Tigers-Panthers Battle May Decided By Rebounding
ACC beat writers and analysts picked Clemson to finish 11th in the ACC preseason. They predicted Pittsburgh to finish 14th. The Tigers-Panthers battle for first place Saturday was anticipated by no one who follows ACC basketball.
Pittsburgh’s edge against Clemson is rebounding, particularly offensive. The Tigers must box out well, and rotate out to shooters, as the Panthers shoot a high number of three pointers. Players other than Hunter Tyson need to contribute on the glass.
At the first dead ball timeout Clemson hold Pitt off the offensive glass. Hunter Tyson gets off to a solid start and Brevin Galloway hits from long range. Despite solid defense by the Tigers, Pitt ties the game at 8. Off a scramble for a loose Blake Hinson hits Pittsburgh’s first three. The Panthers show no fear in firing away from deep, so the Tigers must stay with shooters off screens.
Clemson’s Defense Helps Tigers Grab The Lead, but Pitt Fights Back
Ian Schieffelin and Ben Middlebrooks pick up buckets inside, and Clemson’s defense pushes the Tigers lead to eight, 18-10. The Tigers continue to compete well on the glass, and despite a high volume of three pointers, Pittsburgh only makes one.
The lead grows to 10, 27-17, but the Panthers start to find the range from three. Jamarius Burton and Hinson help cut the lead to 33-29, and fouls start to pile up for Clemson as well. The Tigers two point defense remains strong, but the Panthers free throw shooting helps them tie the game at 33.
Pitt will take the lead at the half, 40-38, thanks to 6-16 from the three point line, as well as 12-14 from the line. Two pieces of good news for Clemson: they shoot 14-26, 53.8%, from the field, and they allow just three offensive rebounds. They do shoot just 3-9 from long range, and 7-12 from the line. They must improve both stats to start 5-0 in the ACC for the first time since the 96-97 season.
Clemson Must Keep Pittsburgh Off The Line, Stay Out Foul Trouble
Four Tigers start the second half with two fouls. Schieffelin pick up his third at 17;42 of the second half. The game stays close as Pittsburgh starts 3-7 from the field. Clemson begin the second half 3-9, but they lead in rebounding 24-22. Ben Middlebrooks’ put back and free throw ties the game at 47.
Both teams fire away from the three point range, as Clemson starts 3-4 in the second half from deep. Hunter Tyson and Josh Beadle help the Tigers take the lead back, 53-52. With 11 minutes left, off an offensive rebound, Guillermo Diaz’s three gives Pittsburgh a 57-55 lead.
The Tigers-Panthers battle continues to be even on the glass. Pittsburgh’s offensive rebounding advantage starts to give them open shots from the arc. The Panthers 10 makes from three have them leading 62-59 at the under eight timeout. Hunter Tyson’s foul also puts the Panthers in the one-and-one for the rest of the game.
Can Clemson Defend The Three?
Clemson goes cold from the field, and Schieffelin fouls out with 6:07 left. Pittsburgh’s defense helps stretch lead to 67-59. Burton’s 24 leads all scorers, and he has also added six rebounds and three assists. Chase Hunter’s three pointer ends an eight minute field goal drought for Clemson, and cuts the lead to five.
The Tigers-Panthers battle proves to be every bit as close as expected. Despite the long drought Clemson battles all the way back to take the lead at 71-69. Little used Chauncey Wiggins and Galloway make big shot for the Tigers. Burton puts in his 28th point to tie the game at 71. Hunter’s huge second half continues as he gives Clemson the lead back. Pittsburgh’s Federico Federico cannot put in the alley-oop, after a PJ Hall block led to an offensive rebound and second shot opportunity.
Tyson’s two free throws ultimately seal the game for Clemson. Nike Sibande’s three cut the lead to one, but the Tigers get the ball inbounds to run out the clock. The win puts them in sole possession of first place in the ACC.
Pittsburgh shot 5-13 from three, but they were just 5-9 from the line in the second half. Their struggles with free throw shooting kept Clemson in the game, despite the Tigers going cold from the field. Despite an almost eight minute stretch where Clemson did not make a shot, their defensive intensity remained high. Their ability to battle through an offensive drought led to the victory.
Tigers have Chance To Get off to Best ACC Start Ever
At 5-0 Clemson now ties the 96-97 team for the best start in ACC play ever. They have a chance to start 6-0 against the Louisville Cardinals Wednesday. The Tigers bigger chance for a statement comes Saturday against Duke. Littlejohn always feels different when UNC and Duke visit, and next Saturday should be no exception.
Through the first five games in the ACC Clemson has fought hard on defense and also made timely shots and free throws. They shot 11-12 from the foul line in the second half. They won the rebounding battle 36-35 against an excellent rebounding Pittsburgh team. Hunter, who had not played point guard before, led the Tigers with 17 points.
The Tigers also shot 50% from three 4-8, in the second half. The question now becomes if they can continue to shoot this well. Their ball movement helps find open shots, and open lane for Hall, Hunter, and Tyson. If Clemson continues to play well offensively, then combined with their defense. the Tigers could have a nice run in March.
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