Boston College Athletics
Clifford, Eagles’ Team Mentality Gain Notice
January 04, 2016 | Men's Basketball
Coach K has praise for senior’s return and team’s togetherness
After men's basketball opened the ACC slate Saturday against 12th-ranked Duke at home, the Blue Devils' hall of fame head coach Mike Krzyzewski took time in his postgame press conference to offer his take on the 2015-16 edition of the Eagles and especially on fifth-year senior Dennis Clifford.
"I think they're a real team. They pull for one another," Krzyzewski said. "I mentioned a number of times to my staff and to the players, 'Look, this team is a together team.' They really play good defense. They have each other's back. They're doing good things, is what I'm saying. For me, today's really a good win for us. I think we beat a team that's well-coached and together."
After mentioning specifically the importance of the influence of fifth-year players Eli Carter and Clifford, Krzyzewski went further on about the Bridgewater, Mass., product who has successfully rebounded from multiple years of knee issues earlier in his career.
"This is my 36th year in the league and so you respect other programs, coaches and players when they do really good jobs," Krzyzewski said." I can remember coming up here a few years ago and Clifford could hardly walk. He wasn't even playing. I'm not saying out on the court, he literally had a hard time walking."
After redshirting the 2013-14 season, Clifford rehabbed and returned to the court in 2014-15. Opening the 2015 ACC season at Duke early last January, Clifford had eight points and five rebounds. He went on to average 6.9 points per game and 5.5 rebounds in 31 appearances.
Now in 2015-16, Clifford is averaging 9.2 points per game and adding 7.2 rebounds per contest. BC returns to the court Thursday against Notre Dame at 7 p.m. in Conte Forum. Saturday, he posted 12 points and five rebounds.
"I admire that: that kid's commitment, and his commitment to BC," Krzyzewski said. "He didn't have to stay here for his fifth year and he stayed. You have to admire that. There are those stories that are really neat stories."
"I think they're a real team. They pull for one another," Krzyzewski said. "I mentioned a number of times to my staff and to the players, 'Look, this team is a together team.' They really play good defense. They have each other's back. They're doing good things, is what I'm saying. For me, today's really a good win for us. I think we beat a team that's well-coached and together."
After mentioning specifically the importance of the influence of fifth-year players Eli Carter and Clifford, Krzyzewski went further on about the Bridgewater, Mass., product who has successfully rebounded from multiple years of knee issues earlier in his career.
"This is my 36th year in the league and so you respect other programs, coaches and players when they do really good jobs," Krzyzewski said." I can remember coming up here a few years ago and Clifford could hardly walk. He wasn't even playing. I'm not saying out on the court, he literally had a hard time walking."
After redshirting the 2013-14 season, Clifford rehabbed and returned to the court in 2014-15. Opening the 2015 ACC season at Duke early last January, Clifford had eight points and five rebounds. He went on to average 6.9 points per game and 5.5 rebounds in 31 appearances.
Now in 2015-16, Clifford is averaging 9.2 points per game and adding 7.2 rebounds per contest. BC returns to the court Thursday against Notre Dame at 7 p.m. in Conte Forum. Saturday, he posted 12 points and five rebounds.
"I admire that: that kid's commitment, and his commitment to BC," Krzyzewski said. "He didn't have to stay here for his fifth year and he stayed. You have to admire that. There are those stories that are really neat stories."
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