Tigers Start 3-0 in ACC if Big Three Leads the Way
The Tigers will start 3-0 in the ACC for the the first time since 2017-18 if the Tigers defeat NC State today. The Tigers are led by a big three of Chase Hunter, PJ Hall, and Hunter Tyson. How well they defend a high octane Wolf Pack offense, and slow the pace, also will be key. Rebounding and not committing live ball turnovers also matters against a team that likes to run.
Tigers decide to not crash the offensive boards and force NC State to play against a set defense. The Wolf Pack rebound well early and tie the game at the first break. Alex Hemmenway’s injury forces Clemson to find three point shooting other players, Tyson and Hunter, in particular.
State now takes a 12-7 lead behind Casey Morsell’s seven early points. The Tigers respond to the 9-0 run by getting two straight stops, cutting the lead to one at the under 12 timeout. So far Clemson has not turned the ball over, a good sign for defending the Wolf Pack.
Good, Bad Signs For Clemson Late in First Half
The good news for Clemson in the first half: NC State is only 1-8 from three, 5-20 overall. Clemson’s offense so far: 1-5 from three, 5-21 overall from the field. The Tigers three leading scorers now with three field goals, after Hunter Tyson hits from long range. Tarquavion Smith hits a three to cut the lead to two.
Just two turnovers combined for both teams. Better rebounding by the Tigers allows them to push their lead to six. The Wolf Pack’s defense continues to be stout as well. The two teams combined are shooting just 26.3%, 15-58 with three minutes left in the half. Clemson leads by just three despite a 2-19 stretch shooting for NC State.
30.3% shooting, 5-19 from their three leading scorers for Clemson, and yet the Tigers lead 28-21 at the half. Clemson forced the Wolf Pack into late shot clock offense. After trailing on the boards early Clemson leads NC State 25-23 at the half. The Tigers also committed just two first half turnovers.
Can Clemson Continue Their Defensive Pressure?
If NC State wants to win on the road they must improve their ball and player movement on offense. Clemson’s pressure on the ball and getting back in transition has the Wolf Pack out of sorts. Still they hang around because of Clemson’s tough evening shooting.
Wolf Pack coach Kevin Keats picks up a technical foul after NC State’s center DJ Burns picks up his fourth foul. Tyson now leads all scorers with 13, hitting a three to stretch the lead to 13, 37-24. Five quick by State points cut the lead to eight at the under 16 timeout. State looks to speed Clemson up and find easier shots to cut into the lead.
Six straight points by Tyson pushes the lead to 11 after an 8-0 State run. Tyson’s putting together his best game of the season, 19 points, 11 rebounds. He also has 14 of Clemson’s 15 second half points so far.
Who Will Help Tyson On Offense For Clemson?
Tyson answers a Wolf Pack basket with another three. Clemson starts 3-0 in the ACC for the first time since 2017-18 if it they can find enough other contributors on offense. Their defense is more than good enough, as the Wolf Pack is just 12-47, 25.5% from the field for the game.
Hunter and Hall answer a bit of ragged play to keep the lead in double figures, 51-40. Tyson matches his career high with 24 with two free throws. He also continues to keep the Wolf Pack of the offensive glass. He grabs his 14th rebound and Josh Beadle gets a tough and one to extend the lead to 58-46.
Burns immediately scores after coming back into the game. Just as quickly he fouls out, picking up his fifth against Hunter. Still the lead shrinks to six, but Tyson makes another huge shot from deep. Ben Middlebrooks also has helped pick up some offensive slack with eight points of the bench.
Tigers Must Protect The Ball Down The Stretch
State has sped up the Tigers at times in the second half, leading to five second half turnovers for Clemson. State again gets the lead down to five with a three by Morsell. Middlebrooks hits two free throws for a career high 10 points. The Wolf Pack misses on several good looks to cut into the lead.
A technical and common foul on Morsell after he and Dillon Hunter are tangled up. He hits both, and Tyson adds the technicals to push the lead to 11. Dillon makes an acrobatic lay up to push the lead to 13, 74-61. Chase puts the exclamation point on it with a windmill dunk.
Tyson’s Career High 31 Helps Clemson Start 3-0 in the ACC
Tyson shot 9-13 overall, 4-5 from three, for the game. Clemson came into the game leading the ACC in three point shooting as a team at 39.4%. They shot just 6-20, 2-15 from players other than Tyson, against the Wolf Pack.
Next up for Tigers will be a big road test against Virginia Tech. The Hokies took a surprising loss to the Boston College Eagles nine days ago. It was just Tech’s second loss of the season. The Tigers defense must be as stingy as it was tonight while they also must have better shot selection than they showed in late stretches of the second half. Win Wednesday and Clemson will be in the conversation for a NCAA tournament berth.
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