Tonight's game: Virginia at Clemson

Mar 3, 2009, 9:45 AM

Who: Virginia (9-16, 3-11 ACCRPI about even with yesterday's closing Dow Jones average) at Clemson (22-6, 8-6 ACC, No. 18 AP)
When: Tonight, 7 p.m. in Littlejohn
Is it on TV?FSN, unless there's a hockey game going on.
What's the spread? Clemson -15. but we were double-digit favorites at Charlottesville, too.

Please! No rerun with the Cavaliers!

OK, no joking, no fooling around: what's happening with the Tigers? I don't know that anything is wrong, per say. But a couple of very unpleasant trends have emerged in the recent losses.

The first is turnovers. In the loss to FSU, we had 23 of them. In the loss to (ugh!) Virginia, we had 21. At the time, I think we all just chalked that up to our annual ##### game. Now it seems to be something a little deeper. Unforced errors have robbed us of scoring attempts and given opponents extra opportunities. VTech and FSU are too good to be giving up that sort of edge, so we lost.

Our first-half team photo vs. the Hoos

But the last loss to the Cavs ran a little deeper. Not only did we gie them an extra dozen chances to score, we played a pretty meager defense and couldn't hit a 3 in the first half to save our souls. Given that, the fact that we were a contested tip-in from winning that game in Charlottesville was a testament to the guys not giving up.

How have the Hoos done since our last game? About the same as they did before. The nipped instate foe VTech in an emotional game, the collapsed in home games against Miami and Wake. Things are back to normal in Hoo-ville, it seems.

There was WAY too much of this against Clemson

Virginia is still led by freshman wonderboy Sylven Landesberg (17.5 ppg, 6 reb, 23 points vs. Clemson the last game) but his production has trailed a bit since then ... 10 points vs. Wake and 13 vs. Miami ... and no one is stepping up in his place.

The big surprise for the Hoos against Clemson was Sammy Zeglinski (8 ppg, 2 reb, 15 points vs. Clemson last time on 6-6 shooting) and Mike Scott (10 ppg, 8 reb, 18 points and 10 reb vs. Clemson last time). Basically they played hard, but we really made the hoos look good inside and out. The Cav bench was rolling and we weren't ready to play until we were staring at a double-digit deficit ... again ... That was a fatal error on their home floor.

No! No! Assane Sene!

So what's different this time? A couple of things. First, their 7-foot fly swatter Assane Sene is hobbled with a sore ankle. The Hoos also seem to be slumping inside as their last two foes have strongly outrebounded them.

That would be a major tonic for Clemson, who really looked out of synch inside against FSU. Most of the turnovers against both VTech and FSu came trying to move the ball inside, and at FSU Trevor Booker (15 ppg, 10 reb, 2 blk) was held to 8 point and didn't get to the free throw line. A rejuvenated inside game would force the Cavs to pack their pesky zone defense a little more, hopefully giving Clemson a better outside percentage than the miserable numbers we had in Charlottesville.

We're gonna miss you, KC!

It's also senior night in Littlejohn, and two guys would really like to go out in style. KC Rivers (14.5 ppg, 6 reb, 2 ast 15 against Virginia last game) had a lousy night from the outside on offense and defense. I'm sure he'd like to leave the Hoos with a stronger memory of his time at Clemson.

One last night in Littlejohn

Ray Sykes (8 ppg, 5 reb. 5 blocks vs. FSU) had a strong game against the Hoos (9 points 11 boards) and a repeat would be a nice way to go out at Littlejohn. Since the hoos seemed more interested in limiting Booker's touches than actually stopping the Tigers inside, he might well have a big game ... as long as we take care working the ball inside.

The wild card, once again, may be Terrence Oglesby. Hot one game cold the next, alternating between 6 assists one game and 6 turnovers the next, TO was woeful early against the Hoos, then caught fire in the second half to finish with 17 points. And yes, he was fouled on that 3-pointer that could have broken the Hoos back. Here's hoping he remembers that and makes them pay for it tonight.

But the main thing that may help the Tigers focus is a growing sense of urgency. A week ago, we were discussing how the Tigers could possibly still win the title. Now it's how on Earth can we still get a bye? the win tonight isn't just important for league standings, it's critical to prevent the talk of "same old Clemson" from resurfacing.

Time to shut folks up, Tigers!
How, then, do we stop the talking? By playing the basketball that smashed Duke and overwhelmed Maryland. We don't need miracles, but we do need solid play and good decision making.

On offense, don't be so urgnet to force the ball inside which is leading us into turnovers. Virginia is going to play zone. Work for good shots, and if that means eating some clock, fine. We shoot nearly 40 percent from outside, and once we connect from there, the Hoos will have little choice but to stretch their zone. THEN Ray and Trevor will have their way with the Cavs.

On defense, don't get lazy. Stay in front of Landesberg and don't give him those cuts to the basket. force the Hoos to make the extra passes against pressure, rather than just dumping over the top. If they get some easy shots, fine. Just remember their bench is shorter, their options more limited. We're deeper and better and they have no reason to be in the game late if we play as we should.

Now, if we want to give Virginia another 20-pplus turnovers and shoot 15 percent from outside, then they're going to beat us. Or rather we're going to beat ourselves. This is the game that determines just how much we want to play, and play well.

Stop the skid, Tigers. Remember who you are, and show the Cavs who they are.

Message was edited by: RevDodd®

Message was edited by: RevDodd®

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Tonight's game: Virginia at Clemson

Point for Rerun...he was Phat before Phat was Cool***

Game is on RSN (FSN) not Raycom***

Phew! Thanks! I thought I was doomed!***

"This ain't no party, this ain't no disco,

And you may ask yourself: Where does this highway go?***

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