Dein erstes Forum » attacking batsmen like de Kock and Rilee Ross

CLEMSON, S.C. -- It has been a long time since any Clemson basketball team made the NCAA Tournament.Head coaches Brad Brownell and Audra Smith are looking to change that as quickly as possible -- and hope a $63.5 million renovation at Littlejohn Coliseum can help.The mens team has not made NCAAs since 2011, Brownells first season and the end of a run of four straight trips to the Big Dance. Its been even longer for Smiths womens team, which had not gotten a bid since 2002 -- three coaches ago.Brownell spent much of his previous six years meeting donors about the basketball project and building a base of support to fill up Liittlejohns increased premium seating areas when it officially opens Nov. 11 as the Tigers face Georgia.Brownell said hes built a respectable, competitive program and wont worry about those on the outside who think a shiny new building brings instant success.A better office, nicer TVs and couches, doesnt win you any games, said Brownell, starting his seventh Clemson season. Now, hopefully, it brings guys together in an environment where you can spent more time together, bond better and become closer, that togetherness helps you win games.Brownell and Smith each acknowledge what the facility can mean to their future programs in attracting top talent.Smith said last week she had several prospects on campus whose eyes widened at the modern, expanded weight rooms and additional practice courts. Brownell is glad for the chance to show off a finished product to high school coaches, players and their families instead of planning sketches.Its the owner of the Taj Mahal, one supporter said to Brownell as they shook hands Wednesday.Athletic director Dan Radakovich made the aging Littlejohn one of his first priorities when he took the job four years ago. He thought a modern facility would boost Clemsons basketball programs the way updating and expanding football facilities -- an initiative begun more than a decade ago -- has Clemson fighting for a second-straight trip to the College Football Playoff.Brownell knows it will take time to see benefits, especially with the Tigers having to recruit against ACC powers like Duke, North Carolina and Louisville.You go to ACC media days there are probably 14 out of 15 teams saying theyre going to the NCAAs, the coach said.Clemson has gone 10-8 in the Atlantic Coast Conference in two of the past three years and last season had a three-game run like few others in program history, defeating ranked league opponents Louisville, Duke and Miami over a weeks span.Just because we havent made the NCAA Tournament, and were all disappointed with that, look at ACC play over the last three years especially, weve been a pretty good team. I think we have a lot more respect in our league than sometimes were given credit for.Smith has struggled in rebuilding Clemsons once powerful womens basketball team, going from 13 wins her first season to nine in 2014-15 and four last winter. Its a frustrating process she hopes is about to trend upward in a fresh building.All the amenities in place for our kids to be successful is something that will definitely help us as the season goes on, she said.---Online: www.collegebasketball.ap.org Luke Kunin Wild Jersey . Brazilian national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed that the veteran goalkeeper is set to join Toronto on loan, saying it will help him be ready for the World Cup. Custom Minnesota Wild Jerseys . Pettersen, winner of last years Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France. 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While Australia lurch through a wide range of selection conundrums ranging from resting bowlers to Steven Smith saying there is no-one banging down the door domestically and now the sudden stepping down of Rod Marsh, South Africa are seemingly spoilt for choice in a remarkable change of fortune from last summers struggles. Back then, it seemed South Africa were touching the bottom of their talent pool. Now, that bottom has been proven false and they have options in every discipline.Instead of delight in any schadenfreude, convener Linda Zondi remained mindful of the cycles that a selection committee can go through. One thing I have learned in this position as convener of selectors is that its a thankless job. You have to understand the position you hold. Either way, there will be issues. I dont want to get involved too much in the Australian selection but as long as we are happy where we are, I am comfortable. There will be hard times going forward. Im happy with the team, the environment, the players and the way they have performed for us. Its excellent, he said.Zondi was appointed in July last year, after serving on his predecessor Andrew Hudsons panel, and his first task was to pick the squad to tour India. On that trip, South Africa lost both Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander to injuries, prompting a revolving door of fast bowlers that were used through the summer. Kagiso Rabada made his first appearance in Mohali, Chris Morris and Hardus Viljoen debuted against England and Kyle Abbott yo yo-ed in and out of the side. At the other end of the team sheet, there was pressure to find an opening batsman when Stiaan van Zyl struggled and its not as though everything in between was settled.Dane Vilas was used that time after Quinton de Kock was not included in the India Test squad because of losing form earlier in the year. Like van Zyl, Vilas also battled. Instead of recalling de Kock immediately, the gloves were given to AB de Villiers who responded with complaints about workload. In addition to that, both Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy lost form and were dropped in turns, leaving the middle order lacking muscle.Before Zondi and his panel could begin to find a solution, ahead of the New Zealand series this August, they were hit by another requirement. They needed to meet transformation targets too. The system seemed set to fail but the selectors have come out smiliing with targets met and a winning team.dddddddddddd How did they achieve that?The board makes policy, and our role is to implement those policies, Zondi said. When we got to the stage where the policies were passed, we were in the position where the best represented South Africa, regardless of any target or colour. All the players deserve to be there and weve got young guys that are coming through to add to the senior squad.The panel was helped by the return of Steyn - albeit temporarily - and Philander, the second coming of Duminy, the ability of du Plessis to step up and the coming of age of de Kock, Temba Bavuma and Rabada - but theyve also made some brave calls. Dane Piedt was dropped for the Australia Tests for two rookie spinners and Morne Morkel, battling fitness concerns, has not yet been recalled.Those decisions were not easy but Zondi explained that they were made with the focus on combinations and conditions. We are looking at conditions and seeing how we feel, and how the players suit a particular role. The combination is important.Crucially for South Africa they have been able to toggle their combinations because they have enough players in each department. Their attack includes seamers who offer speed, swing and seam movement; they have an offspinner in Duminy, a left-arm spinner in Keshav Maharaj and a wristspinner in Tabraiz Shamsi plus they have attacking batsmen like de Kock and Rilee Rossouw to Bavumas more cautious style.That has allowed them to compile as diverse a squad as possible and, having studied the domestic set-up, Zondi believes the trend will continue.You can only make those decisions when you know you have a good enough back-up in whatever role you are looking at. Domestically, I am happy with what Ive seen. The stronger the franchise matches are, the better for South Africa A and the Proteas.We have a lot of guys, who are matric (final year or school) and performing at franchise level and guys that have been in the system for a while are dominating. Another benefit that I see is that weve got good coaches so its a good combination of the two. We are in a position where players in every single role is available. Its just a matter of us taking those guys to that next level and seeing how we move on. ' ' '