Previewing Clemson

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2009 Schedule / 2009 Stats
2009 Roster

Clemson Offense 07-08

Four Factors	Percent	Nat'l Rank
eFG%	51.9	90
Turnover Rate	19.8	101
Off Reb Rate	39.4	9
FTM/FGA	19.1	325

Clemson Offense 08-09

Four Factors	Percent	Nat'l Rank
eFG%	55.4	15
Turnover Rate	19.8	109
Off Reb Rate	39.9	26
FTM/FGA	23.0	213

Clemson's offense hasn't had a problem moving on without Cliff Hammonds and James Mays. Hammonds was an efficient scorer but the Tigers didn't lean on him for a lot of production (he took a modest 17.5% of the shots). Mays, meanwhile, was a valuable contributor at the defensive end but shot poorly and turned the ball over a lot at the offensive end; his offensive contributions are easily replaced and surpassed by Trevor Booker, who is now the go-to guy in the post.

               2008
Forwards*  %Min   %Shots   2FG%
Mays       56.9    20.8    50.0
Booker     65.2    19.1    56.8
Potter     38.7    17.5    46.1
Sykes      35.5    15.1    57.3

               2009
Forwards*  %Min   %Shots   2FG%
Booker     70.4    22.7    59.2
Sykes      54.8    19.2    60.0
Potter     47.9    15.1    44.4
Grant      35.5    12.5    81.6

(*Minimum 30% minutes played.)

A more efficient allocation of two-point attempts to the forwards who do the best job making them has helped the Tigers improve their 2FG% from 49.7% in '08 to 55.1% this season, but their weak schedule is partially responsible as well.

Starters:

Demontez Stitt (6-2, 175) -- Not a lot went right for Stitt as a freshman last year--he turned the ball over often while combining poor shooting with too-frequent shooting. But he did a good job getting himself to the line, where he shot better than 76%. Looking at that FT%, if was a fair bet his outside shooting would come around, and it has (slightly). (Though his FT% is under 66% so far; maybe he doesn't have any touch after all.)

In 2009, Stitt is taking a much more appropriate 15% of the shots, down from 19.5%, and his efficiency has gone up with the decrease in workload. He continues to maintain an excellent FT rate--in fact, his is the highest among the starting five--but turnovers remain a problem.

Terrence Oglesby (6-2, 190) -- In 1+ seasons, Oglesby is averaging 12.4 3FGA/40min while hitting 40.8% of them. Scary outside shooter man. DO NOT WANT.

KC Rivers (6-5, 215) -- It's astounding how well he takes care of the ball year after year:

Rivers  TO% (Rk)
2007   11.6 (40)
2008    9.9 (17)
2009    8.1 (12)

How's he do that?

Trevor Booker (6-7, 240) -- Booker always seemed like a guy who could handle an above-average workload, and he's proving it this season. His TO% is down and his FT% up, two improvements he may not be able to maintain going forward. But he's always been a high-percentage scorer in the post, a good rebounder at both ends, and a great shot-blocker.

Raymond Sykes (6-9, 220) -- Best used in small doses since he turns the ball over a lot and is just not a skilled offensive player in general.

Bench:

Jerai Grant (6-8, 220), David Potter (6-6, 205), Andre Young (5-9, 160), and Tanner Smith (6-5, 205) should all see time. None of them are likely to make anything but occasional contributions at the offensive end.

[Update: Quick addendum:

        FGA/40
Young   11.6
Smith    9.0

Occasional is definitely not the right word to describe their contributions. Thanks for the correction, Tigers fans.]

But enough of that; there's anagrams to get to. Clemson might be the most anagramically awesome team in the ACC. For example:

Terrence Oglesby: Beer Gone, Let's Cry.

Demontez Stitt: Ditz To Test Men. Every Friday night, man.

Raymond Sykes: Yaks Syndrome. (Pray your cat does not get this.)

Andre Young: Ray Dungeon. When I think of Ray Dungeon, I think of a cross between Indiana Jones and Max Power. Dynamic, isn't it? Unassuming college student by day, swashbucklin', treasure-huntin', power-couplin' hero by night. If Andre Young doesn't use this alias when he checks into hotels, I'll be very disappointed.

Karolis Petrukonis: A Porkier Slut Oinks. I mean, this anagram right here...I'm awed.

Clemson Defense 07-08

Four Factors	Percent	Nat'l Rank
eFG%	48.1	84
Turnover Rate	24.3	27
Off Reb Rate	35.5	276
FTA/FGA	33.8	116

Clemson Defense 08-09

Four Factors	Percent	Nat'l Rank
eFG%	45.5	65
Turnover Rate	25.8	19
Off Reb Rate	36.7	267
FTA/FGA	28.2	40

In our first game against Clemson last year, we turned the ball over almost 37% of the time; in the second meeting, about 24%. Is there any reason to expect us to avoid death by turnover margin this time around? Alas, no.

Pomeroy Predictor likes the Tigers by 14.