Analyzing Clemson basketball’s 6-1 ACC record: March Madness-bound or false hope?

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CLEMSON — Clemson basketball is off to its best start in ACC play in two seasons.

The Tigers (14-4, 6-1) are tied for second in the ACC standings after defeating Georgia Tech 70-59 on the road Tuesday. Their only conference loss came against Louisville on Jan. 7, but they are in position to land one of the four ACC Tournament quarterfinal byes and make the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season.

Clemson is 36th in the NET rankings, which evaluate a team’s record and résumé and is a critical system used to evaluate March Madness teams, with a 1-2 record against Quadrant 1 opponents and undefeated against Quad 3 and 4 foes. The Tigers’ next test is a Quad 1 game on the road against ACC foe Pitt (12-4, 3-2) on Saturday (noon ET, CW Network) at Petersen Events Center.

Here’s why Clemson basketball is — and isn’t — on the right track with 13 games left in conference play.

Chase Hunter is playing like a superstar for Clemson basketball

Hunter returned for his sixth season to raise his NBA draft stock, and his play has elevated the Tigers. He is averaging 18.4 points (eighth in the ACC), shooting 50%, including 46.2% from 3-point range (first), with 2.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists over seven conference games.

Hunter, a preseason second-team All-ACC selection, has led Clemson in scoring in five of its conference games and has made critical baskets and impactful plays. He has improved his scoring and shooting from last season and is one of the reasons why Clemson is among the top teams in the ACC.

MORE: Will Clemson basketball’s Chase Hunter, Ian Schieffelin be taken in NBA draft? Analysts weigh in

Clemson basketball has one of ACC’s top defenses

Clemson allows 63.7 points per game, the second fewest in the ACC — only trailing ACC leader No. 3 Duke. After being a more offensive-driven team, the Tigers turned into a defensive-minded group with the additions of Boston College transfer guard Jaeden Zackery and Cincinnati transfer center Viktor Lakhin.

These transfers helped…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/analyzing-clemson-basketballs-6-1-173401638.html

Author : Greenville News

Publish date : 2025-01-15 17:34:00

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