THE BASICS
Syracuse hosts Clemson today at noon after coming off a 94-92 squeaker over Louisville Wednesday night.
Clemson? They beat UNC on Tuesday after a struggle of a start to ACC play.
The Tigers are ranked 32nd in KenPom, come in with the 17th best offense and 77th best defense in the country, have some size, and bring with them the familiar Joe Girard.
This is a big game for both teams - Clemson can NOT afford to lose this game if they want to make an NCAA Tournament push and if Syracuse wants to somehow claw their way back into consideration…a win here would be a big part of that.
Keys for Syracuse?
Limit Clemson on the offensive glass/inside - with Hall, Schieffelin, and company inside…and Syracuse’s thin front line…containing the glass will be even more big in this one
Find a way to turn the Tigers over. Clemson takes good care of the ball with their experienced guards. Syracuse will have to turn them over to limit their offensive production.
Make shots. We all saw what happens when someone makes shots. Syracuse will need to hit 3s or it will be ugly.
ABOUT THE TIGERS
Non-Conference Wins: (7) Alabama, (29) TCU, (46) South Carolina, (51) Boise State, (117) Davidson, (125) UAB, (146) Winthrop, (201) Radford, (274) Queens, (315) Alcorn State
Non-Conference Losses: (77) Memphis
ACC Wins: (8) UNC, (64) Pittsburgh, (81) Florida State, (92) Boston College, (173) Louisville
ACC Losses: (8) UNC, (15) Duke, (58) Virginia Tech, (50) Virginia, (74) Miami, (138) Georgia Tech
What are they good at (Top 5 in ACC games)
1st - Offensive Turnover Rate
2nd - Offensive Rebound Rate
2nd - Free Throw %
3rd - Offensive Efficiency
5th - Offensive Free Throw Rate
What are they not good at (Bottom 5 in ACC games)
15th - 3 Point%
14th - Defensive Turnover Rate
13th - Defensive Efficiency
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