemson (7-1) @ Vanderbilt (3-4)

VANDY 2-10 FG. Up 12-6, 13:42. We had some success going into a 3-guard lineup as we hit some outside shots. C Michael Jackson also providing inside pts to complement our balanced offense. Up 26-14, 7:52. Our offense exploded even more in the latter part of the 2st half, and was capped by a buzzer beating 3pt shot. Every body is in the zone in offense. Halftime, Up 51-26.

VANDY's offense playing better in the 2nd half, but they have simply traded baskets with us. Up 61-38, 13:55. No signs of a big rally from VANDY. I will begin to pull out my starters and slow down the game. Up 77-52, 6:50.


Final Score: Clemson - 85, Vanderbilt - 61


Box Scores
[INDENT]Jackson 18, 9, 0 (*)
Holmes 17, 3, 4
Johnson 13, 5, 0
Ballinger 12, 4, 4
McLean 7, 7, 1
Griffin 6, 0, 0
Swan 4, 4, 5
Hunter 4, 1, 8, 2 stls
Davis 2, 3, 1
Hickman 2, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 54-36%
REB: +8
TO: +2
Pts in paint: +14
2nd chance: Even
Fast break: -4
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Dec 13, 2010: #16 Clemson (8-1) @ South Carolina (2-6)

SC looking to run the floor all the time, and our transition defense wasn't up to par early in the game. Down 4-11, 13:56. Nothing going for us, as we're shooting 15% FG. To make things worse, foul count is 6-0, and I even got a technical for complaining to the refs. Down 6-23, 7:31. Deficit was as high as 20, but we managed to trim it down barely. Halftime, Down 22-37.

We played with more sense of urgency at the start of the 2nd half, led by PG CHris Hunter who scored 7 pts in a 14-0 run. Down 36-37, 16:23. After SC finally scored in the 2nd half, we continued to be aggressive and came up with another 9-1 run; SC forced to call a timeout. Up 45-40, 12:52.

SC's offense has produced only 3 FGs made in more than 13 minutes of play in the 2nd half. Up 51-46, 6:40. We're in the penalty, and SC able to knock down some FTs. SG Brett Holmes (7 pts) already fouled out of the game. Up 55-52, 3:44.

A turn over by SC. But we missed the chance to extend our lead. We got called on a foul on the next play, and SC hits their FTs again. I call a timeout. Up 55-54, 3:02.

SG Jonathan Ballinger (12 pts), who just came in to the floor during the timeout, knocks down a jumper. Up 57-54, 2:50. We played good defense, and SC had to settle for a contested 3 which they missed. We get the rebound. Ballinger missed a 3. SC gets the ball back. We get a steal. On our offensive play, SC called for a foul which puts them into penalty. 1-and-1 for SF Dennis Johnson. Johnson missed the front end. SC with the rebound. A miss by SC. I call a timeout. We wasted some chances there to ice this game. Up 57-54, 1:24.

SG Jonathan Ballinger attempts another 3. He missed again. SC with the rebound. C Michael Jackson comes up with a block. We recover the ball. I signaled that we go favor inside. We're trying to pass the ball to Jackson inside, but the ball was intercepted. Timeout SC. Up 57-54, 0:44.

SG Jonathan Ballinger with the steal. We dribbled to the front court and called a timeout. Up 57-54, 0:33.

Ideally, we want the ball to go to C Michael Jackson and let him power himself to the basket. SC must have anticipated it and comes up with a steal, and they scored on transition. I called my last timeout. Up 57-56, 0:20.

Last shot time. SC might give up a foul; they did. 1-and-1 for SG Jonathan Ballinger. Makes the important 1st FT; and also the 2nd. Timeout SC. Up 59-56, 0:18.

We'll press and go 1-2-2 zone. SC able to put up a 3 before time expired. Miss. Game over.

Superb effort by the team coming back from a 20-pt deficit. Goes to show that nothing is impossible as long as we play with more energy on defense.


Final Score: Clemson - 59, South Carolina - 56


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

[randy]

Dec 21, 2010: Toledo (2-7) @ #14 Clemson (9-1)

Good start on defense, as we now have 4 steals and allowing TOL to shoot only 25% FG. Up 13-6, 13:26. TOL still having difficulty getting decent shots against our relentless double-team defense. On offense, we've reestablished our inside game. Up 27-13, 7:38. TOL tried to quicken the pace to up their scoring, but it worsened for them as we put up a buch of pts as well. Halftime, Up 50-28.

TOL came out strong in the 2nd half, starting with a 7-0 run. We scored enough baskets to not let things get out of hand, but it is clear that our defense suffered a letdown in the 2nd half so far. Up 61-45, 13:28. We restored some of our energy on defense, as we gave up only 2 FGs made in the last 6 mins. Up 70-52, 7:46. I pulled out my key players with 3 mins remaining and a 29 pt lead.

Superb effort on coming up with a huge advantage in 2nd chance pts and fast break pts


Final Score: Toledo - 59, Clemson - 88


Box Scores
[INDENT]Jackson 26, 11, 0 (*)
Davis 16, 3, 1
Hunter 9, 4, 3
Johnson 8, 5, 4
Holmes 8, 2, 1, 3 stls
McLean 6, 9, 1, 2 stls, 2 blks
Ballinger 6, 1, 5
Hickman 4, 7, 2, 2 stls
Swan 3, 1, 1
Griffin 2, 0, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 56-38%
REB: +16 (+7 off)
TO: -7 (8-15)
Pts in paint: +42 (56-12)
2nd chance: +19 (19-0)
Fast break: +20 (24-4)
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Season Preview / Predictions

1. North Carolina St
2. Duke
3. Clemson
4. Georgia Tech
5. Maryland
6. Virginia
7. Wake Forest
8. North Carolina
9. Florida St
10. Virginia Tech
11. Boston College
12. Miami (FL)

Non-Conference Records (RPI)

1. #3 Georgia Tech, 9-3 (2)
2. #10 Duke, 9-1 (7)
3. #15 Clemson, 10-1 (12)
4. #18 North Carolina St, 6-3 (13)
5. #12 Maryland, 11-0 (16)
6. Florida St, 5-4 (18)
7. #23 Virginia, 8-1 (36)
8. Wake Forest, 6-3 (45)
9. Miami (FL), 7-2 (99)
10. Boston College, 4-7 (223)
11. North Carolina, 3-6 (290)
12. Virginia Tech, 4-5 (292)

[randy]

Dec 28, 2010: #15 Clemson (9-1, 0-0) @ Florida St (5-4, 0-0)

We got our transition game early, as FLST committed 5 turn overs already. Up 15-8, 13:17. SF Dennis Johnson already with 10 pts. FLST now with 11 turn overs. Up 29-14, 7:54. Our perimeter players are on target today, contributing to our 52% FG in the 1st half. Halftime, Up 44-24.

Our shooting may have dipped a little bit, but we made it up with our tenacious rebounding, esp on the off glass. Up 60-40, 11:24. We spent the rest of the game practicing our zone defenses, as we cruise ourselves to victory.


Final Score: Clemson - 77, Florida St - 54


Box Scores
[INDENT]Holmes 20, 2, 2 (*)
Johnson 17, 4, 0, 3 stls
Hunter 11, 4, 8, 4 tos
Hickman 10, 6, 0
McLean 8, 9, 3, 2 stls
Jackson 8, 7, 0
Ballinger 2, 3, 2, 2 stls
Davis 1, 3, 0
Swan 0, 2, 1
Griffin 0, 1, 2
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 45-35%
REB: +17 (+9 off)
TO: -7 (15-22)
Pts in paint: +22
2nd chance: +7
Fast break: +10 (14-4)
[/INDENT]


ACC Conference Standings

1. #12 Maryland, 1-0 (W1)
2. Miami (FL), 1-0 (W1)
3. #15 Clemson, 1-0 (W1)
4. #18 North Carolina St, 1-0 (W1)
5. Boston College, 1-0 (W1)
6. Virginia Tech, 1-0 (W1)
7. #3 Georgia Tech, 0-1 (L1)
8. Florida St, 0-1 (L1)
9. #10 Duke, 0-1 (L1)
10. #23 Virginia, 0-6 (L1)
11. North Carolina, 0-1 (L1)
12. Wake Forest, 0-1 (L1)

[randy]

Dec 31, 2010: #15 Clemson (11-1, 1-0) @ North Carolina (3-7, 0-1)

Uninspiring start on offense, 3-9 FG. Down 8-10, 13:20. Finally some boost of energy in our offense, initiated by PF Tommy Davis who contributed 5 pts off the bench. Up 22-15, 7:32. Everyone pitching in on scoring. Plus, we tightened up our defense forcing UNC to commit 11 turn overs and countless of contested shots. Halftime, Up 38-22. UNC only 24% FG, and almost half of their pts came from the FT line.

Despite back-to-back 3pt shots b UNC, we are still in control of this game. Up 49-33, 12:28. UNC still fighting hard as they trim their deficit to as low as 13, but C Michael Jackson has gone to work inside. Up 57-41, 7:49. I pulled off my key players with 3 mins remaining and a 20 pt lead.

Another good effort on defense, as we got ourselves 8 blks and 6 steals.


Final Score: Clemson - 69, North Carolina - 56


Box Scores
[INDENT]Jackson 15, 8, 1, 2 blks (*)
Hunter 10, 1, 2
Ballinger 9, 6, 4, 3 stls, 4 blks
McLean 9, 3, 1
Johnson 7, 5, 2
Davis 7, 4, 0
Hickman 6, 8, 2
Holmes 5, 2, 0
Griffin 1, 1, 0
Swan 0, 1, 2
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 44-33%
REB: +12 (+9 off)
TO: -6
Pts in paint: +30 (36-6)
2nd chance: +4
Fast break: +11 (19-8)
[/INDENT]


ACC Conference Standings

1. #8 Maryland, 2-0 (W2)
2. #11 Clemson, 2-0 (W2)
3. #14 North Carolina St, 2-0 (W2)
4. Boston College, 2-0 (W2)
5. Wake Forest, 1-1 (W1)
6. Miami (FL), 1-1 (L1)
7. #4 Georgia Tech, 1-1 (W1)
8. Virginia Tech, 1-1 (L1)
9. Florida St, 0-2 (L2)
10. #12 Duke, 0-2 (L2)
11. Virginia, 0-2 (L2)
12. North Carolina, 0-2 (L2)

[randy]

C Wesely Hickman slight injured; I may not opt him to play, unless absolutely necessary

Jan 4, 2011: Virginia (8-3, 0-2) @ #11 Clemson (12-1, 2-0)

I am pleased with the effort on defense, as VA's 4 of their 1st 5 attempts resulted in shot blocks. Up 17-3, 13:06. Our good defense is being completed by our efficiency on offense, as we're shooting 70% FG. Up 32-8, 6:51. Our rebounding is also commendable, as we're already +19 on rebs, and +12 on 2nd chance pts. Halftime, Up 48-17.

VA showing some signs of aggressiveness on offense, relentlessly attacking the rim; but they are already in a deep hole, it would take a monumental effort to get back in this game. Up 56-31, 13:55. Our offense has cooled off, but we regained our dominance on defense as we limited VA to only 4 pts in the last 8 mins. Up 62-35, 5:40. Bench players, including walk ons, now getting ready to come in.

A very dominant win, thanks to our defense. VA simply got outworked today.


Final Score: Virginia - 47, Clemson - 78


Box Scores
[INDENT]Jackson 19, 10, 0 (*)
McLean 10, 7, 2
Johnson 10, 6, 2
Hunter 10, 3, 5, 4 blks
Davis 10, 3, 0
Ballinger 9, 2, 3
Swan 4, 3, 1
Gelbard 2, 2, 0
Leach 2, 1, 1
Griffin 2, 0, 0
Holmes 0, 3, 4
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 54-33%
REB: +22 (+6 off)
TO: -5
Pts in paint: +36 (50-14)
2nd chance: +13 (16-3)
Fast break: +10 (12-2)
[/INDENT]


ACC Conference Standings

1. #11 Clemson, 3-0 (W3)
2. #14 North Carolina St, 3-0 (W3)
3. #8 Maryland, 2-1 (L1)
4. #4 Georgia Tech, 2-1 (W2)
5. Boston College, 2-1 (L1)
6. Wake Forest, 2-1 (W2)
7. Florida St, 1-2 (W1)
8. #12 Duke, 1-2 (W1)
9. Miami (FL), 1-2 (L2)
10. Virginia Tech, 1-2 (L2)
11. Virginia, 0-3 (L3)
12. North Carolina, 0-3 (L3)

[randy]

Jan 7, 2011: #4 Georgia Tech (11-4, 2-1) @ #11 Clemson (13-1, 3-0)

We're not lacking on effort esp on the off glass, but our shots not falling. Clearly, GT is playing a similar defense-oriented game just like we do. Down 5-10, 13:24. As expected, this has become a low-scoring, high-turn over game. Down 11-15, 7:42. We were playing catch up most of the time, until we hit back-to-back 3pt shots in the dying seconds of the 1st half. Halftime, Up 27-22. Perhaps just one small run in the 2nd half, is all it would take for a team to win this game.

And we came up with strong 13-2 run to start the 2nd half, led by our big men. C Michael Jackson, who went 0-6 FG in the 1st half, has hit all his 3 attempts in the 2nd half so far. Up 40-24, 15:14. GT able to cut our lead to 12 several times, but they couldn't hit a string of shots to sustain their rally. Up 51-34, 6:55. A 20 pt lead with 3 mins remaining, and my starters head to the bench.

Not the kind of game you would like to watch, if you prefer a high-scoring match. but this are the kind of games we thrive in. True enough, all it took was just one run at the start of the 2nd half, to get ourselves a reasonable lead which we never relinquished.


Final Score: Georgia Tech - 38, Clemson - 61


Box Scores
[INDENT]Ballinger 21, 4, 2, 3 stls, 4-6 3PT (*)
Jackson 14, 15, 0, 3 blks
McLean 6, 3, 1, 2 blks
Holmes 6, 2, 0, 5 tos
Davis 4, 5, 0
Hickman 4, 4, 0
Hunter 3, 6, 7
Swan 3, 2, 2
Johnson 0, 3, 2, 2 stls
Griffin 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 36-28%
REB: +5
TO: -7 (14-21)
Pts in paint: +22
2nd chance: +5
Fast break: +5
[/INDENT]


ACC Conference Standings

1. #7 Clemson, 4-0 (W4)
2. #8 Maryland, 3-1 (W1)
3. #14 North Carolina St, 3-1 (L1)
4. #5 Georgia Tech, 2-2 (L1)
5. #12 Duke, 2-2 (W2)
6. Miami (FL), 2-2 (W1)
7. Boston College, 2-2 (L2)
8. Wake Forest, 2-2 (L1)
9. Virginia Tech, 1-2 (W1)
10. Florida St, 1-3 (L1)
11. North Carolina, 1-3 (W1)
12. Virginia, 0-4 (L4)

[randy]

Jan 11, 2011: #7 Clemson (14-1, 4-0) @ Boston College (6-9, 2-2)

Took less than 5 minutes for SG Jonathan Ballinger to reach double figures with 10 pts. Up 17-6, 13:45. Our turn overs allowed BC to get close to within 8 pts, but our defense has kept BC quiet since then. Up 25-12, 7:37. BC has shot relatively well at 45% FG, but their 14 turn overs would be too difficult to offset. Halftime, Up 44-27.

BC having difficulty containing our 3 guard lineup, as we keep getting open looks on the perimeter. Up 66-43, 8:37. A 28 pt lead with just over 4 mins remaining; bench getting ready to come in.


Final Score: Clemson - 88, Boston College - 57


Box Scores
[INDENT]Ballinger 22, 3, 4 (*)
Holmes 15, 1, 8
Hunter 11, 6, 8, 2 stls
Johnson 10, 6, 1
Jackson 8, 4, 0, 3 blks
Davis 6, 3, 0, 2 blks
Hickman 6, 3, 0
Griffin 4, 4, 1
McLean 3, 8, 1, 2 stls
Swan 3, 1, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 53-37%
REB: +8 (+6 off)
TO: -11 (11-22)
Pts in paint: +18
2nd chance: -4
Fast break: +6
[/INDENT]


ACC Conference Standings

1. #7 Clemson, 5-0 (W5)
2. #8 Maryland, 4-1 (W2)
3. #14 North Carolina St, 4-1 (W1)
4. #5 Georgia Tech, 3-2 (W1)
5. #12 Duke, 3-2 (W3)
6. Miami (FL), 3-2 (W2)
7. Boston College, 2-3 (L3)
8. Wake Forest, 2-3 (L2)
9. Virginia Tech, 2-3 (L1)
10. Florida St, 1-4 (L2)
11. North Carolina, 1-4 (L1)
12. Virginia, 0-5 (L5)

[randy]

Jan 14, 2011: #12 Duke (12-3, 3-2) @ #7 Clemson (15-1, 5-0)

We'e shooting 67% FG. Up 19-12, 12:29. DUKE already with 8 turn overs. Up 34-19, 5:14. DUKE's starting guards combined for 16 pts, but they were completely over matched on the positions. Halftime, Up 50-31.

C Michael Jackson (16 pts) asserting himself once again. Up 62-40, 13:16. Our fouls and turn overs beginning to pile up, but we have built a large enough cushion to be threatened. Up 73-50, 7:22. I cleared the bench with more than 3 mins remaining.

Not as explosive of an offense in the 2nd half as compered to the 1st, but our defense remained consistent the entire game.


Final Score: Duke - 55, Clemson - 79


Box Scores
[INDENT]Jackson 18, 9, 0, 4 blks
Holmes 14, 5, 2
Hunter 13, 3, 5
Johnson 11, 4, 0
Ballinger 6, 4, 3
Hickman 6, 3, 1
Davis 6, 1, 2, 2 stls
Swan 3, 1, 2
McLean 2, 2, 1
Griffin 0, 0, 1
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 56-33%
REB: +5
TO: -1
Pts in paint: +22
2nd chance: -2
Fast break: +2
[/INDENT]


ACC Conference Standings

1. #6 Clemson, 6-0 (W6)
2. #7 Maryland, 5-1 (W3)
3. #10 North Carolina St, 5-1 (W2)
4. #4 Georgia Tech, 4-2 (W2)
5. #12 Duke, 3-3 (L1)
6. Miami (FL), 3-3 (L1)
7. Virginia Tech, 3-3 (W1)
8. Boston College, 2-4 (L4)
9. Wake Forest, 2-4 (L3)
10. Virginia, 1-5 (W1)
11. Florida St, 1-5 (L3)
12. North Carolina, 1-5 (L2)