01/15/08 - TEAM

When you take a look at this picture what word pops into your head? 

For me it is TEAM!  That is the word we have been stressing to our group as we start the ACC season.  It certainly took every single person on our team to win our first two out of three in the ACC and it will take that same effort every night from here on out.  When things do not go our way during the game it is easy to think about yourself and why that certain call went against you or why that shot did not fall?  What is difficult to do in that time of adversity is to think about your teammates and how you can help them.  I think we did that last Saturday winning the double overtime game by hitting big shot after big shot and getting stops on the defensive end with our team pressure.  Against NC State we played together and with passion which showed up in having twenty-one assists on twenty-seven made baskets.  That is team basketball and unselfish play. 

When the team is our overriding theme we see some fantastic individual performances emerge out of that.  We had multiple heroes last week but Trevor Booker really put together two excellent games scoring 61 pts and shooting 20-26 from the field.  He received a well-deserved award in being named ACC Player of the Week.  What is important is he put in the work in practice and that intensity and attention to detail is coming out in the games.  I expect him to keep up the hard work and stay consistent every day! 

Throughout the ACC Season we are going to have numerous games just like our FSU win Saturday night.  It is the toughest conference in the country and no game is going to be easy.  Winning at home is key throughout these next two months.  Our students have been tremendous and believe me the players and coaches notice it every night!  A big loud home crowd gives us that extra jolt we need during certain stretches throughout the game and creates a difficult atmosphere for the opponent. 

We want to see that same enthusiasm and energy in Littlejohn every night as these ACC games get bigger and bigger as we play towards March.  I will keep pushing our theme of TEAM and make sure that all fifteen players know that is what the Clemson Tigers are about!

Go Tigers!

-- Coach P