Painter’s Preview: Tiger Basketball Season Preview & Week 1
It is almost Basketball Season in Clemson, South Carolina, and the Tigers led by Brad Brownell are looking to repeat the success from last season. The Tigers finished last season’s regular season with a 21-10 record entering the ACC tournament. However, despite their success in the regular season, Clemson was bounced in their first game of the ACC Tournament, and fans were not looking forward for the same outcome in the NCAA Tournament. Entering the NCAA Tournament as a 6th seed, the Tigers were a favorite pick to be upset during the first round. Yet, the Tigers held strong to great performances from returning Point Guard Chase Hunter that propelled them to an Elite Eight run for the second time in school history. Hunter and Co. have high hopes and expectations to live up to this season, and it will be interesting to see how this new squad adapts.
Keys to the Season:
Chase Hunter:
As seen in the NCAA Tournament, super stardom play from the Graduate Point Guard can propel the Tigers into one of the best teams in the country. The current sixth-year, Chase Hunter decided to continue his college career after averaging 17.8 points, 5.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and a 50% field goal percentage during Clemson’s Elite Eight run (ESPN). Hunter was the Tiger that truly stepped up because of P.J. Hall’s struggling performances. Despite Hunter’s amazing performances during the Tournament, I still question whether or not he can consistently maintain that type of play. In his career, he has never averaged more than 14 pts/g, 5 assists/g, and 3.5 rebounds/g (ESPN). While Hunter transitioned to the Point Guard position just two years ago, his focus on the team as been as a third option behind Hall, Joseph Girard (last season), and Hunter Tyson (2 seasons ago) (“Sports Reference | Sports Stats, Fast, Easy, and Up-To-Date | Sports-Reference.com”). Tiger Fandom is expecting Chase Hunter to take the last season leap that was seen in Hunter Tyson, who was another long-time Tiger that blossomed late in his career. However, it is a question mark whether or not Hunter takes the step into averaging 15+ pts/g along with 5 assists/g. The Tiger’s long-term success will rely on Chase Hunter; the question remains: can he have that type of improvement that is expected from him?
In-Program Improvement
While Brad Brownell is known for taking a lot of one and done Portal players, he is also known for the long-term development of guys within the program. Those guys that need to see an improvement this season for Clemson to be successful are Senior Forward Ian Schieffelin, Junior Forward Chauncey Wiggins, Junior Guard Dillon Hunter, and RS/Jr Guard Jake Heidbreder. Starting with Ian Schieffelin, his production last season was a shock to all as he came close to averaging a 10 and 10 double-double, and he quickly became known as the ultimate glue guy across the country. Ian would not hesitate to dive for loose balls, and his specialty from last season was taking a charge. However, Ian needs to take yet another step up for the Tigers to be competitive again. He needs to be seen as a star for this roster instead of a glue guy because the Tigers need stars and not just good productive players. Chauncey Wiggins is a special type of build as he was gifted with the frame and abilities someone would attribute to Kevin Durant. Yet Wiggins’ production has not lived up to such a name. Last season Wiggins saw an increase in playing time, and at times, his potential was evident as he scored 12+ points on seven different occasions (ESPN). With the loss of top scorers P.J. Hall and Joseph Girard, the Tigers need scorers and Wiggins is primed for that role with his versatility to stretch the floor. However, this is just another question mark for the Tigers entering this season. While Coach Brownell brought in a proven productive guard from Boston College in the off-season, Dillon Hunter is expected to play as the Tigers back-up PG this season just like last. Hunter has seen 10+ minutes/g his entire career with Clemson backing up his brother Chase Hunter, but Dillon’s production has been less than stellar. While Dillon is a good on and off-ball defender, the Tiger’s offensive production always seemed to take a dip when he was on the court. Dillon is not a great shooter, shooting 35.5% from the field and just 22% from three in his career (ESPN). He does not have to improve into a great offensive threat, but if the Tigers want to trust in Dillon, he has to showcase improvement in his shot. The last returning Tiger that deserves some attention is Guard Jake Heidbreder. Heidbreder has only been within the Tiger Program for one season, and he did not play a game because of an injury that sidelined him for the season. The former Air-Force Falcon has since returned to playing for the program, and I believe he is flying under the radar for Clemson and will be a great contributor to this squad. Heidbreder has played a ton of College Basketball in his short 3-year career, and he has averaged 13 pts/g, 3.3 rbs/g, 1.8 asts/g, a 49.2% field goal percentage, and a 39.1% from the three (ESPN). While their may be an adjustment period back into the game for Heidbreder, his past production can give Tiger Fans hope that he can help replace Joseph Girard with his proven scoring numbers. Can these in-program Tigers contribute to the success of the team or will fans see no improvement that returns Clemson to their under-achieving ways?
Can you replace P.J. Hall?:
P.J. Hall has been the face of Clemson Basketball for the past 3 seasons, and he was one of the highest rated recruits that Head Coach Brad Brownell has ever signed. Hall has since moved onto the NBA where he currently is in the Denver Nuggets Organization along side Hunter Tyson. Hall did not play much his Freshman season, but in the three years that followed he was seen as Clemson’s best player. In the last 3 seasons, Hall averaged 16.4 pts/g, 6 rbs/g, and a 55% field goal percentage (“Sports Reference | Sports Stats, Fast, Easy, and Up-To-Date | Sports-Reference.com”). While the memory of P.J. may be tainted by his poor performances in the NCAA Tournament, he was easily the reason the Tigers made it to that spot, and he put the Tigers in many positions to gain a bid in seasons previous to last season. However, now that he is gone, Coach Brownell turned to the Portal to replace his production. Coach Brownell brought in four transfers: RS/Sr Center Viktor Lakhin, RS/So Center Christion Reeves, Graduate Forward Myles Foster, and Graduate Guard Jaeden Zackery. Viktor Lakhin, a 6’11 former Cincinnati Bearcat, has played quite a bit the last two seasons despite struggling with injuries during last year. Lakhin averaged 10.2 pts/g, 6.6 rbs/g, 1.1 blks/g, and a 55.9% field goal percentage (ESPN). While Viktor’s stats do not jump off the page, his added height and consistent production should be a valuable asset to the Tigers if their is improvement else where on the roster. Reeves has quite a different story. The 7’2 center is a former Duke Blue Devil that saw very limited action in the past two seasons and is seen as a developmental player for this Tiger Program. While his great size will be used situational, his production is expected to be limited this season unless their is a great leap in his play. Unlike Viktor and Reeves, Myles Foster does not come from a Power Conference team; however, his past production looks to help the Tigers replace Hall. Foster is a former Monmouth Hawk and Illinois State Red Bird, who has been productive during his past two seasons. Foster has averaged 12.5 pts/g, 7.4 rbs/g, and a 50% field goal percentage (ESPN). His production and 6’7 245 pound statue is comparable to Clemson star Ian Schieffelin, and it is expected for Foster to be Ian’s relief along with playing alongside Ian in certain scenarios. While Jaeden Zackery does not play down low, his potential scoring efforts will help the Tigers come back after losing Hall. Zackery a 6’1 220 pound Guard has played a ton of ACC basketball in his career, starting almost every game for the past three years for Boston College. He has averaged a consistent 10.8 pts/g, 3.3 asts/g, 3.2 rbs/g, 45% field goal percentage, and a 40.5% from three (ESPN). Zackery’s three point potential bounced the Tigers in the ACC Tournament last season, and Brownell is hoping that Zackery can sustain play like that throughout the season. It will be interesting to see Zackery’s role on the team and whether he will dominantly play the two-guard with Chase Hunter or if he will be Hunter’s back up. However, the Tigers have yet another question mark coming into the season. Can you replace the production of Tiger Legend P.J. Hall?
2024 Freshmen Class:
Coach Brownell brought in 3 top 170 players in the country for the 2024 recruiting class along side those 4 mentioned transfers. While Coach Brownell is known for not playing Freshmen that often, that trend could change this season. 6’7 Forward Dallas Thomas and 6’1 Guard Ace Buckner were the Tigers highest rated recruits; however, Coach Brownell has been raving about the play of 6’2 Guard Dell Jones. Jones feels like a consistent mention from Brownell in his media conferences, and it seems that Jones could have a early impact. Brownell has raved about his quickness and on-ball defense that could help the Tigers. Coach Brownell mentioned that we could see a faster pace Tiger Team this season, and Dell Jones plays right into that kind of system. Do not be surprised if we were to see Dell Jones coming off the bench early on this season.
Protect Littlejohn:
The Clemson Men’s Basketball Program are lucky enough to have a lot of their tough contests at home during the course of the 24-25 season without having to travel to the homes of those tough opponents. The Tigers are lucky enough to have 23rd ranked Kentucky, Memphis, 7th ranked Duke, and 9th ranked North Carolina at home without having to travel to the difficult environments that these places have (ESPN). The Tigers need to go 2-2 or 3-1 over the course of these games to put together a good enough resume for the NCAA to place them back into the Tournament. Clemson Fans are expecting the same type of season from last year, and the team has been put in a great situation to fulfill those hopes. What made the Tigers so good last season were their quality wins, and this season they are set up to have more quality wins. They were able to have a 12-4 record at home last season, and the Tigers have to continue that trend this season (ESPN).
Preview for Week 1:
November 4, 2024 - Clemson vs. Charleston Southern
Clemson opens their 24-25 season campaign playing the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at home. The Buccaneers ended last season with a 10-20 record, after getting bounced in their first game of the Big South Conference Tournament. The Buc’s finished in 5th place of the Big South, and they are projected to fall back into that place this season during the first season of Head Coach Saah Nimley, who is still serving as the Interim Coach. Charleston Southern was 0-4 against Power Conference Opponents last season, losing by a margin of 24.5 pts each contest; however, they were able to take South Carolina down to the wire losing just 69-73 (“Sports Reference | Sports Stats, Fast, Easy, and Up-To-Date | Sports-Reference.com”). Despite their rough year, they returned each of their top four scorers that each averaged over 10 pts/g: Senior Forward Taje’ Kelly, Junior Guard R.J. Johnson, Junior Guard A’lahn Summer, and Senior Forward D.J. Patrick (“Sports Reference | Sports Stats, Fast, Easy, and Up-To-Date | Sports-Reference.com”). Led by Senior Forward Taje’ Kelly, the Buccaneers are looking for an early season defining win. The Tigers have a tough task on their hands limiting the top guys on this roster, but as they have to reach into their depth the more question marks that arise for Charleston Southern. They added two transfer Centers that add some needed height to the roster, but both guys have been unproved at their previous programs. The expected starter is Jaylen Gibson who is a former N.C. State player, that saw very limited action for the Wolfpack. His 6’10 frame should help give the Buccaneers resistance in the paint offensively and defensively; however, the Tigers will most likely enter this game ready to take care of business. This game could get very interesting if the Buccaneers come out firing on all cylinders, but the talent and production of both rosters will likely led to a pretty big Clemson Victory.
Prediction: While the Tigers may show some glimpses of struggle with the added guys on their roster, they will roll to a big home victory to start the year. I do not expect Clemson to score at will the way they want to early with the questions in production. However, Tigers still win 76-52.
November 8, 2024 - Clemson vs. Saint Francis (PA)
Later on in the week, Clemson returns to Littlejohn against the St. Francis (PA) Red Flash. Led by Rob Krimmel who enters his 13th season as the Red Flash Head Coach, they finished last season with an underwhelming 8-22 record, getting bounced in their first Conference Tournament like the Buccaneers (“Sports Reference | Sports Stats, Fast, Easy, and Up-To-Date | Sports-Reference.com”). Despite this rough year, all five of their top scorers were underclassmen with four being freshman. However, in the landscape of sports today no player is safe, and the Red Flash return only 2 of those guys because of the Transfer Portal. Returning to St. Francis are Sophomore Guards Bobby Rosenburg III and (newly named) Ace Talbert. St. Francis played only one Power Conference opponent last season in which they lost to Penn State by 30 points (“Sports Reference | Sports Stats, Fast, Easy, and Up-To-Date | Sports-Reference.com”). Heah Coach Rob Krimmel has made St. Francis into a respectable Northeast Conference team, especially in the 2010’s; however, his latest teams have been pretty dismal. This season St. Francis roster looks to be gearing up for another disappointing season as well because of the losses to the Portal, and the lack of Portal guys into the program. It is almost impossible for the Red Flash to walk into Littlejohn Coliseum and leave with a victory. After studying the program, St. Francis will be one of the worst NEC programs and finish with 5-8 wins yet again.
Prediction: The St. Francis Red Flash were too gutted in the off-season, and they were not able to replace that talent with proven players. The Tigers will roll on November 8 in Littlejohn, and the we will see the Walk-Ons that we love within “The Walk-On”. Tigers win 86-50
Sources:
“Sports Reference | Sports Stats, Fast, Easy, and Up-To-Date | Sports-Reference.com.” Sports-Reference.com, 2019, www.sports-reference.com/.
ESPN. “ESPN.” ESPN.com, 2019, www.espn.com/.
“Clemson Tigers | Clemson University Athletics.” Clemson Tigers Official Athletics Site, clemsontigers.com. (for Pic)