Clemson Tigers
ACC (19-13, 9-9)
After a 1-5 start in ACC play, Clemson finally started winning some conference games. This was not a group that pulled off many wins over top teams, with their lone win against a team ranked at the time coming against Virginia Tech. The Tigers did, for the most part, beat the teams they should beat and that is enough to earn a trip to the NIT.
Big Wins: 12/22 at South Carolina (78-68), 2/9 Virginia Tech (59-51), 3/9 Syracuse (67-55)
Bad Losses: 11/26 Nebraska (66-68), 1/26 at NC State (67-69), 2/13 at Miami (64-65)
Coach: Brad Brownell
Why They Can Surprise:
Clemson will stay close in most games because of their defense. This group lost by two points or less to Nebraska, North Carolina State, Louisville and North Carolina. The Tigers have proven that they can compete with just about anybody and that is largely due to their senior leadership. Marcquise Reed is the team’s top scorer, averaging 19.3 points in addition to his 3.1 assists and 2.2 steals. Backcourt mate and fellow senior Shelton Mitchell dishes out 3.0 assists per game and adds 11.5 points. David Skara and Elijah Thomas are experienced players in the frontcourt. Thomas is a fine interior scoring threat and the team’s top rebounder and shot blocker.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The Tigers do need to be more consistent scoring the basketball though. Reed, Mitchel and Thomas form a good scoring trio, but the depth has not been there for Clemson to win games down the stretch. Forwards Aamir Simms and David Skara were decent scoring threats early in the season, but have not done all that much in ACC play. Sophomore guard Clyde Trapp has also seen his scoring dip in the last two months. But all three of those players can add instant offense because of their ability to hit the long ball. If Simms, Skara and Trapp can at least be a threat to shoot the ball in the NCAA Tournament, Clemson could win a game or two.
Probable Starters:
Marcquise Reed, Senior, Guard, 19.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.2 spg
Shelton Mitchell, Senior, Guard, 11.5 ppg, 3.0 apg
David Skara, Senior, Forward, 7.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg
Aamir Simms, Sophomore, Forward, 8.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg
Elijah Thomas, Senior, Forward, 13.0 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.2 bpg
Key Role Players:
Hunter Tyson, Freshman, Forward, 1.7 ppg
Clyde Trapp, Sophomore, Guard, 5.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg
John Newman, Freshman, Guard, 1.9 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 69.4 (265th in nation, 12th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 64.0 (25, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.6 (107, 6)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.5 (28, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.4 (301, 13)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 32.7 (266, 8)
Free-Throw Percentage: 73.6 (80, 7)
Rebound Margin: 3.5 (74, 7)
Assists Per Game: 12.3 (263, 12)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.4 (225, 12)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over New Mexico State |
| 2018 | NCAA | Round of 32 win over Auburn |
| 2018 | NCAA | Regional Semifinal loss to Kansas |
| 2017 | NIT | First Round loss to Oakland |
| 2014 | NIT | First Round win over Georgia State |
| 2014 | NIT | Second Round win over Illinois |
| 2014 | NIT | Regional Final win over Belmont |
| 2014 | NIT | Semifinal loss to SMU |
| 2011 | NCAA | Opening Round win over UAB |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to West Virginia |
| 2010 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Missouri |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Michigan |
| 2008 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Villanova |
| 2007 | NIT | First Round win over East Tennessee State |
| 2007 | NIT | Second Round win over Mississippi |
| 2007 | NIT | Quarterfinal win over Syracuse |
| 2007 | NIT | Semifinal win over Air Force |
| 2007 | NIT | Final loss to West Virginia |
*all team stats through 3/10
