Painter’s Preview: Tiger Basketball Week 4
After a disappointing road loss at Boise State, the Tigers were able to get back on the right track at the Coliseum on Thursday, November 21st against Radford. Clemson put on a defensive clinic holding Radford to just 51 points while putting up 79. This win extends the Tigers’ record to 4-1 going into the 2024 Sunshine Slam Tournament. Clemson is in the Ocean Division with San Francisco, Penn State, and Fordham. The Tigers have an opportunity to correct their loss to Boise State by getting two possible quad 1 wins against San Francisco and Penn State.
Key Tiger Takeaways from Radford:
Stellar Defensive: Clemson returned to their stellar defensive performances against the Highlanders after giving up 84 points on the road to Boise State. Radford came into this contest scoring 87+ points in their last four games, and the Tigers held them to 31% from the field (ESPN). Radford’s leading scorer, Jarvis Moss, was averaging 20 pts/g hoping to continue that feat, but Clemson constantly shut him down. Moss scored 9 points on 13 shots (EPSN). With Clemson’s struggles Offensively, they need to continue Defensive performances similar to this one to ensure they continue to win games. The Tigers have tough scoring opponents coming up with San Francisco averaging 80 pts/g, and if the Tigers play Penn State, they are averaging almost 100 pts/g (ESPN). Clemson’s true talent on Defense will be tested in these upcoming games that could determine how the season will go for here.
Returners: Clemson’s Transfers led the way to start this season during the first three games of the season, but their returners came to play this past game. After going 3-18 from the field in these past two games, Junior Forward Chauncey Wiggins led the way for the Tigers against Radford. Wiggins went 7-11 from the field and 2-4 from deep to get up to his season-high 16 points (ESPN). Wiggins’ role in the starting lineup was beginning to be questioned before this performance because of his lack of production from shooting, but Wiggins needs to continue playing this level of basketball for Clemson to be successful. The Tigers have not designated a clear second option on Offense, but Wiggins is a potential candidate to set into that role if this level of play continues. Coming off an injury, Junior Guard Dillion Hunter was right behind Wiggins in points with his career-high 15 points coming off the bench (ESPN). Throughout Hunter’s career so far, he has been cursed with making shots. His playmaking ability and defense is good enough for Hunter to play valuable minutes, but his effect on the game has been limited because of his lack of shooting. This side of his game was a popular topic within Clemson Basketball in the off-season, and if we would see Hunter improve from the field. In his third actual game of the season, Dillion Hunter showed he could make meaningful shots at this level that helps Clemson develop some bench scoring. Dillon Hunter has all the talent in the world to get open, but going forward it will be seen if he can consistently hit open shots to effect the game that way.
Turnovers: Through the first five games of this season, the Tigers have already accumulated 55 turnovers (ESPN). Clemson has shifted their playing style from last season from playing faster than they have in the past four years, and while Clemson has scored a good amount of points, their turnovers will eventually be the reason they lose games. The Tigers have played only one non-midmajor program, and their turnover numbers are still this high. This statistic does not give Tiger Fans much hope that Clemson can continue their run to the Elite Eight from last season because turnovers eliminate chances to win big time games. Clemson still has a lot to prove moving forward this season, and it will be interesting to see how their play can improve going against tougher opponents.
Rebounding: Clemson’s rebounding ability was one of the reasons that Boise State was able to dominant the game against the Tigers, and Clemson did not improve much on rebounding against Radford. The Tigers out rebounded the Highlanders by 5 rebounds; however, Radford outrebounded Clemson on the Offensive glass by 5 rebounds. The Highlanders grabbed 11 offensive rebounds which is way too many for an undersized team against Clemson (ESPN). The Tigers attempted to rebound more as a committee against Radford as everyone on the floor seemed to crash the boards, but they still failed to eliminate second chance opportunities. These second chance opportunities will make Clemson lose games in the future, and maybe in the next week. The Tigers have to get more physical within the paint and work on angles that favor outrebounding opponents. Senior Forward Ian Schieffelin has been the only consistent rebounder for the Tigers, and without P.J. Hall, Clemson has struggled.
Clemson’s Upcoming Games:
Sunshine Slam Round 1: San Francisco, November 25, 2024
Clemson opens up their first game in the Sunshine Slam against 4-1 the San Francisco Dons. They are coming off a tough home loss against Memphis in which the Dons blew a first half lead for Memphis to fight their way to a win. However, San Francisco has already played and beaten Boise State who is the Tigers only loss. The Dons are coming off a 23-11 season within the West Coast Conference (WCC) and a NIT Tournament appearance (“Sports Reference | Sports Stats, Fast, Easy, and Up-To-Date | Sports-Reference.com”). Leading San Francisco are three key guards: Senior Malik Thomas, Senior Marcus Williams, and Freshman Tyrone Riley IV. Both Thomas and Williams are veteran players for the Dons, and they both were two and three in scoring for their squad last season. Thomas has propelled himself into the clear leader of this 24-25 team, and his ability has allowed for him to score 17.6 pts/g while also grabbing 4.2 rbs/g (ESPN). Williams is averaging just 12 pts/g so far during his senior campaign, but his points are much more reliant on his ability to shoot the three (ESPN). The true difference in this years squad than last season is the addition of Freshman Guard Tyrone Riley IV. Riley is right behind Thomas in scoring so far, and his 6’6 frame a combined with his ability to score from anywhere has improved the Dons Offense. Height wise, San Francisco matches up well against the Tigers with their Forwards all being around 6’7-6’9 and their Center being 7’0. The Tigers will have to rebound effectively to ensure that the Dons do not get unnecessary second chance opportunities. However, the Dons rebound very well by committee. Expect all their players including their guards to get involved within the paint. This game will be determined by how much Clemson’s perimeter defense can slow down these dynamic Guards. The Tigers have showcased a weakness of scoring consistently this season, and the Dons have performed well on defense creating many turnovers. The Dons are going to heavily rely on their starters to get the job done, but the Tigers will need to disrupt them enough offensively to create missed shots just as Memphis did. Clemson will struggle to find a consistent second scoring option along with consistent bench scoring as they will lose 76-68 dropping their second game already.
Sunshine Slam Round 2: Penn State or Fordham, November 26, 2024
Depending on the outcome of the Clemson vs. San Francisco game, the Tigers will play either Penn State or Fordham. It is perceived that Penn State will most likely take care of business against Fordham, but nothing is impossible in College Basketball. I will take a short preview into both squads for either team that the Tigers might play. The Penn State Nittany Lions are off to a hot start as they have run everyone off of the gym averaging almost 100 points a game (ESPN). The Nittany Lions are off to a 5-0 start that contains a big 20 point win over Virginia Tech. Penn State is coming off of a disappointing 16-17 season; however, trust in their development with a couple of Portal additions have created their 5-0 start (“Sports Reference | Sports Stats, Fast, Easy, and Up-To-Date | Sports-Reference.com”). They are led by Senior Guard Ace Baldwin Jr. who has averaged about 16 pts/g combined with 8 asts/g (ESPN). Baldwin is a two-year Nittany Lion who has greatly improved his three point shot that has led to him becoming a 3-level scorer. Catching passes from Baldwin within the paint are two Forwards for Penn State: Senior Zach Hicks and Junior Yanic Konan Niederhauser. Hicks is a returner from last seasons roster, and his production so far has seen a drastic increase, going from 9 pts/g to 15 pts/g (ESPN). Niederhauser is a 7’0 Transfer addition from Northern Illinois who has added 12 pts/g to their roster while also grabbing 7 rb/g (ESPN). This main three guys for the Nittany Lions have given them their best start in a while, and they are not willingly to let it go yet. However, the question mark for this team is can they win if the other team protects the basketball? They have thrived on steals and creating turnovers, but it remains unanswered whether or not they can compete if the other team handles the rock well. If Clemson plays Penn State, the Nittany Lions will use their fast style of play to throw the Tigers off their game, leading to a 82-70 point loss because of turnovers.
The Fordham Rams are entering this tournament with a 3-2 record with losses to St. John’s and Manhattan. Fordham is the clear underdog within these four teams, but they have showcased their ability to upset squads with a win over Seton Hall earlier in the season (ESPN). The Rams finished last season with a terrible 13-20 record because they lacked a star player with only one player averaging over 10 points a game (“Sports Reference | Sports Stats, Fast, Easy, and Up-To-Date | Sports-Reference.com”). Returning Coach Keith Urgo did some work with the Portal to bring in top scorer for the Rams, Jackie Johnson III. The Senior Guard and former UNLV Rebel and Duquesne Duke did not produce at his former schools, but has lit up the stat sheet so far this season. Johnson is averaging 19 points a game for the Rams and is very reliant on the three point line (ESPN). Around Johnson, not too many guys jump off the page at you. Fordham lacks developed size, and it has bit them in the butt this season getting outrebounded in four of their five games (ESPN). The Rams are going to need Johnson to put on some stellar performances for them to upset any one of these teams within the tournament, but it is unlikely that will happen. If the Tigers play Fordham, expect Clemson to use their size to overpower the Rams leading to a 85-62 point win for Clemson.
Florida A&M at home, November 29, 2024
After the Sunshine Slam Tournament, Clemson returns to Littlejohn after Thanksgiving to welcome in the Florida A&M Rattlers. The Rattlers are currently 0-4 with all four losses coming against Power Conferences opponents, but expect them to come into Littlejohn 1-4 as they play the Trinity Baptist Eagles next. Florida A&M finished last season with a 6-23 record, but a new head coach has new aspirations for the potential of this Rattler team within their conference play (“Sports Reference | Sports Stats, Fast, Easy, and Up-To-Date | Sports-Reference.com”). The Rattlers lost all of their top five scorers from last season to Graduation and the Transfer Portal, but some Portal additions have helped the Rattlers cope with their losses. Their current top three scorers are all Senior Portal players that hope to help first year Head Coach Patrick Carey lift up this program. Leading the way for Florida A&M is Senior Transfer Guard Sterling Young who has averaged 12 pts/g so far this season (ESPN). This has been Young’s first true opportunity to play college basketball as he barely saw the floor at his other schools. Behind Young, the Rattlers do not have another 10 point scorer, and their roster is worst than that of the Fordham Rams. The Rattlers have a long way to go before they will be able to compete competitively, and it will not start against the Tigers. Clemson will win 95-52 in a defensive clinic as Florida A&M will struggle to get going against Clemson’s perimeter defenders.
Sources:
ESPN. “ESPN.” ESPN.com, 2019, www.espn.com/.
“Sports Reference | Sports Stats, Fast, Easy, and Up-To-Date | Sports-Reference.com.” Sports-Reference.com, 2019, www.sports-reference.com/.