Decades past and present
Surely it was no coincidence that on the football team’s biggest weekend in terms of recruiting – both in terms of volume and stature of prospects making official visits with their families – that the school honored the Atlantic Division champs at halftime of Saturday’s basketball game.
Dabo Swinney took the mic and told fans to prepare for the “best” decade in the program’s history.
I can only wonder what Danny Ford, sitting courtside, was thinking. Ford, reclining deep in his seat, gave no sign of response, merely continuing to spin the ol’ toothpick in his mouth.
Now, unprecedented sustained success for the basketball program would be more like it. But that bar isn’t too high.
The Tigers host No. 9 UNC on Wednesday night (9 p.m., ESPN) in their lone regular-season meeting.
Just Clemson’s luck that this one isn’t being played in Chapel Hill.
Beyond 2002, the Tigers’ odds of ending their dubious 54-game losing streak at UNC might not have been greater.
That’s probably overstating it without research to support, but this year’s Tar Heels certainly don’t strike the fear of recent predecessors.
They are 0-3 on the road, and preseason concerns about their backcourt ineptitude has come to fruition. Larry Drew actually hasn’t been as uninspiring as expected at point guard, but that represents both the best and worst of their guard play.
UNC was legitimately hurt by not having Will Graves in the starting lineup for two straight games.
Just sayin’.
On the other hand, I go back to 2002 when stars like PG Adam Boone (23 pts, 10 reb) and G Melvin Scott (17 points) had career days to prolong Clemson’s drought at UNC’s nadir.
If the Tigers couldn’t end The Streak against that crew, fate indeed might be involved.
6 Comments to “Decades past and present”
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Clemson Beat writer Paul Strelow blogs about Clemson University athletics.
I’m sure Danny wishes him luck with that, be the ’80s will be hard to beat.
It seems like the schedule makers up in Greensboro keep an eye out for that streak sometimes. Or is it just me?
Paul, you are a great writer and have been a boon to this displaced Tiger fan. I wish you luck!
Paul,
You’re the best Clemson beat writer there is. Being out of state now, I truly appreciate all the extra work that you did on this blog. Your reporting was thorough, informative, and entertaining… I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Best of luck to you!
-John
John,
Appreciate the kind words, sir.
I always enjoy reading your comments.thanks