With the start of ACC play, we’ll take a look at our conference opponents as we learn about some brand-new teams that we will be visiting and also hosting in Berkeley.
Clemson Tigers 11-3 (3-0)
Head Coach: Brad Brownell (15th Season)
Best Finish: In 2024, Brownell took the tigers to the Elite 8 from a 6th seed after going 21-12 (11-9). He also took the team to the Sweet 16 as a 5th seed in 2018.
Key Players
G Chase Hunter - 6-4/202 - 22% of Offensive Possession - 25% of Shots
17.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.4 TOPG, 48% FG, 42.5% 3PT, 87.8% FT
F Ian Schieffelin - 6-8/240 - 23.2% of Offensive Possession - 21.4% of Shots
13.1 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.1 TOPG, 43.7% FG, 31% 3PT, 77.6% FT
C Viktor Lakhin - 6-11/245 - 26.6% of Offensive Possession - 26.0% of Shots
11.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.9 BPG, 1.7 TOPG, 48.8% FG, 38.5% 3PT, 77.5% FT
Rob’s Notebook
The 30th-ranked team on KenPom, the Bears have another tough matchup on their first ACC road trip. Despite their size, the Tigers are more adept shooting from beyond the arc than inside. They still only shoot from 3 on about 40% of their shots, but make them at a clip of 37.6%. The Tigers also do not draw a lot of fouls but do rebound the ball on the offensive side very well, at a clip of 34%. Defensively they create turnovers at a rate of 21.7%, which isn’t good for the Bears who turn the ball over on offense 19.1% of possessions. Thought the Tigers hold offenses to just over 30% from 3, they do give up over 50% from inside the arc. Cal will have to exploit the midrange game and shots at the rim from drives and the bigs, with all 5 Tigers starters giving up at least 2 fouls per 40 minutes of play.
Game Info
Tip-Off: 5:30 PM PT
Location: Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, SC
TV: ESPN2
Radio: KGO 810AM or The Varsity Network
I'd love to be proven wrong (desperately) but we're probably headed to the woodshed with this one. But anything is possible! Go Bears!
Go Bears! Play defense.