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I didn't see it. I didn't hear it. But clearly tonight's performance was one of the most dominating of the season, as Hewitt's gang took down the mighty Winston-Salem State Rams by 51 points................. yes 51 points.
LEWIS CLINCH..... MIA
In quite an amazing turn of events the past few games, Lewis Clinch has gone from one of the most efficient offensive players IN THE NATION, to bench warmer. Clinch played 5 minutes tonight, scoring no points. As he continues to mull around in Hewitt's doghouse, other players are stepping up and answering the defensive bell - most notably Mouhammad Faye.................. Will Clinch "get it"? Will he be able to work himself back in the rotation? It's a serious concern, because it's clear that this team can score without him....................... and if the team doesn't need him to score and he's not a defensive presence............ well......... what do they need him for?........................ Truthfully, the team absolutely needs him. They NEED his offense. They just don't need him to be a liability on defense. This is quite an interesting storyline to follow as ACC play begins now. Scoring will be tougher to come by and the days of scoring over 90 are almost over (well until the Tarheels come to town)........................ Lewis - we need you in the rotation.. D up dude........ D up........
Now, having said all that, I don't buy this argument that his defensive liability is the only reason he's not playing. If that's the case then why does he only get into a game tonight at the very end, for 5 minutes, when it's a 51 point blowout? Why didn't he get small chances during the game to "prove" himself on defense? Did he just continue to practice poorly and Hewitt said - forget it? I don't buy it. There's something going on behing the scenes that they don't want fans to know about. I'm fine with that, but the poor defense arguement is too shaky for me right now.
MUHA - TAKING ADVANTAGE
As mentioned - the guy really taking advantage of Clinch's shortfalls is M.Faye. Faye started tonight for the 2nd game, and ended with 10 pts (4-9, 1-3 3pt), 9 rebounds (3 off), 5 assists, 1 steals, and ZERO TURNOVERS. Folks, that is a nice stat-line any way you cut it................. and for all this - what has got him the minutes is his defense. The healing wrist has led to more confidence on the offensive end, but he's really developed a niche on this team as a "glue guy" who does a lot of things well. Sounds like an Anthony McHenry type guy (with a better jump shot)..................... and those long long long arms. Man, it's tough if he's guarding you....................
From Coach Hewitt
"He very skilled with quick feet and long arms, so gets a lot of deflections. The injury certainly set him back. Now, he's in good shape and the wrist is healthy again, so hopefully he'll continue progress. You can see that he's a very versatile player - five assists and no turnovers tonight. He's very active defensively. He just brings an awful lot to the floor. He's starting to get a clear understanding of what I need from him. Like most young players, he felt like if he scored points, then I'd leave him on the floor, so he'd come in and rush up some shots to try to make a statement. As I've told these guys all year, points are not what I'm worried about with this team. I think this team is capable of scoring. What I'm worried about is playing good defense every possession. As I told them in the locker room, from this point forward, every game is going to be a one possession game. You don't know which possession is going to make the difference. In the ACC, most games are decided by five points or fewer. Mouhammed is starting to understand what we need from him, so he's doing a better job.
MARIO WEST TWEAKS HIS BACK
Mario "tweaked" his back (as Coach Hewitt put it), and Coach decided he was too valuable to keep in the rest of the game - so he only played 12 mintues. However, he made good use of those minutes, scoring 7 pts, grabbing a couple of boards, dishing an assist and making 2 steals............... Let's hope this is not one of those "chronic" things. We need this guy 100% healthy in ACC play for sure.
A-MO ADJUSTS HIS SIGHTS
Anthony Morrow certainly found his range tonight, knocking down 7 of 11 3 pt attempts tonight, scoring 21 points. Nice to see that heading into conference play. Although part of me can't help but wonder if he's camping out on the perimeter too much. Hard to make that judgment without watching the game, but I always felt that A-Mo should expand his game into a more all-around skill-set. He's proven his ability to mix it up inside on occasion, but he's really not a shot-creator like Lewis Clinch. He's a bit more of a true catch-and-shoot marksman, a la Marvin Lewis.
JAVARIS AND HIS STREAK
I decided to look back at Javaris Crittenton's last 3 ballgames. Check out the stats:
Winston Salem State.......... 9 assists............. 0 turnovers
St.Francis............................. 8 assists............. 1 turnover
Troy...................................... 10 assists........... 0 turnovers
Combined 27 assists, 1 turnover the last 3 ball-games. I know, I know - we might as well have played Mary's Mother's of the Blind. However, I don't care who the competition is, that is impressive...................... At this point, JC is #2 in the ACC in assists behind the frosh at WF (I.Smith), but he's closing fast.
JEREMIS - THE ROCK
As Coach says, I know what Jeremis will give me every night. There is never a question. Tonight - more of the same. 10 pts, 8 boards, 6 assists, 3 steals, only 1 turnover. That's quite a stat-line. Jeremis, you can put your lunch pail back in your locker - game's over.
TIME TO STRAP IT ON BOYS
Ok, now things get interesting. Really interesting. The carb-loaded, sugar-laden, twinkie filled puff pastries are over and done. It's conference time. First up - undefeated Clemson............. yes undefeated............ and legit. How legit? We'll know once the game is over. Can Hewitt's boys take this momentum and intensity and bring it ON THE ROAD? Can they break the jinx? Remember, this team hasn't won a true road game on an opponents floor in over 2 years. No kidding. If we're going to make the dance, we have the beat the Clemsons of the world on the road.
GO JACKETS!!!!