9 Wins in a Row Now! Just like with SMU, the Clemson Tigers had another high scoring unit playing in the mud on Saturday afternoon, holding the Miami Hurricanes under 60 when they came in averaging just under 90 points a game. Clemson’s balanced attack was once again on display, with Carter Welling leading the […]
9 Wins in a Row Now!
Just like with SMU, the Clemson Tigers had another high scoring unit playing in the mud on Saturday afternoon, holding the Miami Hurricanes under 60 when they came in averaging just under 90 points a game. Clemson’s balanced attack was once again on display, with Carter Welling leading the way with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Clemson’s ability to not turn the ball over and consistently get good shots has opponents playing against a set defense nearly every possession of a game, and then the Tigers typically force teams into trying to win with one on one basketball. Some teams may have enough juice in that regard to be successful, but even Miami who came in with 4 players averaging at least 12.8 per game struggled to consistently attack the defense. Star freshman forward Shelton Henderson got loose for 22 points, but leading scorer Malik Reneau was held to 9 under his average and fouled out of the game with just under 4 minutes to play. Miami’s other star Tre Donaldson had Justin Porter, Dillon Hunter, and Ace Buckner taking turns making his life miserable, as he finished with just 4 points on 2-10 shooting.
Clemson put together a workman-like first half and shot the ball well from 3 while turning the Hurricanes over multiple times to stake a 35-26 lead at the break. After Nick Davidson’s big performance vs. Boston College on Wednesday, it was Carter Welling’s turn to put up double figures in the first half complete with 2 made 3 pointers as part of that effort.
Clemson made sure to keep Miami at arms length after halftime, never letting the Hurricanes get back within three possessions. Jake Welling brought a sold out Littlejohn to full throat when he drove the lane for a monstrous two hand dunk. Welling would follow that shortly thereafter with a 3 pointer to prompt a timeout from Miami. While he finished with just 8 points, they were all impactful.
Clemson’s big men continued to put on a masterclass of unselfish play to attack whatever defense the Hurricanes tried to throw out there. The high/low action was punishing the man to man and creating foul issues, and the 1-3-1 zone was only slightly more successful in causing issues for the Tigers. Jestin Porter and Dillon Hunter helped close things out vs. the final run attempt by Miami. Porter beat the shot clock with a tough fadeaway in the paint, while Hunter did the same on a baseline fadeaway before he drilled what would be the dagger from 3 with just under 2 minutes to go. Hunter would finish with only 7 points, but 5 during that critical stretch and a team high 7 assists to just 2 turnovers.
Clemson improves to 16-3 and a perfect 6-0 in the ACC while Miami drops to 15-3 and 4-1. The Tigers will now welcome NCSU to Littlejohn on Tuesday. The Pack just suffered an upset loss at home to Georgia Tech, but will feature a capable roster led by Clemson alum and former staffer Will Wade. Wade led his McNeese State squad to a first round upset of Clemson last season. The Pack are 12-6 and 3-2 in ACC play, but offer another Quad 1 opportunity at the moment.
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Category: General Sports
