Shakin The Southland - All PostsOrange And White Without The Goggleshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52538/shakin_fav.png2024-03-18T07:48:00-04:00http://www.shakinthesouthland.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T07:48:00-04:002024-03-18T07:48:00-04:00Clemson Basketball Earns 6-Seed, Will Face New Mexico Lobos
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: ACC Conference Tournament Second Round-Boston College vs Clemson" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/d23eVGDomyXiRr3sINEbOpVJi7k=/1x0:3909x2605/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214719/usa_today_22767468.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Despite a 1-4 finish, Clemson hung onto a six-seed.</p> <p id="yqkstI"><strong>Clemson (6-seed) vs. New Mexico (11-seed)</strong></p>
<p id="idXCGA"><strong>When: </strong>Friday, 3:10pm<br><strong>Where: </strong>FedEx Forum - Memphis, TN<br><strong>TV: </strong>TRUtv</p>
<p id="OIF98m">Did Clemson basketball finally catch a break?</p>
<p id="bpvWhO">New Mexico is a more than worthy opponent, but Clemson fans have to be pleased to see a six rather than a seven or eight next to their team’s name. After losing three of their last four games, two of which were their worst losses of the year (sans <a href="https://www.fromtherumbleseat.com">Georgia Tech</a> at home), it seemed like the sky was falling. </p>
<p id="3WtTWV">Fortunately, the committee was consistent. Last year, Clemson had a strong ACC regular season, but didn’t accomplish much in non-conference play and had two bad losses (U of SC and Loyola-Chicago). There was seemingly an over-emphasis on non-conference play and the Tigers were left out. Now, the scenario is reversed. Clemson had a spectacular non-conference performance with wins over four NCAA tournament teams (Alabama, U of SC, <a href="https://www.frogsowar.com">TCU</a>, and Boise [play-in game]), but was 11-9 in the ACC plus a 10th loss in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/acc-basketball-tournament">ACC tournament</a>. They went from 11-1 to 21-11 meaning they finished 10-10. Consistent with last year, the committee avoided recency bias and heavily weighed non-conference play. As a result, Clemson is in a strong position as a six-seed.</p>
<p id="yOsJnH">It is hard to complain, but the Tigers drew by far the highest ranked 11-seed (per KenPom). New Mexico is ranked No. 23 while the other 11-seeds rank 55 (Oregon), 58 (<a href="https://www.backingthepack.com/">NC State</a>), and 86 (Duquesne). </p>
<p id="gNVDk4">Nevertheless, there are several things to feel good about. One is the location. The game is hosted in the FedEx Forum in Memphis. Clemson has already played there once this year. Hopefully, that helps alleviate some of the big game nerves playing in an NBA arena. </p>
<p id="UtHDxj">The Tigers and Lobos have very contrasting styles, which should make for a fun game. The Lobos have a great defense and want to play fast. They want to get steals and blocks (which they do in spades) and then go, go go. Their average possession length is the 12th shortest in the nation. They are not a good 3-point shooting team and their bigs are not prolific scorers. If the Tigers can slow this game down, they’ll have a major advantage advantage.</p>
<p id="h2ftXs">New Mexico has two guards to watch out for. Jaelen House is a 6-foot senior guard who averages 16.1 ppg and just went off for 28 in the MWC Championship, and Jamal Mashburn Jr. (son of NBA All-Star) who averages 14.4 and had 21 in that MWC Championship win. The latter of course elicits painful flashbacks from the 2021 NCAA tournament when Ron Harper Jr. helped lead <a href="https://www.onthebanks.com">Rutgers</a> over Clemson. Nonetheless, New Mexico really needs their guards to outplay Clemson’s guards. This highlights the importance of Chase Hunter playing well. Clemson is a top-25 caliber team when he plays well, but gets blown out by Boston College when he doesn’t (he went 0-10 from the field).</p>
<p id="BP2d7K">Clemson obviously needs to play better than they have the past four games, but this looks on paper to be a solid matchup for the Tigers. KenPom has the Lobos ranked 23rd, and gives them a 55% chance to beat Clemson. I’m not sure I buy it. The committee gave bids to six teams from the <a href="https://www.mwcconnection.com">Mountain West</a> compared to just four for the ACC, but I still have a hard time believing it. It seems like a soft non-conference schedule in which New Mexico went 0-1 against top 90 teams makes them hard to read.</p>
<p id="tn9x1v">I entered Selection Sunday feeling pessimistic. I fully expected to see the Tigers as a 7-seed paired up with a high-major opponent like <a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com">Michigan State</a> or Colorado. I was not feeling good about how this season appeared poised to end. Now, I have new life. The postseason is everything in college basketball. This isn’t (pre-playoff expansion) college football where people talk about how many regular season games you won. The next few games determine your legacy in college basketball.</p>
<p id="ysX9AT">In my season preview, I argued that a successful season would be determined by whether or not they make the NCAA tournament AND advance to the Round of 32. They’ve only done that five times ever. I believe there’s a better than 50-50 shot they do it now, and if postseason success really determines legacy, that means they’ll prove themselves to be one of the six best teams in school history.</p>
<p id="lWd1cW">For more, check out <a href="https://youtu.be/QmRbAJgvSEA">my video</a> (sponsored by the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Respian-Man-Kingdom-Infinity-Kindgom/dp/B0CTL8XDZ5?tag=sbnation-20" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Respian Man adventure novel</a>).</p>
https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2024/3/18/24104462/clemson-basketball-earns-6-seed-will-face-new-mexico-lobosRyan Kantor2024-03-13T23:52:20-04:002024-03-13T23:52:20-04:00Clemson Basketball: So we’re doing this again?
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: ACC Conference Tournament Second Round-Boston College vs Clemson" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qQ3yXTlHpiDWT3RQA3sXnTqwbgc=/0x0:3639x2426/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73205852/usa_today_22766016.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="rpDik7">Look, I’ve held my tongue when writing this year. I try to stay on point, and focus on the game and not get lost in the greater realities and feelings I have in the moment that buzzer sounds. But at some point, things need to be said. And it’s not so rosy tonight.</p>
<p id="9sN3nx">The “best” basketball roster that <strong>Brad Brownell </strong>assembled, coached and preached to the public that would change the course of the program....just got slaughtered in the 2nd round of the ACC Tournament. 76-55. They lost by 21 points, were held under 60 and were absolutely mauled on the boards with an all ACC center and an the ACC most improved player on the blocks. Let that sink in. </p>
<p id="80Bzv9">The regular season ends 21-11. Over the last 14 years we’ve been spoon fed mediocrity, so on the surface a sure fire tournament appearance looks amazing. Any 20 plus win year with a chance to go to the dance normally gets a “nice” out of the casual Clemson basketball fan.</p>
<p id="6A549z">But not this year.</p>
<p id="l3zMGU">A loss next week would make this team....”the best team since 97” billed by some......end the season as <strong>just average. </strong></p>
<p id="fmFzXa">The best pure Center, the most improved player, the 3rd best 3 point shooter in <strong>ACC History </strong>with another veteran guard who could score in 2023. In the beginning there looked to be depth, there looked to be offense. There looked to be some real hope and optimism. But here we are.</p>
<p id="TLwHn9">Just. Average. </p>
<p id="eJida8">There is no reason to recap the stats. Clemson was punished in every category, the looked lethargic, made juvenile (as in worse than JV) mistakes that shouldn’t happen with the type of seniority on this team. Much less at this point in the season. </p>
<p id="wxXWZt">There is still one chance left to make a mark. Get to the second weekend of the tournament and this writer will gladly take the “L” in overreaction of a special season. But lose next week, and especially if your rival excels, then the conversation needs to move to why did this happen and what should be done about it. </p>
<p id="AvOKZ8">But we’ll leave that answer for a later date. </p>
<p id="aF1ett">Go Tigers </p>
<p id="6pmaL1"></p>
https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2024/3/13/24100343/clemson-basketball-so-were-doing-this-againHouston_Burnett2024-03-11T16:11:14-04:002024-03-11T16:11:14-04:00ACC Basketball Tournament Preview: Clemson Tigers
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<figcaption>Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Clemson Tigers seek their first-ever ACC tournament championship in what could be one of their last years in the conference.</p> <p id="8vF4AF">In 13 seasons as Head Coach, Brad Brownell has never won multiple games in the ACC tournament. More broadly, Clemson has never won the ACC tournament which goes all the way back to 1954. Will this year bring anything different? Here’s the set-up:</p>
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<p id="m5gkJ7">If Clemson had beaten Notre Dame or Wake Forest, they would have been the 4-seed and only need to win three games to capture the tournament championship. Because they lost two of their final three games, Pittsburgh (12-8) surpassed them. At 11-9, Clemson finished in a three-way tie with Wake Forest and Syracuse and landed as the 6-seed.</p>
<p id="T29iqi">The Tigers will rest on Tuesday while the 10-15 seeds battle and then play the winner of no. 11 Boston College vs. no. 14 Miami. Clemson beat a short-handed Boston College squad early in ACC play in their only matchup while splitting a pair of games against Miami.</p>
<p id="wAC0m5">Miami is probably the biggest disappointment in the ACC this year. They reached the Final Four last year and while a step back was expected, they still returned a ton of talent. That includes Norchad Omier, a 6-7 Nicaraguan who is averaging 17.0 points and 9.9 rebounds per game despite giving up several inches to the conference’s top big men and talented point guard Nijel Pack. The Hurricanes started ACC play at 2-0 including an offensive explosion vs. Clemson. From there, they stumbled to 15-7 (6-5), but still seemed like a quality team. Then they lost nine straight to end the season at 15-16 (6-14). Among those losses are 8 and 10-point defeats at the hands of the Boston College Eagles.</p>
<p id="aVK9eT">Boston College is coming off back-to-back wins, albeit against the no. 14 (Miami) and no. 15 (Louisville) teams in the conference. BC 7-footer Quinten Post has scored 83 points and corralled 37 rebounds over his past four games. He has only missed one game this season and it came against Clemson. I expect to see him on Wednesday after Boston College dispatches a Miami team that is playing well-below their talent level.</p>
<p id="N1ij9B">As mentioned, Coach Brownell has never strung together multiple ACC tournament wins. In fact, there have only been three seasons that included multiple postseason wins of any sort (including the NIT).</p>
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<p id="OFL4xL">Whenever a sport has a large playoff system (e.g., college football starting next season, all US pro sports, and in the most extreme version, the NCAA basketball tournament) the point of the regular season is simply to position yourself for success in the postseason. Clemson has done that somewhat well this year. Obviously, the difference between a 4-seed and a 5 or 6-seed in the ACC and NCAA tournaments is huge. Nevertheless, they’ve still earned one bye in the ACC tournament and a good enough seed in the NCAA tournament to likely draw an 11 or 12-seed that either won a weak conference or had to slog through a play-in game. How we measure the success of this season will depend on what happens next.</p>
<p id="usekMY">I am looking for three more wins out of this team. If they can manage three total post-season wins, my heart will be content. </p>
<p id="1WZzAJ">The first opportunity will come on Wednesday at 9pm vs. Boston College. This is a must-win game for Clemson to feel comfortable holding onto the NCAA 5-seed they’re currently projected for. It could be the difference between playing a 12-seed like Princeton or a considerably tougher 11-seed like St. John’s or Villanova. </p>
<p id="5mPiDf">If Clemson advances, they’ll have Virginia waiting. Virginia already beat Clemson once this season. The Cavs have Clemson’s number in the most severe sense. That game won’t tip until 9:30pm (if they’re running on time) and will likely be a low-scoring battle. It was 66-65 the last time the two teams met. I can’t in good faith recommend staying awake for that one, but if Clemson is to win it, they’ll essentially lock up no worse than a 5-seed in the NCAA tournament and (assuming Duke beats Syracuse/NCSU/UL) have a chance to avenge the unfair, unjust, and frankly gross loss they endured in Durham. Duke has four wins (Michigan State, Baylor, Clemson, and Wake Forest) against teams in the KenPom top 45— the same number as Clemson. I don’t believe in this Duke team and think Clemson or UNC will eliminate them from this tournament.</p>
<p id="7T8KlE">North Carolina will likely await in the championship game. They’re currently on a 6-game win streak and earlier won 8-straight ACC games. I believe they’re the best team in the conference and will win the tournament and (if given a reasonable draw) will make an NCAA tournament run.</p>
<p id="qIBBz4"><strong>Expectation: </strong>Defeat Boston College on Wednesday, wake up to see we lost 69-62 to Virginia</p>
<p id="px8y8e"><strong>Hope: </strong>Defeat Boston College, find a way to reach 70 and beat Virginia, avenge the loss to Duke, and reach the ACC Championship game. Anything can happen in a one game.</p>
<p id="OWjzWz"><strong>Other games to keep an eye on: </strong><br>Tuesday 7pm ACCN - <strong>Boston College vs. Miami</strong> (winner plays Clemson)<br>Thursday 2:30pm ESPN2 - <strong>Pittsburgh vs. Wake Forest</strong> (assuming Wake Forest wins on Wednesday, it will set-up what appears to be an NCAA tournament play-in game).</p>
<p id="saJbGB"></p>
https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2024/3/11/24095669/acc-basketball-tournament-preview-clemson-tigersRyan Kantor2024-03-09T21:53:29-05:002024-03-09T21:53:29-05:00Clemson falls short at Wake Forest in regular-season finale
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Clemson at Georgia Tech" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WB3qMG58mnys7dna9ILZHfJ2xRU=/0x0:5025x3350/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73195132/usa_today_22580607.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Demon Deacons outlasted the Tigers with hot shooting down the stretch.</p> <p id="fzA7Fu">Hunter Sallis scored 22 points, Andrew Carr added 17 and Wake Forest outlasted Clemson 81-76 on Saturday night.</p>
<p id="FuLh2C">The Demon Deacons stretched a close game out to a 22-16 lead on a Cameron Hildreth jumper with 8:42 remaining in the first half, but a Jack Clark 3-pointer capped a 10-2 Clemson run to take the lead at the 4:45 mark.</p>
<p id="nyB620">Wake then put together a 10-2 run of its own to close the first half with a 34-28 lead. The Tigers stormed back to grab a 40-39 lead, however, capped by another three by Clark and maintained a lead until the 10-minute mark when Parker Friedrichsen’s only basket of the game pushed the Deacs ahead 53-52.</p>
<p id="xASley">Wake would never surrender the lead again — at one point made 11 straight field-goal attempts — and held off the Tigers for the five-point win.</p>
<p id="knaZv0">PJ Hall lead Clemson with 18 points, while Chase Hunter and Joe Girard chipped in 17 and 14, respectively.</p>
https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2024/3/9/24095923/clemson-falls-short-at-wake-forest-in-regular-season-finaleJayIngles2024-03-09T16:02:48-05:002024-03-09T16:02:48-05:00Clemson at Wake Forest for the ACC 4-Seed
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<img alt="Clemson v Virginia Tech" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zb8A2GmZHO_SMO_79hQjfIkNoeI=/0x0:5183x3455/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73194768/1246008351.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ryan Hunt/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Clemson concludes the ACC regular season with a huge matchup that will determine who gets the double-bye in Washington D.C.</p> <p id="gGjhPn"><strong>Clemson 21-9 (11-8) at Wake Forest 18-12 (10-9)</strong></p>
<p id="GeaMQL"><strong>When: </strong>6:00pm<br><strong>Where: </strong>Lawrence Joel Memorial Coliseum - Winston-Salem, NC<br><strong>TV: </strong>ACCN</p>
<p id="nKuzx1">The Clemson Tigers, now up to #23 in KenPom, have a lot on the line in their final game of the season. After losing at Notre Dame, the Tigers bounced back to beat Syracuse and are 7-2 over their past nine games. Had they beaten Notre Dame, they’d have clinched the 4-seed in the ACC, but as it stands, Clemson needs to win this game to clinch.</p>
<p id="4nRwXa">The 4-seed is incredibly valuable as it provides two byes in the tournament allowing the team to rest on Tuesday and Wednesday and only have to win three in a row. Clemson has not won more than three ACC games consecutively all season so getting the 4-seed is imperative to the Tigers chance to win the event.</p>
<p id="c4A9da">Wake Forest has looked like an NCAA tournament team for most of the year, and still ranks #25 in KenPom, but are in the midst of a nasty collapsing. They have lost three-straight including a last-second home loss to Georgia Tech. That loss came largely due to a horrendous missed call. Wake Forest held a 1-point lead in the final minute when a Georgia Tech player fell to the ground with possession of the basketball. Instead of a travel, a held ball was called and it allowed Tech to retain possession. With 3.5 seconds left, they inbounded to their excellent freshman post-player, Baye Ndongo, who lofted up a game-winning hook shot with only 0.4 seconds remaining. </p>
<p id="61fKdi">Thanks to the losing steak, Wake Forest finds their NCAA tournament hopes on life support. A fourth-straight loss and second straight home loss might spell doom for their chances at an at-large bid. Because of that, this game may be even bigger for them.</p>
<p id="NHXMnS">Hunter Sallis is the name to know for Wake Forest. He averages 18 points and 35 minutes per games. The 6-foot-5 wing should draw Jack Clark defensively. It will be fun to see if he can shut him down. Of course, that matchup will go a long way in determining the winner.</p>
https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2024/3/9/24095668/clemson-at-wake-forest-for-the-acc-4-seedRyan Kantor2024-03-05T21:24:12-05:002024-03-05T21:24:12-05:00Seniors Lead Clemson to 90-75 Win Against Syracuse
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<img alt="Syracuse v Clemson" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HjkxqotAG7c9X_Ho3eB_sqpnBwY=/0x1:8063x5376/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73185217/2061869570.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Tigers got an excellent showing from their graduating seniors against the Orange.</p> <p id="f2oRtv">A ridiculous 21 first-half points from PJ Hall propelled Clemson to a 90-75 win over Syracuse on Tuesday, completing their season sweep of the Orange.</p>
<p id="1jbkjp">Both teams traded buckets in the opening minutes before Hall hit his first five shots, taking Clemson to an 18-9 lead almost entirely on his shooting. Syracuse would claw back, cutting the lead to as little as 2 points with just under five minutes to play. From there the Orange would go cold, committing several turnovers with no field goals, while Clemson would stretch the lead back out to ten.</p>
<p id="kdihAP">The Tigers would finish the half with a loud Chase Hunter dunk and a 12-point lead.</p>
<p id="Jrfe6D">Syracuse found 5 straight points out of the break before Clemson responded with 3-pointers from Hunter, Girard, Schieffelin, and Clark. Another big 3 by Chase Hunter pushed the lead to 68-54 with 8 minutes to go, and the Tigers were firmly in control.</p>
<p id="z9fdY7">Syracuse wouldn’t go away quietly, working the deficit back down to 9 points before Girard was fouled on yet another 3-pointer. Predictably, he drained the free throw and completed the 4-point play.</p>
<p id="j2H70K">The Orange steadily chipped in shots but couldn’t keep pace with Clemson’s shooting. In one energetic sequence, Schieffelin grabbed a rebound and fired a deep pass to Hall for the emphatic dunk - moments later he beat the Syracuse press again with a nearly identical assist to Hunter’s dunk.</p>
<p id="Hi9KlB">Even though Syracuse kept nipping at their heels, the Tigers responded over and over with big plays to maintain their grip on the game throughout the night. It was an excellent showing from the seniors especially, as Hall, Hunter, Clark, and Girard combined for 70 of Clemson’s 90 points. Schieffelin was phenomenal and played like a senior himself, going 5-5 on field goals and collecting an impressive 16 rebounds.</p>
<p id="eGe9p3">Clemson faces Wake Forest for their regular season finale on Saturday.</p>
https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2024/3/5/24091850/seniors-lead-clemson-to-90-75-win-against-syracuseWill_Harper2024-03-04T20:49:19-05:002024-03-04T20:49:19-05:00Clemson Basketball Preview: Syracuse
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Syracuse at Duke" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/punx8JMrMkopsjPac5CiN0354gk=/0x0:4376x2917/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73182663/usa_today_17546118.5.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="DWikDu">Again, we come in to a home game asking “Which Clemson team will show up? Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde?”</p>
<p id="6yxwOd">The cynical and skeptical fans are largely prepared for a dog fight for 40 minutes on Tuesday night. However, there is reason to believe Clemson could once again look like a promising tournament team in its final home game of the season.</p>
<p id="NS3ttd">If you need a reset from the last game, Clemson defeated Syracuse in the Dome back on February 10th. The Tigers lit up on offense shooting 60% and Joe Girard made his return home by leading all scorers with 18. The Tiger defense was able to put the clamps on Syracuse, holding them to 39.7% shooting for the night. </p>
<p id="vzmnIb">For the Orange, Judah Mintz, Syracuse’s leading scorer, was held under his season average at 14 points. The Tigers also controlled the glass. Syracuse, who normally averages around 33 rebounds a game was held to 24, getting dominated on the glass by the Tigers.</p>
<p id="x9wMMn">For the Tigers, controlling the glass will once again be imperative. The biggest question will be if Jack Clark is available to help do so. He was one of two players with 10 rebounds in these teams first matchup a few weeks ago, and if you haven’t seen the disparity of when Clark is playing for the Tigers, it’s staggering. Additionally, Clemson starting five with Jack Clark on the court is one of the best lineups in all of college basketball.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The top lineups by 'Net Rating' among Power 6 teams for their In-Conference games (min. 100 MP): <a href="https://t.co/CG7EyqLthf">pic.twitter.com/CG7EyqLthf</a></p>— CBB Analytics (@CBBAnalytics) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBBAnalytics/status/1764694505976943018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2024</a>
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<p id="DbHs3m">PJ Hall needs another solid game, one where he controls the inside. I get he wants to shoot 3’s, but at this point of the season it needs to be about what works the best to set your team up for a win. The Clemson bigs need to assert themselves once again. </p>
<p id="R5yvuC">Lastly, Joe Girard could go out as a forever Clemson fan favorite (if he already isn’t) with a big performance on Senior Day tomorrow. To have the chance to stick it to his old club in his last home game would be a pretty special feat.</p>
<p id="UyzK80">Let’s see how this one goes. </p>
<p id="6zjEYQ">Go Tigers!</p>
https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2024/3/4/24090842/clemson-basketball-preview-syracuseHouston_Burnett2024-03-04T18:33:12-05:002024-03-04T18:33:12-05:00Clemson takes two to win baseball series vs South Carolina
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<img alt="Syndication: The Greenville News" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iQw4zGQ9gZ-TaqmBTQyfWYmMYlQ=/0x0:3715x2477/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73182499/usa_today_22685976.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>MCKENZIE LANGE/ Staff / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>With Friday’s game being postponed due to weather, Clemson will have to wait to go for the sweep. </p> <p id="wAlDBw"><strong>Game 1: Postponed</strong></p>
<p id="OYhSDp">Friday night’s series opener at South Carolina’s Founders Park was postponed due to the torrential rain that was hitting the midlands. A makeup date has not been announced yet, but it will probably be a midweek date in April. </p>
<p id="eHXgRr"><strong>Game 2: Clemson 5 South Carolina 4</strong></p>
<p id="OcxO0b">After the disappointment of game one getting rained out, game two certainly delivered. Cam Cannarella doubled in the 4th to plate two Tiger runs. Up 2-1 in the 8th, it looked like Clemson had broke the game open when Jacob Hinderleider crushed a 2 run bomb to put Clemson up 4-1. But the Gamecock bats awoke in the top of the 9th with Blake Jackson bringing in a run on a pinch hit triple and Ethan Petry tying it up with a two run homer. At that moment, it looked bleak for Clemson as Sandstorm rang out in Segra Park and the garnet clad fans waved their towels. The teams traded scoreless half innings until the 12th, when Andrew Ciufo crushed an absolute nuke to left center field to give Clemson the win. In just his ninth game as a Tiger, the Georgetown transfer cemented himself forever in Clemson baseball lore. </p>
<p id="33amY5"><strong>Game 3: Clemson 5 South Carolina 4</strong></p>
<p id="hJXrDO">The Cocks struck early with catcher Cole Messina blasting a 2 run homer in the first to get things going. But Will Taylor continued his hot streak as he crushed a solo shot in the bottom of the inning. Trailing 3-1 in the 4th, the Tigers were able to manufacturer a pair of runs to tie it up, including Andrew Ciufo tying things up with an RBI single. Third baseman Nolan Nawrocki put Clemson on top 4-3 with his solo homer in the sixth. Two innings later senior Blake Wright tacked on an insurance run with a solo shot of his own. Ethan Petry answered with a homer in the top of the 9th to cut the lead in half. Petry appeared to exchange words with Nawrocki as he rounded third base, a continuation of the theme of the weekend: a lot of trash talk, seemingly instigated by the Gamecocks. Cole Messina worked a two out walk, but Talmadge LeCroy grounded out to third and end the game, giving Clemson the 2-0 series lead. With Clemson taking the baseball series, Clemson now leads South Carolina 5-4-1 in this academic year’s Palmetto Series. The Tigers will be back in action Wednesday at 4:00 PM as they host the Kansas State Wildcats at Doug Kingsmore. </p>
https://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2024/3/4/24089775/clemson-takes-two-to-win-baseball-series-vs-south-carolinaMatt_Goldin