Early 'Scouting' of next opponent Clemson

[Chris]

Man, I need to get a life I guess. But I thought it would be interesting to take a look at our next opponent Clemson (December 17th). I plan on watching them play at #21 Purdue tonight on ESPN2 at 7:30, as you can tell much more about a team by actually watching them play. And I still have the Bearcat game from last night fresh in my mind :) They are 3-0 at home against terrible competition (yes, worse than the Bearcats so far).

- Beat Gardner Webb 86-55 @ Home
- Beat High Point 88-81 @ Home (The same High Point who lost 84-49 @ Michigan 2 days later)
- Beat Past Wofford, 84-77. But Clemson trailed 59-49 early in the second half. Wofford did not have one player with more than 10 rebounds but won the boards anyway, 47-44. 

Clemson-Wofford Game Recap
http://clemsontigers.ocsn.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/112903aaa.html

Clemson's upcoming schedule:

- Play @ #21 Purdue (who just beat Duke) at 7:30 tonight on ESPN2
- Play South Carolina at home on 12/6
- Play @ Georgia on 12/13
- Play East Tenn. St. at home on 12/15

Clemson will have played at Purdue and at Georgia before they come to Cincinnati, and they will have played 4 games over that time period compared to 0 for the Cats. I am not sure that they are that good since I think they have a freshman point guard who is adjusting, but tonight against Purdue could be interesting. I for one am very glad that the Cincy game is on our home court because there will no doubt be some rust for at least part of the first half, but the revenge factor from last year and home court should hopefully win out. 

It would be great to have Whaley back for the Clemson game, but the Dayton game is the first really scary game IMO before the road Marquette game on 1/14 (sucks that is are only shot at them until maybe the tourney). But we owe Dayton too, and again it is on our home court. Note: Miami (OH) plays at Dayton tonight at 8:00, so some of you local guys might even be able to take a peek at those two upcoming opponents also? 

It also sucks that our only MAJOR non-conference shot at a 'seeding scalp' is likelty to be a shot at Wake Forest on the road because I am confident that this year's team could beat ANYBODY in the country on our home floor, but hey let's just win them all anyway :)

Chris


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Ephesians 2:8 - "For it is by free grace that you are saved through faith. And this is not of yourselves, but it is the gift of God;"