Clemson, SC
Clemson and Virginia Tech both come into tonight’s contest literally looking for an identity, and answers to a bevy of questions. Combined the two teams bring back two starters and or veterans with any significant playing time. Brad Brownell and his team fresh off a Gold Medal performance in this summers World University Games has the needle pointing into a more optimistic direction than most expected at this point Again this was all before tonight game here in Littlejohn Coliseum. With an injection of much needed athleticism and size via two transfers the missing piece that was Clyde Trapp may have been accounted for . With the additions of Tevin Mack and Khavon Moore to this lineup the Tigers were able to find some much needed on court experience. Add that to vets Amir Sims and John Newman and it’s a lineup that starts too present matchup issues that the Tigers did not have available to them prior to these transfers. Dawes and Hunter also seem to present a unique combo at the guard position and play with youthful intensity.
On this opening night, in the first half saw the Tigers led by Dawes build leads of up to 5 points and the Hokies would keep chipping away. As the Second half started the Tigers tried to get off to a fast start only to go cold on at the basket and the Hokies stayed right with the Tigers and at the 9 minute mark it was still a two point game. With the score 48-46 and both teams having issues from the field and the foul line. A first half that saw a lot of scoring slowed considerably here in the latter half of the game. Clemson saw Tevin Mack climb into double figures with his effort and was a big factor on the boards as well. Both teams seemed to try to take advantage of the 3 point shooting but neither could seem to find the mark.
Th Hokies were able to overcome the Tigers after Clemson went cold both from the floor and the charity stripe. The Techsters were able to build up a 5 point lead with less than 4 minutes left and then held on for the win. The Tigers in the second half seemed confused at times and the youth and lack of experience in the front court was obvious. Now 0-1 overall and 0-1 in the ACC Brownell and company will have to maximize its efforts moving forward as this was a game the Tigers were favored to win. ACC wins in any year are hard to come by …and losses at home, to teams you are favored to defeat, can’t happen… This is going to be an intriguing year… and if Clemson can grow and develop this youthful team with an accelerated ACC schedule already in play is the question at hand for Brownell and staff.
Until then it’s back to the practice courts and ready for PC on Thursday.
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