From: grimlok@hubcap.clemson.edu (Mike Percy)
Subject: Clemson-USA Verich exhib. (CU 104, Verich 81), some thoughts
Organization: Clemson University
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 19:21:01 GMT

I wanted to get box scores to make sure I was remembering things right,
but I can't seem to locate one (paperboy failed me on Saturday -- no
xmas tip for him!).

USA-Verich came to Littlejohn Friday night for Clemson's first
exhibition action of the year.  The Verich team had beaten NC State
Wednesday night, played at Temple on Thursday, and were probably pretty
tired by Firday night, which helps explain the 104-81 score.

Wayne Buckingham C/F, Bruce Martin G, and Andre Bovain G served a suspension
(Bovain faces 4 more suspended games, and two other players (?) face one
game suspensions in the next exhibition game) for ticket misuse so
didn't play.  Some confusion about the roster, as there were some
players on the court not on the roster, and vice-versa.  I may have
missed some recruits or walk-ons announcement.

Sharone Wright, the sophomore center demonstrated improvement,
particularly in his strength and moves to the basket.  Last year he
often got stripped during his move, but Friday he played with authority.
The basketball team once again shows the benefit of the strength
training Coach Ellis puts them through.  Sharone should be a standout in
the conference from now on, especially if he can get his free throw
shooting above 50%.  Trails Montross, but is probably better than Parks
overall. 

Chris Whitney, senior (JUCO) point guard, is playing as well as or better than
last year.  The main gain in Whitney's game is that the people around
him have improved to the point where Clemson doesn't have to run a
slow-tempo game anymore.  Some Nolan Ryan fastballs ended with slam-dunk
assists, and his three point shooting remains steady in the 3-5 range.
Not playing better than Hurley, but should be the #2 or #3 (after Best)
point in the league.

Devin Grey, power forward, also seems to have gotten stronger (if that
was possible).  A true athlete whose disregard for his own safety works
to his advantage until he fouls out, seems to have retained the abandon
while avoiding the fouls.  Streaky shooting hurts, but with his strength
he gets a lot of slam attempts (too strong sometimes -- sending the ball
off the back of the hoop into the stands).  Pleasure to watch.

Also saw continuing improvement in the senior (JUCO) forwards Kevin
Hines and Corey Wallace.  Count Hines' head-fakes for fun.  The two are
interchangeable and produce about 10 points each.

A new face in freshman center (Frank Temara, something like that), 6'
10" but a stick.  He gives the gangly, awkward appearance common in 6-10
white guys.  He spent a lot of time setting picks when the game plan
called for going at it from outside.  Also is now 1-1 from 3 point range.
Cliff will have to beef him up in the weight room and work on his inside
game.

JUCO transfer shooting guard (Eric Burns?) proved to be a much needed
addition.  Three-point shooting like his, combined with Whitney and
3-point specialist-with-a-bad-knee-last-year Bruce Martin (12-13 in
scrimmage) will open up the paint for the power front of Wright,
Buckingham, and Grey.

The rest of the eligible bench played, but nothing stands out in my
mind.

Three things were apparent, but since it was exhibition, they're not
likely to hold over the course of the season:

1. Vastly improved free throw shooting.  Wish I had the numbers, but
while sitting at the game, I just kept thinking how few FTs were missed.
Maybe as high as 80%, but Wright shot more like 50%.  This is a _key_
change.  CU lost many games last year by < 5 while shooting like 53%
from the line.  Any small improvement at the line could pay of in won
games.

2. The transition game last year was this: there was none.  With faster,
stronger, more confident players, the Tiger's have a transition game
which will focus on Whitney's ability to thread bullets into the man in
the paint while the defense is still running to positions.  Scrappy
defensive players like Burns and Grey gave a few fast break points as
well.

3. Three point shooting was way up, with nearly everyone on the team
able to contribute.  Whitney, Burns and Martin should lead this, but
Grey and Wallace have the green light when they get the open shot.
Wright won a three point contest at McDonalds camp, and Tomera shot 1-1
in the exhibition, but Ellis didn't seem pleased.

These things could spell victory if they can keep it up.  ACC fans have
likely forgotten that Clemson lost to FSU, UVA, and WFU, and Duke by 3
or less points at least once each last year. We return everyone from
that team (except those who've since quite - Steve Harris being the most
notable).  We'll have Wayne Buckingham back, and look for a very
powerful front at times with Wright, Buckingham and Grey combined with
the shooting of Whitney and Burns.  A more usual roster will likely be
Whitney, Burns, Grey, Hines, and Wright with rotations of
Buckingham/Wright, Wallace/Hines, and Burns/Martin or Hines/Grey.  A
small lineup would combine Wright and Grey with Whitney, Burns, and
Martin.

Overall, the Tiger's will be much, much more competetive in a somewhat
weakened ACC this year.  A 4-12 season would be a dissappointment, a
6-10 season is quite possible, and 8-8 wouldn't be out of the question.
I won't predict anything except to say that when conference games start,
if we haven't any injuries, don't be _too_ surpised when the TV guy
announces Clemson wins over conference foes.
 
(In return, I won't be surprised if Tobacco road still finds a way to
pick us apart.)

Mike Percy             | grimlok@hubcap.clemson.edu  | I don't know about
Sr. Systems Analyst    | mspercy@clemson.clemson.edu | your brain, but mine
Info. Sys. Development | mspercy@clemson.BITNET      | is really...bossy.
Clemson University     | (803) 656-3780              | (Laurie Anderson)