Posted by Willy Mac

Baseball

• The Greenville News put out a filler piece on this weekend’s upcoming series against Miami, as did The State.
• The implications of this series are huge.  No. 5 Miami (10-5 ACC, 24-8) is at the top of the Coastal division.  No. 20 Clemson (9-6 ACC, 21-11) is at the top of the Atlantic division.  Given Miami’s history of greatness in baseball, this will be no easy task even if it is a home series.
• You can check out Miami’s AD preview of the game here. The Sunday noon game will be televised on CSS.  All three games will be radio broadcast by WCCP as always.
• ***UPDATE*** – Here is the CUAD preview of the series.  Link.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday, April 10th, 6:30 P.M.
Probable Starters: Miami – LHP Chris Hernandez (3-2, 5.80 ERA) vs. Clemson – LHP Casey Harman (3-2, 3.82 ERA)
Saturday, April 11th, 6:30 P.M.
Probable Starters: Miami – RHP David Gutierrez (2-3, 2.48 ERA) vs. Clemson – LHP Chris Dwyer (3-2, 5.21 ERA)
Sunday, April 12th, Noon
Probable Starters: Miami – LHP Iden Nazario (4-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. Clemson – TBA

Assorted Links Surplus Sale

• Heather Dinich harps on the fact that the ACC continues to be a tough defensive conference year in and year out.  She claims that Clemson has and more than likely will continue to be a big part of that eqaution.
• Jacoby Ford made the front page of the ACC’s official website as they are congratulating all their spring semester champions.
• The CUAD has released their version of this weekend’s schedule.
• The Block-C tailgate is official.  Check the thread here on the battle plan.
• ***UPDATE*** – Here is a pdf version of the roster from the CUAD via the Greenville News that was floated along to me.  Link.
• ***UPDATE*** – Here is the complete spring football guide for this year via the CUAD website.  Link.

Posted by Willy Mac

On the one hand, our golf team came back from a 13 stroke deficit to win the United States Heavyweight Championship Belt Collegiate.  I know absolutely nothing about golf except for the fact that we won the national championship in it in 2003 and some kid from my high school played on the team for a bit.

On the other hand, our baseball team blew yet another ninth inning lead and lost to the Gamecocks in Columbia last night. That makes about six or seven this year.  Again, I don’t know why I switch the dial to WCCP sometimes, but I do.  And I did this morning and there’s all sorts of callers and people that are blaming this one and the “doomed season” on Jack Leggett. I can’t believe that they actually let idiots (both hosts and callers) on the air.

First and foremost, this is by no means a bad season given the young roster we have.  Collegiate baseball is a far different game than that of the major leagues where homeruns and big hitters pull a team through every game.  It’s also a place where there are “Kenny-Powers-at-the-top-of-his-game”-esque pitchers striking dudes out every single at bat.  College baseball is a more strategic game in which the scores are going to be high and the games will be won with small ball and smart base running.

Our only problems right now are inexperience, youth, and the lack of a closer that we thought we could trust in Matt Vaughn.  Maybe we still can, but he hasn’t looked that great and nobody is really emerging.  You have to remember that we lost some damn good recruiters who stepped up to better positions at other schools.  We also got our talent base wiped out around the same time, so we’ve been in rebuilding mode.   I’m sick and tired of people blaming coaches that don’t deserve the heat (Tommy deserved it, Jack doesn’t).  Jack Leggett is one of the better baseball minds in the country in terms of college coaches right now.  I’m not trying to make excuses, but getting back to where we were is going to take a year or two and a few things to go our way.

I don’t know where I was going with that, but leave Jack alone DAMMIT!!!  IT’S STILL REAL TO ME!!!  We’ve got USC at home tonight starting at 7pm.

Posted by Willy Mac

Click on the picture for a larger image

Posted by Willy Mac

Updated news

• Congrats to the Lady Tigers roundball squad as they’ve upset Georgia Tech in the first round of the ACC Tournament.  Very impressive.  Links and details forthcoming so stay tuned.

Let’s start with some baseball

• Yesterday we beat up on UNC Asheville, 17-2.  Looks like I might be on to something with my “Cold weather chaos theory, seeing as we lost to Furman on Tuesday by a score of 4-2.  Maybe just a little something to keep your eye on.
• Stan Widmann, one of my favorite Tiger baseballers and more importantly for me, one of the best math study group partners I’ve had, has decided to call it quits after multiple serious injuries.  Life isn’t fair, but I’m sure where ever he lands he will do just fine.  Good luck to you Stan and may you find your feet taking you in the right direction in life.
• We start our ACC schedule tomorrow at 3PM with the juggernaut that is UNC.  Woof.  Great.  One hell of a way to start out the conference schedule.  This series could have a serious blow to our swagger if we lose bad.

Basketball

• Trevor Booker will definitely be the focus of the ACC next year.  This article is for ESPN Insiders, but you don’t need to read any further than the hook.

Interesting little quote:

Earlier this season, The Charlotte Observer asked a number of ACC players which conference opponent they would choose first if they were selecting a team. Reigning National POY Tyler Hansbrough topped the list, of course. But the second-most-wanted baller was quite the surprise.

• The State is always the first to take a jab at Clemson as they did with K.C. Rivers on this one.  I’m surprised they didn’t include phrases like “Taters” and “Clempscum” in article.  I wonder if they have a “Villifying Clemson 101″ in their Journalism curriculum.  Fucking idiot goons. I’m sure that most of the writers on that staff don’t just troll FGF, they’re probably all in the “Fanboy” category.
• This is quite possibly the worst article I’ve seen on our woodshedding of Virginia.  It’s filled to the brim with hacky journalism.  I’d make myself vomit here, but I’m already pretty sick.
• Granted this came the day of the Virginia game, it points out what’s really been killing us lately: Ball Control.

Football talk spearheaded by little miss Heather Dinich

• Dinich talks about how interesting it will be to see our new offense unfold under Napier.  Hey, it could be worse: Boston College’s new OC is named Gary Tranquill.  Seriously Heather, can we get a segment going for next season?
• JACOBY FORD IS THE FASTEST FUCKING MAN EVAR!!!1!11!!111!100!!!!!11!!!
• Being a footnote sucks.  Hey, at least a good ol’ boy like Pelini is getting put over by it.
• Okay, seriously Dabo.  This shit is getting way out of hand(Rivals subscription needed).  I realize you have an ass-ton of free time now, but seriously go to bed.  Get some rest.  You’re going to need it when those same “Tiger Faithful” start nailing you to a cross next year.  I can’t tell if he’s gotten way to wrapped up in this or if he needs the money.  Either way, these folks are cashing in on rabid fans. Here’s the website. (Thanks to Jon A for the first link, ichaseferalcats for the second link.)

Assorted Links

• Clemson’s very own Ben Martin has been named ACC Golfer of the Month.  Way to go, Ben.
• Come on, give Life On Mars a second chance. Since it’s come back on TV after the winter break, it’s gotten back on track with it’s story lines and is as good as it was when it premiered.

Posted by Willy Mac

First is Basketball

Rather make you work for them and bore you I’m just going to give you the links straight up:

• Clemson “Rights the Ship” according to the P&C.
• The CUAD’s press release on the game.
• A pretty good photo gallery by the CUAD.

Simply put, don’t worry.  We’ll be fine.  When it comes time to perform, Oliver will have the players ready to go and all you need to do is sit back, watch the game, and cheer.

Baseball is next…

• We lost to Furman in 14.  Sometimes in life, you drop one.
• We play UNC Asheville today at 4PM.  I’m not even going to ask you to go sit in that cold.

Charlie mentioned in the basketball preview post that, “Hopefully our bats will warm up with the weather, that’s what usually happens.“  Not necessarily.  Any hot weather sport that’s played in the cold months can give way to the unexpected, general chaos, and confusion.  Specifically games like baseball that rely a lot on strategy.  The weather is hard on pitchers to get (and then stay) warm and find a rhythm, especially given the cold, experience, and time off.

Assorted Links

• The Athletic Department has designated their homegames.
• See what you’re missing on the forums: What are your favorite albums?; Are they athletes? Is it a sport?; 10 Athletes you’d want to drink with; Talk about B-Dawk and the Broncs; Bryce Brown’s handler; Oh yeah, and uh, the Babes Forum, of course.
• Check out Buddy Guy and Freddie King.