Hoops Preview: Clemson vs. Presbyterian

Where: Bon Secours Wellness Arena

When: 7:00pm

TV: ESPN3 / WatchESPN

After a heartbreaking 51-50 loss to SEC opponent Alabama, the Clemson Tigers will return to the court Tuesday evening to take on the Presbyterian College Blue Hose in a non-conference contest. Clemson will enter the contest 6-3 while Presbyterian enters the contest 4-5 and 0-2 in Big South Conference play.

Clemson will face one of its oldest rivals in the Blue Hose as the first meeting between the schools took place in 1915 and Clemson holds the series lead 56-18. Clemson last hosted the Blue Hose in 2012 and have won 7 straight in the series.

Clemson will have to contend with Presbyterian forward DeSean Murray who leads the team with 21.6 points per game. Murray has scored 18 points or more in 8-of-9 of the Blue Hose games after being held to 7 points against the Blue Hose victory over the Citadel back in late November. At 6'5" look for Jaron Blossomgame to draw the defensive assignment and keep Murray from his typical 20 point game.

While Murray will be the focus of the Blue Hose offense, Junior Forward Ed Drew and Junior Guard Markus Terry also average double figures for Presbyterian. Terry appears to be the 2^nd option for Presbyterian matching his season average on a consistent basis while Drew appears to be the potential scoring threat off of the bench. Drew has been held in check in the past games only averaging 6.2 points per game over the past 5 contests after scoring 22 and 26 points respectively early in the season against Toccoa Falls and The Citadel.

The Tiger defense continues to be the strength of the team after holding both Alabama and Wofford to 51 points in its last two contests and registered a season high 10 blocks in Sundays contest against the Crimson Tide, but was badly out-rebounded in the contest. The rebounding edge will be expected to go the Tigers way against a smaller opponent, but it is something to keep an eye on throughout the broadcast.

The Tiger offense continues to live and die by the 3-point shot. Clemson shot only 28% form behind the arc against the Crimson Tide in its lowest percentage of the season and only managed 50 points in the contest. With 8-point performances form both Jaron Blossomgame and Donte Grantham, look for the Tigers to target both of their high scoring forwards early and often during the contest.

One thing to keep an eye on is a potential changing of the guard at the Center position between Sidy Djitte and Landry Nnoko. Djitte earned the start against the Crimson Tide after continuing to impress with his early season performance, however, Nnoko recorded more minutes than Djitte and was Clemson's leading scorer with 15 points in the contest. We will see if the bench position will wake up Nnoko and increase his performance.