Giving proper props
posted by LW, Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Thanks to the consumption with yesterday's spring football practice, the news involving Trevor Booker was relegated to a relative footnote.
And that shouldn't happen when a player from Clemson earns first-team All-ACC honors in basketball.
After Booker's ugly night at Wake Forest on Sunday, I was skeptical that enough voters would put Booker on their first team. But he ended up getting the fourth-most votes ahead of a Dookie (Kyle Singler).
Now that's stop-the-presses stuff.
Booker is deserving of this honor because he does so much for his team. Does he take some plays off here and there? Seems like it. But you'd get frustrated too if you were constantly getting double- and triple-teamed in the post.
(I tend to get frustrated with single-teams, but that's another matter.)
Just to give you an idea of how rare the first-team distinction is at Clemson: From 1991 to 2009, a total of 95 spots were available on the first team.
Clemson players filled three of those spots: Terrell McIntyre in 1998, Wil Solomon in 2000, and Ed Scott in 2003.
Three players in 19 seasons. Three players since Elden Campbell and Dale Davis landed on the first team in 1990.
Clemson hasn't exactly been a basketball factory over the years. But some good players came through here without earning first-team honors. Sharone Wright (second team in 1994). Devin Gray (third team in 1994). Greg Buckner (second team in 1997 and 1998). K.C. Rivers (second team, 2008). Booker (second team, 2009).
Booker's inclusion on this year's team gives Clemson 10 first-teamers all-time, pushing the Tigers past South Carolina -- whose last season in the ACC was 1971.
Ouch.
Gotta admit I was a little surprised to see the ACC's all-defensive team:
Chris Singleton, Florida State (48)
Solomon Alabi, Florida State (39)
Trevor Booker, Clemson (21)
Lance Thomas, Duke (17)
L.D. Williams, Wake Forest (16)
No Jerai Grant? Fouls a lot, but is a helluva shot-blocker.
In The Post and Courier, Travis Sawchik gives his nomination for coach of the year (Gary Williams) and player of the year (Greivis Vasquez).
Agree on both counts.
Travis also makes a good point about this sham of an idea involving a 96-team NCAA field:
ESPN's Joe Lunardi said North Carolina would get an at-large berth under that format. Forget about rewarding mediocrity, that's rewarding ineptitude.
In The ACC Sports Journal, Barry Jacobs presents his argument against expanding the tournament field.
Here's another reason expanding the field would be bad: November and December scheduling would go from bad to downright atrocious, giving us almost zero reason to watch basketball during that stretch.
What in the world would compel coaches to play strong non-conference competition if they were virtually guaranteed a spot in the NCAA field?
And the coaches, who are the principal drivers of this expansion thing, might need to think again if they think a 96-team field will improve their job security.
Don't make the field, and it'll be see-ya.
The venerable George Vecsey says expanding the field is pure March madness.
The Tigers' basketball team seems OK with Thursday's late tip in Greensboro.
If the Tigers win, they’ll have another late-night tip-off on Friday, too.
“I like the late games – more sleep,” Clemson’s Trevor Booker said.
Newspaper writers would vehemently disagree. But I'm not sure they want to argue with Mr. Booker.
Clemson's trustees approve the raises for Clemson's football coaches. No surprise there. Can you imagine the reaction had they vetoed them?
Tight end Dwayne Allen says he's ready to be the man after the departure of Michael Palmer.
He'd better be, because there ain't a whole lot behind him.
Did see Drew Traylor making some catches yesterday.
No surprises on the Tigers' depth chart, though there were some tweaks on defense.
Defensively there were a couple of tweaks. Brandon Maye, who started 13 games at middle linebacker, and Corico Hawkins were listed as co-starters at both middle linebacker and wide side linebacker. Hawkins was impressive in the bowl game. Scotty Cooper was listed as the starter at strong side linebacker.
Stories on Tajh Boyd in the Post and Courier and Independent-Mail.
Duke says it's tired of receiving questions about being tired.
Well, until the Devils actually advance past the Round of 16 for the first time since 2004, the questions will persist.
How about this: Virginia's Sylven Landesberg is done for the year because of academic transgressions, and this story says it's because he never attended a class ... in art.
And we'll close on a solemn note: North Carolina fails to place a player on the three All-ACC teams for the first time since ... ever.
I'm sure you folks are broken up about it.
LW
Click here for the "Eye On The Tigers" blog archive.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
Thanks to the consumption with yesterday's spring football practice, the news involving Trevor Booker was relegated to a relative footnote.
And that shouldn't happen when a player from Clemson earns first-team All-ACC honors in basketball.
After Booker's ugly night at Wake Forest on Sunday, I was skeptical that enough voters would put Booker on their first team. But he ended up getting the fourth-most votes ahead of a Dookie (Kyle Singler).
Now that's stop-the-presses stuff.
Booker is deserving of this honor because he does so much for his team. Does he take some plays off here and there? Seems like it. But you'd get frustrated too if you were constantly getting double- and triple-teamed in the post.
(I tend to get frustrated with single-teams, but that's another matter.)
Just to give you an idea of how rare the first-team distinction is at Clemson: From 1991 to 2009, a total of 95 spots were available on the first team.
Clemson players filled three of those spots: Terrell McIntyre in 1998, Wil Solomon in 2000, and Ed Scott in 2003.
Three players in 19 seasons. Three players since Elden Campbell and Dale Davis landed on the first team in 1990.
Clemson hasn't exactly been a basketball factory over the years. But some good players came through here without earning first-team honors. Sharone Wright (second team in 1994). Devin Gray (third team in 1994). Greg Buckner (second team in 1997 and 1998). K.C. Rivers (second team, 2008). Booker (second team, 2009).
Booker's inclusion on this year's team gives Clemson 10 first-teamers all-time, pushing the Tigers past South Carolina -- whose last season in the ACC was 1971.
Ouch.
Gotta admit I was a little surprised to see the ACC's all-defensive team:
Chris Singleton, Florida State (48)
Solomon Alabi, Florida State (39)
Trevor Booker, Clemson (21)
Lance Thomas, Duke (17)
L.D. Williams, Wake Forest (16)
No Jerai Grant? Fouls a lot, but is a helluva shot-blocker.
In The Post and Courier, Travis Sawchik gives his nomination for coach of the year (Gary Williams) and player of the year (Greivis Vasquez).
Agree on both counts.
Travis also makes a good point about this sham of an idea involving a 96-team NCAA field:
ESPN's Joe Lunardi said North Carolina would get an at-large berth under that format. Forget about rewarding mediocrity, that's rewarding ineptitude.
In The ACC Sports Journal, Barry Jacobs presents his argument against expanding the tournament field.
Here's another reason expanding the field would be bad: November and December scheduling would go from bad to downright atrocious, giving us almost zero reason to watch basketball during that stretch.
What in the world would compel coaches to play strong non-conference competition if they were virtually guaranteed a spot in the NCAA field?
And the coaches, who are the principal drivers of this expansion thing, might need to think again if they think a 96-team field will improve their job security.
Don't make the field, and it'll be see-ya.
The venerable George Vecsey says expanding the field is pure March madness.
The Tigers' basketball team seems OK with Thursday's late tip in Greensboro.
If the Tigers win, they’ll have another late-night tip-off on Friday, too.
“I like the late games – more sleep,” Clemson’s Trevor Booker said.
Newspaper writers would vehemently disagree. But I'm not sure they want to argue with Mr. Booker.
Clemson's trustees approve the raises for Clemson's football coaches. No surprise there. Can you imagine the reaction had they vetoed them?
Tight end Dwayne Allen says he's ready to be the man after the departure of Michael Palmer.
He'd better be, because there ain't a whole lot behind him.
Did see Drew Traylor making some catches yesterday.
No surprises on the Tigers' depth chart, though there were some tweaks on defense.
Defensively there were a couple of tweaks. Brandon Maye, who started 13 games at middle linebacker, and Corico Hawkins were listed as co-starters at both middle linebacker and wide side linebacker. Hawkins was impressive in the bowl game. Scotty Cooper was listed as the starter at strong side linebacker.
Stories on Tajh Boyd in the Post and Courier and Independent-Mail.
Duke says it's tired of receiving questions about being tired.
Well, until the Devils actually advance past the Round of 16 for the first time since 2004, the questions will persist.
How about this: Virginia's Sylven Landesberg is done for the year because of academic transgressions, and this story says it's because he never attended a class ... in art.
And we'll close on a solemn note: North Carolina fails to place a player on the three All-ACC teams for the first time since ... ever.
I'm sure you folks are broken up about it.
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 @.