By Bud L. Ellis
Outscored by 20 in fast-break points. Outscored by 15 points off turnovers. Outscored by 14 points in the paint.
No wonder the Clemson Tigers’ stay in the NCAA Tournament lasted just one game. Missouri stuffed the Tigers at every turn, bouncing Clemson from the first round of the NCAAs 86-78 in Buffalo, N.Y.
Clemson (21-11) was outscored 22-2 on fast breaks, 20-5 off turnovers and 42-28 in the paint. Missouri made Clemson’s life miserable, forcing 20 turnovers (including 15 steals).
Down 54-50 with 13:10 left, Missouri used a 15-5 run that broke the game open.
Demontez Stitt scored 21 points to lead the Tigers, while Andre Young added 19 and Jerai Grant scored 12.
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Thursday, March 25, 2010 at 4:11 am by bud
Tags: Andre Young, Atlantic Coast Conference, Clemson Tigers, Demontez Still, Jerai Grant, Missouri, NCAA Tournament
By Bud L. Ellis
Being off on the first day of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament has plenty of advantages.
Were the season to end today, the Clemson Tigers would be in fifth place. That would mean the Tigers would hit the floor at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 11 for the opening day of the tournament, instead of getting a bye into the quarterfinals.
Clemson still has time to make it into the top four, however. But it’s a tough four-game stretch the Tigers face to conclude the regular season.
Clemson plays three of its final four away from home, starting with a Wednesday contest at Maryland. The Tigers then travel to Florida State on Sunday to meet the Seminoles, with whom Clemson is tied with in the ACC standings.
After a home game March 2 against Georgia Tech, the Tigers wrap up the regular season March 7 at Wake Forest. Wake currently is in fourth, ½ game ahead of the Tigers.
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Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 5:44 am by bud
Tags: Atlantic Coast Conference, Clemson Tigers, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Greensboro Coliseum, Maryland, Wake Forest
By Bud L. Ellis
It wasn’t the stage he wanted to grace for the final act of his college career, but C.J. Spiller made do in Nashville on Sunday night.
The Clemson senior standout scored a touchdown and finished with 172 all-purpose yards to lead the Tigers past Kentucky 21-13 in the Music City Bowl in Nashville. It marked the first bowl victory for Clemson since the 2005 Champs Sports Bowl, and provided a fitting end for Spiller’s brilliant collegiate career.
Spiller, who scored four touchdowns in Clemson’s narrow loss to Georgia Tech in the ACC championship game, scored the 51st touchdown of his career with 10:14 to go, giving the Tigers a 21-13 advantage. He rushed for 68 yards and added 57 yards receiving, earning MVP honors for the game (to go along with earning the MVP nod for the ACC title contest).
Spiller’s touchdown came after Kavell Conner forced a fumble, which Jarvis Jenkins recovered at the Kentucky 19 to set up the score. Spiller became the first ACC player to rush for 1,000 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving.
Clemson sealed the victory by running out the final 5:27 of the game. The Tigers outgained the Wildcats 321-277.
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Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 9:35 pm by bud
Tags: C.J. Spiller, Champs Sports Bowl, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Jarvis Jenkins, Kavell Conner, Kentucky, Music City Bowl
