Tigers tumble
Clemson fails to figure out Michigan's zone defense in another first-round defeat
By Travis Sawchik
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Tigers sat shoulder-to-shoulder, silent in despair and shock.
In one of the season's final huddles, with 11:53 to play and trailing No. 10 seed Michigan by a dozen points, Clemson assistant Josh Postorino urged the team to "get up."
MCT
Clemson guard K.C. Rivers covers his head as he leaves the court after losing 62-59 to Michigan, during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday.
Clemson had been losing a grip on its season for several weeks.
They entered Thursday having lost four of five. Legs were fading, fingers pointed behind closed doors. In that huddle, the Tigers began to sober to the fact that it might be lost. It ended with a 62-59 loss to Michigan in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
"Time was running short," senior K.C. Rivers said. "Our push was too late."
No. 7 seed Clemson (23-9) made a final surge, nearly coming back from a 16-point second-half deficit if Rivers' 3-pointer to tie the game at the buzzer had been true.
The miss dropped the senior captain to drop to the floor in anguish, and Michigan students partied like it was 1990s again in the lower bowl of the Sprint Center.
It was Michigan's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 1998. The Tigers (23-9) have not won a tournament game since 1997, which ironically came in Kansas City, when Clemson defeated Tulsa, 65-59, in the Kemper Center.
"I thought our big problem was we couldn't get the basketball to go in," said Clemson coach Oliver Purnell, who is 0-5 in the NCAA Tournament. "Defensively we improved over the last couple of weeks.
"We just couldn't get a lot of point-blank shots to go in."
MCT
Michigan's Manny Harris (center) scores against Clemson's Trevor Booker (left) during the second half Thursday during the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Kansas City, Mo.
The Tigers were dazed in that timeout, still reeling from a Michigan blitz and losing Terrence Oglesby, who had been ejected after a frustration foul, a thrown elbow, with 17:20 to play, leaving Michigan with one less perimeter shooter to mark.
Trailing 48-36, Purnell told his club to believe. They regrouped. It was too late.
"We couldn't make layup," Purnell said. "I think Demontez (Stitt) in the lane missed four from 7 feet (and closer)."
Clemson had faced little zone — 20 possessions since Christmas according to Purnell — and the Tigers struggled to score.
Against several varieties of Michigan defense, some 2-3, some 1-3-1, some man, Clemson made just nine of 33 first-half field goal attempts.
Clemson shot just 32 percent for the game, and made just 5 of 22 3-point attempts (22.7 percent).
Stitt was held scoreless. Rivers and Oglesby were a combined 1 of 12 from beyond the arc. David Potter and Jerai Grant also missed close-range shots.
It was their second worst 3-point and overall shooting performances, their worst coming against Wake Forest (Jan. 17).
Purnell talked about inside-outside balance and he liked his team's execution — the shots simply weren't falling. Even rebound putbacks weren't falling. Clemson recorded 21 offensive rebounds and outrebounded Michigan, 44-33.
"We did a good job attacking off glass," said Trevor Booker, who scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. "We came up short.
"It ended in tragedy."
The Clemson defense which had been a sieve against in prior games against Wake Forest and Georgia Tech, was improved, holding Michigan to 39 percent shooting.
But Michigan has Manny Harris, who can hit from deep with his trademark release or drive and finish. He had a game-high 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting.
There were still breakdowns, and Michigan beat the press on occasion. And had more assists (16) than turnovers (14).
There were several transition 3-pointers, and a Harris dunk off a broken press gave Michigan a 43-28 lead with 16:10 to play. The Wolverines needed the entire cushion.
"It's not good enough for me, it's not good enough for the program," Purnell said of the season. "I'm just kind of numb."
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JRob (anonymous) says...
One of these years, Oliver P. will definitely win one. Might be good to go to a mid-major though lol! Good luck next year boys, especially if you're seeded 1-8. LOL.
March 20, 2009 at 2:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JRob (anonymous) says...
I know USC sucks. Keep trying and you'll get one. Like Sapakoff said, 12-0 baby!. Oklahoma and Blake Griffin going down. No doubt.
March 20, 2009 at 2:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
This team quit a month ago. It seemed like they were having to dig out from behind in all the games. Oh, well, we'll do better next year. Gotta love them, though. At least it's fun along the way there, and they don't leave you until you get to the altar with them.
March 20, 2009 at 7:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ashleyriver (anonymous) says...
Sadly, the night of the Tigers best defensive effort in the last month coincided with their worst offensive showing in the last month. At one point in the first half, they missed 13 consecutive shots---many of which were layups, all of which were open, and went from leading to trailing by six. Michigan was certainly beatable and I don't foresee them getting past the next game. At least the Tigers didn't quit and showed a lot of effort towards the end of the game when a few outside shots started to drop.
Another good season for OP's team. But I hope Tiger fans are not satisfied with "just" 20+ win seasons (which a few years ago were only a dream) and an invitation to the dance. As the talent level rises, more will be expected.
March 20, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sbs920 (anonymous) says...
neither team had a pair of dancing shoes that fit.
Both programs making good progress.
Just hope that both programs can keep their coaches in place with OP at CU and "Guido-Suit" Horn at USC.
Now on to baseball, can anyone say 0-6? I knew you could.
March 20, 2009 at 8:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wanj (anonymous) says...
Ripped my heart out again. I don't know how much more I can take Clemson. I hope Milton can come in and take us over the hump. Good year, good talent coming in, I guess I have to look at the positives.
March 20, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nappyd (anonymous) says...
Oglesby laying bricks from behind the arc didn't help either. Come on 1 for 7?
The team might be better off without him. Here's his 3-pt. shooting stats from their losses going by the box scores from their games at http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/sports/...
Loss @ UNC: 4-13 (6-19 overall!!)
Loss vs. FSU: 1-6 (2-9 overall)
Loss vs. Wake: 3-8 (5-12 overall)
Loss @ UVA: 5-10 (5-12 overall)
Loss vs. VT: 4-7 (6-14 overall)
Loss @ FSU: 4-10 (4-12 overall)
Loss @ Wake: 3-8 (3-11 overall)
ACC Tourney Loss vs. GT: 3-9 (4-11 overall)
Vs. Michigan: 1-7 (1-8 overall...and 3 turnovers that led to points)
So yeah Oglesby should have been frustrated. His crappy shooting and trying to force 3's instead of running the offense has cost the team this season.
That's an awful lot of missed 3 point shots in games this season with only the loss @ UVA, vs. wake, and vs. VT looking like good nights statswise from him. 50 missed 3's that could've been passes to someone else if he hadn't been such a ballhog.
March 20, 2009 at 8:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCHoser (anonymous) says...
Good point nappyd-not only are his bricks killing us, but all the other crap shots he tries. Too bad he is either hot or cold-never real consistent unless he's consistently bad. Seems ever since he did an interview after a decent performance earlier in the year, he has been a complete dud! I think his statement was that he could shoot it from anywhere over anyone, and man that has come back to haunt him. I actually cheered when they tossed him last night-he needs to take this off season to get his head screwed on right and play team ball! Again, all we can say now is....wait until next year....sigh....
March 20, 2009 at 9:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Whopper (anonymous) says...
Clemsurf - come and flush the turd you left behind!! Michigan did not deserve to be in the dance, and the upstate farm school did not either. It's time to get rid of the state's farm school and pay down state debt.
March 20, 2009 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OldSalt (anonymous) says...
As an outsider looking in, Ogilsby reminds me of when Adam Morrison was with the Bobcats. Can't "ball", can't play D, can only shoot - and miss. Use him as a sub. Let him try a three when he comes in. If he misses, sit him again because it isn't going to get any better.
If OP ever wins that first, first-round game, CU will go deep in the tournament. Cases in point: Arizona and Gonzaga.
As for "Guido-suit Horn", I hope he's as successful as Rick Petino or Pat Riley - then he can change his name to Vito for all I care.
March 20, 2009 at 10:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
theronce (anonymous) says...
I'll follow the wins and losses of baseball season, but how many days until the first football game on the march to our next national championship.
March 20, 2009 at 12:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
robbybobby (anonymous) says...
"The Tigers sat shoulder-to-shoulder, silent in despair and shock." Must be a mighty steep learning curve on that team. The wheels came off a month ago and they are still in shock? What does it take, a sledge hammer??? Too much kool aid. Bet tigger nation can't wait for football now. Another championship team just over the horizon. Or is that down the tubes. Seem to be one in the same. Get some perspective folks: it's clemzun athletics, that's all.
March 20, 2009 at 1:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ashleyriver (anonymous) says...
whopper--there are many who would prefer Clemson become a private institution and take full control of its future---but I fail to see why the taxpayers of SC would want to jettison the highest ranked public university in the state. Look at what they'd be left with.......
"the farm school"....lol.......why don't you check every major collegiate ranking service and see where "the farm school" is ranked and then see where "the flagship"school (guffaw) is ranked. The taxpayers of this state need to sue usc for the fraud its perpetrated on the general populace as well as its "alums" who, according to one SEC coach, include a bunch of "gas pump jockeys"......LMAO!!!!!
March 20, 2009 at 2:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ashleyriver (anonymous) says...
so robbybobby---I see the short bus has dropped you off at home again........btw, are you a member of the "GarNIT Army"???.....listening to a usc fan poke fun at Clemson athletics reminds reminds me of France laughing at the Germans.....the Germans may have lost the wars, but it sure as heck wasn't because of anything France did.....and the Germans always made short work of France anyhow.
also btw, its "one AND the same"...not "one in the same".....geez.
March 20, 2009 at 2:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
robbybobby (anonymous) says...
listening to clemzun fans spewing their nonsense about having a "championship" team is, well, like reading your posts. Yawwnnnn. And it isn't and, it's in, even for multi degreed wannabees like you. Try to focus Ash - it is over. Well actually, it never got started. Never has, never will. Tigger nation is a figment of the kool aid imagination. The Germans may have lost the wars??? Are you trippin' again???
March 20, 2009 at 7:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ashleyriver (anonymous) says...
Well, well, the truth behind the Ajiboye "indefinite suspension" is finally disclosed....arrested after being observed participating in a drug deal with another gamecock player driving the car.......unbelievable. And almost unbelievable how the incident was nearly hidden from public view....not sure who led the coverup but usc athletics is back in most glorious form.....
What a gigantic bunch of losers and criminals.
March 21, 2009 at midnight ( permalink | suggest removal )
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