North Carolina got back into the ACC race Wednesday by edging Clemson in Chapel Hill. Clemson falls to 16-2 and 2-2 in the ACC.
Terrance Oglesby led the Tigers with 22 points.
Clemson attempts to get back on track on Sunday by hosting Georgia Tech.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Deacs down Tigers
Much as I feared the Tigers bench didn't contribute much against Wake in a 78-68 loss. The same bench that was lauded in earlier victories struggled to contribute against a top team. Jerai Grant went 1-8 from the field and scored 4 points in 15 minutes (though he did have 9 rebounds). Tanner Smith and Andre Young both went scoreless in a combined 24 minutes of action.
The Tigers also shot only 33.8% from the field, including 5 for 23 (21.7%) from 3 point range, not to mention another bad (55%) night from the free throw line. Add it all up and the Tigers were lucky to lose by 10.
It doesn't get any easier with a trip to UNC looming.
The Tigers also shot only 33.8% from the field, including 5 for 23 (21.7%) from 3 point range, not to mention another bad (55%) night from the free throw line. Add it all up and the Tigers were lucky to lose by 10.
It doesn't get any easier with a trip to UNC looming.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
7th graders are now prospects
No wonder they're called diaper dandies. The NCAA has changed the definition of a prospect for men's basketball to include 7th graders and above for men's basketball. Are you listening Billy Gillespie?
The return of C.J. Spiller
C.J. Spiller decided (against mamma's wishes) to return for his Senior season.
Wake Forest thoughts
This is going to be a tough match up for Clemson. Wake is big and tall in the front court and very athletic in the back court. Those top recruiting classes are finally paying off at Wake. My guess is that the Tigers have a hard time rebounding and scoring inside and will have to rely on the 3 and the press to have a chance.
Here's an article about Wake that mentions that the Wake coach keeps the defensive efficiency ratings by Ken Pomeroy taped to the locker room wall as a reminder. These ratings obviously mean something to someone other than stat geeks.
Here's an article about Wake that mentions that the Wake coach keeps the defensive efficiency ratings by Ken Pomeroy taped to the locker room wall as a reminder. These ratings obviously mean something to someone other than stat geeks.
Early signing day in college football
There appears to be some steam behind this idea this go round. I don't necessarily think it's a bad idea, but as the writer points out, not a cure all.
On a side note, once again South Carolina finds itself in the middle of a mess with a recruit and has been banned from the high school. Once again, Spurrier is not held accountable for anything - it's all Ron Cooper's fault.
I'm not saying Cooper isn't at fault, but if the guy shouldn't have been offered a scholarship, but did so anyway, isn't it up to the head coach to rectify that situation as soon as possible, not over a month later?
On a side note, once again South Carolina finds itself in the middle of a mess with a recruit and has been banned from the high school. Once again, Spurrier is not held accountable for anything - it's all Ron Cooper's fault.
I'm not saying Cooper isn't at fault, but if the guy shouldn't have been offered a scholarship, but did so anyway, isn't it up to the head coach to rectify that situation as soon as possible, not over a month later?
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Defensive efficiency
By now both of my loyal readers know that I am a believer in a defense first philosophy, no matter the sport. With Florida's win over Oklahoma Thursday, 8 of the last 9 national champions in football have had top 10 defenses statistically speaking. Let that settle in for a moment. The old saying "Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships" was never more relevant than it is today. Defense wins, not the fancy offenses of the Big 12 for example, which sputtered through the bowl season.
We can look to other sports to find the same principle. Just like in football, defense wins championships in basketball and baseball (more to come on this, too), not offense.
Ken Pomeroy has a ton of statistical information on his web site, for those that like the "statistical" aspect of sports. One stat that has caught my attention is one called "Defensive Efficiency". Fact is that no college basketball team has made the final four in the last five years without being in the top 25 in this category. None. Zero. Zip. Zilch.
What does this mean for my beloved Tigers who are sitting at #27 after yesterday's defensive struggle with N.C. State? Not a lot at this point. But as the season wears on and works towards a conclusion, you can get an idea of how far a team will (or won't) advance in the tourney by keeping an eye on this number, moreso than the RPI.
What it tells me at a glance right now though is that teams like Oklahoma (45), Marquette (48) and Michigan State (52) have some work to do.
The most interesting case at this moment is Notre Dame. The Irish are sitting at #13 in the polls and have an RPI of 61. Their Defensive Efficiency rating of 166 tells us their ranking and, to a lesser extent their RPI rankings, are inflated, atleast at this point.
We can look to other sports to find the same principle. Just like in football, defense wins championships in basketball and baseball (more to come on this, too), not offense.
Ken Pomeroy has a ton of statistical information on his web site, for those that like the "statistical" aspect of sports. One stat that has caught my attention is one called "Defensive Efficiency". Fact is that no college basketball team has made the final four in the last five years without being in the top 25 in this category. None. Zero. Zip. Zilch.
What does this mean for my beloved Tigers who are sitting at #27 after yesterday's defensive struggle with N.C. State? Not a lot at this point. But as the season wears on and works towards a conclusion, you can get an idea of how far a team will (or won't) advance in the tourney by keeping an eye on this number, moreso than the RPI.
What it tells me at a glance right now though is that teams like Oklahoma (45), Marquette (48) and Michigan State (52) have some work to do.
The most interesting case at this moment is Notre Dame. The Irish are sitting at #13 in the polls and have an RPI of 61. Their Defensive Efficiency rating of 166 tells us their ranking and, to a lesser extent their RPI rankings, are inflated, atleast at this point.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
