Tuesday January 19, 2010

Ring of Honor; GT Preview; Purnell Breaks Record

Ring of Honor
Today was a day in which we try to get back to a sense of normalcy. Sunday and Monday were hard on Clemson nation.

I always think of families of tragedies on the second day a lot. While most of us are devastated when something big hits around us we usually try to get back to the normal lifestyle the following day. For the family, normalcy is far in the distance, if ever reached. Gaines’ mom and dad are going to have to something no parent should ever have to do and that is bury their son.

One of the things that came out of the past 48 hours was the question of Gaines and his candidacy for the Ring of Honor. I don’t think anyone should ever be rushed through the process, so Gaines is still a few years away from the Hall of Fame and a chance at the Ring of Honor.

However, Gaines did make a very strong case for being in the Ring of Honor one day. I say this based on three facts. First he is one of only three unanimous first team All-Americans in Clemson football history. Second, no one has ever had more sacks in a Clemson career. Third, no Clemson player has ever been drafted higher in the NFL draft. Gaines was the ACC defensive player of the year as well but those first three superlatives make a strong case for the future argument.

Georgia Tech Preview
A few weeks ago we talked about how tough the first six games of the ACC schedule were for the Tigers. Clemson had two games with Duke and one apiece with North Carolina and Georgia Tech. Four of the first six games were against ranked opponents and three were on the road. I made the case that a 2-4 start was the low end of acceptable but a 3-3 start would mean the Tigers have a chance at a first round bye in the ACC tournament and a higher NCAA tournament bid.

Human nature is to get greedy and now that the Tigers are 3-1 in the league, we all want more. I am surprised Clemson is only a three or four point underdog tonight and my expectations were lowered with Demontez Stitt’s injury. But it appears the Tigers have a chance at a terrific first half in the league.

Even with a loss tonight, Clemson could beat Duke at home Saturday and I would think Clemson would be a favorite at Boston College and at home against Maryland. A 6-2 first half of the ACC season would be better than anyone could have ever dreamed. Even with a spilt of the next four games, Clemson would be 5-3 in the league at the half way mark. I think a realistic goal is a first round bye in the ACC tournament.

Tonight is a tough matchup because Georgia Tech might be the most talented team in the ACC and the game is on the road. This team has at least four future NBA players in its program.

Tech’s roster is full of four and five star players including two front court players that might be lottery picks in Gani Lawal and Derrick Favors. Lawal averages 15.2 points and 9.2 board per game. Freshman sensation Favors is averages 11.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per contest. Both players provide tough matchups for most opponents.

Iman Shumpert is another matchup issue as the guard averages 10.9 points per game and is coming off a terrific performance in the win at Chapel Hill.

Mfon Udofia is a freshmen that I have not seen a lot yet but he is a four star guard that is averaging 10.4 points and almost four rebounds per game.

Zachery Peacock is an experienced big body with some range that can also give defenses fits.

This team looks a little like last year’s Wake Forest team that featured future NBA stars like Al-Farouq Aminu, James Johnson and Jeff Teague.

I may make the Jackets sound like the L.A. Lakers but remember they have lost four games this year including two in the league. I am still waiting for someone to explain how Georgia Tech could lose to Georgia and Virginia. I think it is inexcusable for Tech to get beat at home by Florida State.

I guess there are only three explanations. First is Paul Hewitt. Sure he can recruit as well as anyone but game planning and X and Os are different stories. Second is the fact that some of these ultra-talented teams with future NBA stars sometimes have chemistry issues. It happened last year with Wake Forest. Third, it is basketball. Some nights teams can just get hot and beat you and some nights you may be cold and just play bad

In any case, I just can’t see the Tigers pulling off the upset in Alexander Memorial Coliseum tonight but feel better about Saturday’s game with Duke.

Another Record Broken
I did not see much written about it but Oliver Purnell broke a Clemson record Saturday when his Tigers beat NC State in Raleigh. Purnell notched his 15th ACC road victory Saturday. Purnell was tied with Bobby Roberts, Bill Foster and Cliff Ellis before the win against NC State. It took Roberts eight seasons to win 14 road conference games, Foster did it in nine years and Ellis did it in ten years.

Earlier this year Purnell broke another record. His Clemson teams have been ranked in the polls 45 weeks. The previous record was Rick Barnes who had the Tigers ranked 38 weeks. Tates Locke had Clemson ranked seven weeks. Bill Foster did it 23 times and Cliff Ellis did it 16 times.

If Clemson ends the season ranked, Purnell will be the first coach in Clemson history to have three teams finish the season ranked.

Purnell is 12 wins away from breaking the record for ACC regular season wins. The next time Purnell wins an ACC tournament game he will break the Clemson record for wins in the ACC tourney with four.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, Chalmers Carr, Drayton Melton, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Bob Pollock, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Mike Kingsmore,Perrin Seigler, Carole White Begley, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, Steve Cato, the Nicolopulos family, Cason Palmer, Candace Fallaw, Scott Jackson, "the Jacksonville, FL guys".