Clemson kicked off conference play with a 65-55 victory over Miami last Saturday. While the 10-point margin of victory might suggest a comfortable win, the game remained tight until the final minutes. With two minutes left, the Tigers pulled away, finishing the game with a 9-2 run fueled by free throws following Miami’s late fouls.
Several key contributors led Clemson’s efforts. Chase Hunter, Ian Schieffelin, and Viktor Lakhin were the top scorers, with Schieffelin standing out with his fifth double-double of the season. Jaeden Zackery also made a significant impact as the point guard, leading the team with four assists and two steals.
Despite strong individual performances, the game remained competitive, largely due to some struggles by the Tigers, particularly in three-point defense and shooting. To better understand the game, let’s dive into the box score.
Three-Point Defense and Shooting
Clemson’s three-point defense has been a strength this season, but it wasn’t at its best on Saturday. The Tigers shot just 33% from beyond the arc, which is about 5% lower than their season average. Chase Hunter, the team’s top shooter, had a tough outing, making only 1 of 7 attempts. Ian Schieffelin helped pick up the slack with three successful threes, but overall, it was a disappointing performance from long range.
However, Miami struggled even more from beyond the arc, shooting just 16% for the game. Miami’s leading shooter, Nijel Pack, had an especially rough day, going 0-for-7 after averaging nearly 44% on the season.
Bench Production
Clemson’s bench outperformed Miami’s, contributing 31 points compared to 24 from the Hurricanes’ starters. Miami’s bench, meanwhile, was largely ineffective, with the only notable performance coming from Jalil Bethea, who made a few threes despite entering the game with a 28.6% shooting average.
Assist-to-Turnover Ratio
Clemson’s defense excelled in disrupting Miami’s offense, forcing 13 turnovers while limiting the Hurricanes to just five assists. The Tigers’ defensive pressure, including four steals, made it difficult for Miami to establish any rhythm, further contributing to their victory.
