Gag reflex
posted by LW, Thursday, December 03, 2009
The Big Ten's first victory in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge will forever be distinguished by Clemson's nationally-televised display of its gag reflex last night against Illinois.
I'll admit my mind wandered after Clemson took a 20-point lead into halftime. I was on press row surfing the internet when the Illini began to cut into a 23-point deficit.
But before long, you began to cover your eyes as the lead was sliced to 10 ... to four ... to nothing.
We've seen this before, of course.
At home against Virginia three years ago. Against Villanova in the NCAA Tournament two years ago. At home against Florida State last year.
Now, this.
It's bad enough that Illinois posted the biggest comeback in school history.
But the ninth-largest comeback in Division I-A history? Wow.
You knew things were not going to end well after a 38-second sequence halfway through the second half.
D.J. Richardson is fouled by David Potter while shooting a 3. Makes the 3. Makes the free throw. An eight-point lead becomes a four-point lead.
Next trip down the court, Trevor Booker tips in a shot for the Illini while going for an offensive rebound.
When one of the best players in the ACC scores as many second-half baskets for the opposition (1) as for his team, you're going to have some problems.
Here are accounts of last night's meltdown in the Independent-Mail and Post and Courier.
Not a trace of a game story on the WWSE (Worst Web Site Ever). Basketball writer Scott Keepfer was there and wrote a story, but good luck finding it.
Gene Sapakoff writes about the challenges facing Milton Jennings.
"Milton is so naturally talented, especially offensively," said assistant coach Dr. Ron Bradley, in his seventh year at Clemson. "The learning curve for all of our freshmen is defense. We're pretty demanding in our defense. I think sometimes he's trying so hard on defense that he's not as focused on his offense as he needs to be.
"But he's going to be a great player for us."
Brett Jensen of WFNZ.com says call Dr. Heimlich.
How about all this bowl craziness? After it was widely reported that Virginia Tech and Tennessee are locks for the Chick-fil-A Bowl, the bowl's head honcho says that's not the case.
A Georgia-Clemson matchup in Atlanta is still in play if you listen to the Chick-fil-A folks.
Stewart Mandel says the Gator has clearance to select Florida State for its game, provided the Chick-fil-A takes Virginia Tech.
Uh, are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Hypothetically speaking, let's say Clemson loses Saturday. Let's say the Chick-fil-A is swayed by matching the Tigers and Bulldogs, thereby ruining the Gator's grand sendoff for Bobby Bowden.
Not saying it's going to happen. Not even saying it might happen, because at this point I don't get the feeling the Chick-fil-A is inclined to pass on the Hokies.
But what if?
Heather Dinich of ESPN.com says the Gator and the ACC are at odds in their interpretations of the conference's one-loss rule, and that's surprising to me because I was under the impression that the ACC office was in favor of a high-profile sendoff for Papa Bowden.
Garry Smits of the Florida Times-Union says the Gator is on firm legal footing to take the Seminoles -- unless the Chick-fil-A takes the Hokies.
Doug Roberson of the AJC says the title-game loser could fall all the way to the Music City Bowl.
J.P. Giglio of the Raleigh News & Observer comes to the same conclusion here.
What a mess.
Congrats to C.J. Spiller on winning ACC player of the year. What a privilege it's been to cover the guy.
What a shame that only 40 people voted. Twelve teams in the conference, and just 40 voters?
The Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association handles the voting, and I must admit I let my membership lapse this year. My mistake.
There has to be a way to get better participation from the folks who cover the conference.
Here's a nice piece on Spiller from ACC blogger Emily Price.
Mark Bradley guesses that South Carolina will soon be in the hunt for a new defensive coordinator after Georgia nabs Ellis Johnson.
We're guessing the Tigers know who Derrick Morgan is after the teams' last meeting.
Nice piece on Thomas Austin by Paul Strelow of The State.
Almost every Thursday night, as many as 25 teammates squeeze into the couple's two-bedroom duplex after practice for a tradition Austin began about two years ago.
Austin grills between 15 and 25 pounds of chicken or beef for fajitas, the centerpiece of an evening that includes video games and storytelling.... "Offensive linemen are always looking for free food," Austin said. "I always like to eat, so I figured if I cooked the food, I could eat more.
Always looking for free food? Sounds like a description of sportswriters.
LW
Click here for the "Eye On The Tigers" blog archive.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
The Big Ten's first victory in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge will forever be distinguished by Clemson's nationally-televised display of its gag reflex last night against Illinois.
I'll admit my mind wandered after Clemson took a 20-point lead into halftime. I was on press row surfing the internet when the Illini began to cut into a 23-point deficit.
But before long, you began to cover your eyes as the lead was sliced to 10 ... to four ... to nothing.
We've seen this before, of course.
At home against Virginia three years ago. Against Villanova in the NCAA Tournament two years ago. At home against Florida State last year.
Now, this.
It's bad enough that Illinois posted the biggest comeback in school history.
But the ninth-largest comeback in Division I-A history? Wow.
You knew things were not going to end well after a 38-second sequence halfway through the second half.
D.J. Richardson is fouled by David Potter while shooting a 3. Makes the 3. Makes the free throw. An eight-point lead becomes a four-point lead.
Next trip down the court, Trevor Booker tips in a shot for the Illini while going for an offensive rebound.
When one of the best players in the ACC scores as many second-half baskets for the opposition (1) as for his team, you're going to have some problems.
Here are accounts of last night's meltdown in the Independent-Mail and Post and Courier.
Not a trace of a game story on the WWSE (Worst Web Site Ever). Basketball writer Scott Keepfer was there and wrote a story, but good luck finding it.
Gene Sapakoff writes about the challenges facing Milton Jennings.
"Milton is so naturally talented, especially offensively," said assistant coach Dr. Ron Bradley, in his seventh year at Clemson. "The learning curve for all of our freshmen is defense. We're pretty demanding in our defense. I think sometimes he's trying so hard on defense that he's not as focused on his offense as he needs to be.
"But he's going to be a great player for us."
Brett Jensen of WFNZ.com says call Dr. Heimlich.
How about all this bowl craziness? After it was widely reported that Virginia Tech and Tennessee are locks for the Chick-fil-A Bowl, the bowl's head honcho says that's not the case.
A Georgia-Clemson matchup in Atlanta is still in play if you listen to the Chick-fil-A folks.
Stewart Mandel says the Gator has clearance to select Florida State for its game, provided the Chick-fil-A takes Virginia Tech.
Uh, are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Hypothetically speaking, let's say Clemson loses Saturday. Let's say the Chick-fil-A is swayed by matching the Tigers and Bulldogs, thereby ruining the Gator's grand sendoff for Bobby Bowden.
Not saying it's going to happen. Not even saying it might happen, because at this point I don't get the feeling the Chick-fil-A is inclined to pass on the Hokies.
But what if?
Heather Dinich of ESPN.com says the Gator and the ACC are at odds in their interpretations of the conference's one-loss rule, and that's surprising to me because I was under the impression that the ACC office was in favor of a high-profile sendoff for Papa Bowden.
Garry Smits of the Florida Times-Union says the Gator is on firm legal footing to take the Seminoles -- unless the Chick-fil-A takes the Hokies.
Doug Roberson of the AJC says the title-game loser could fall all the way to the Music City Bowl.
J.P. Giglio of the Raleigh News & Observer comes to the same conclusion here.
What a mess.
Congrats to C.J. Spiller on winning ACC player of the year. What a privilege it's been to cover the guy.
What a shame that only 40 people voted. Twelve teams in the conference, and just 40 voters?
The Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association handles the voting, and I must admit I let my membership lapse this year. My mistake.
There has to be a way to get better participation from the folks who cover the conference.
Here's a nice piece on Spiller from ACC blogger Emily Price.
Mark Bradley guesses that South Carolina will soon be in the hunt for a new defensive coordinator after Georgia nabs Ellis Johnson.
We're guessing the Tigers know who Derrick Morgan is after the teams' last meeting.
Nice piece on Thomas Austin by Paul Strelow of The State.
Almost every Thursday night, as many as 25 teammates squeeze into the couple's two-bedroom duplex after practice for a tradition Austin began about two years ago.
Austin grills between 15 and 25 pounds of chicken or beef for fajitas, the centerpiece of an evening that includes video games and storytelling.... "Offensive linemen are always looking for free food," Austin said. "I always like to eat, so I figured if I cooked the food, I could eat more.
Always looking for free food? Sounds like a description of sportswriters.
LW
Click here for the "Eye On The Tigers" blog archive.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
Donnie Patterson. Donnie Patterson is the founder of Patterson Tax Service, located in Easley, S.C. He has been active in tax preparation since 1970, and offers a full range of tax and bookkeeping services.
Larry Williams. Larry has covered the daily beat at Clemson since 2004. Williams, who worked for the Charleston Post & Courier from 2004-08, joined Tigerillustrated.com in November of 2008. He may be reached by email at ldubya08(at)gmail.com. Replace (at) with @.