North Carolina State University Athletics
Gary Hahn's Scouting Report: Clemson
1/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 28, 2005
NC STATE (12-7, 2-4) at CLEMSON (10-9, 1-6)
DATE: Saturday, January 29, 2005 @ Littlejohn Coliseum, Clemson, SC (10,000)
TIME: Tip-off: 1:30 p.m. EST
RADIO: Wolfpack Radio Network
AIRTIME: 1:00 p.m. EST
TELEVISION: Raycom-Jefferson Pilot ACC Network
OPPONENT--Trying to beat Miami in Coral Gables is a tough assignment. Slumping Clemson became the Hurricanes latest victim. Robert Hite scored 21 points and Gary Hamilton hit two free throws with five seconds left to lead the Hurricanes to a hard-fought 69-65 win over the Tigers on Wednesday night at the Convocation Center.
Clemson had opportunities to tie or take the lead down the stretch, but couldn't capitalize. After two missed free throws by Miami's Eric Wilkins left the score at 67-65 with 30-second to play, the Tigers Olu Babalola and Shawan Robinson both missed wild shots on the ensuing possession. Robinson grabbed his own missed shot, but landed out of bounds turning the ball over to the 'Canes with 5 seconds left.
Hamilton was fouled as Miami inbounded the ball and sank both shots to seal Miami's victory and improve the Hurricanes to 13-5 overall and 4-3 in the ACC.
Miami led for most of the first half, but a 12-5 Clemson run over the last five minutes gave the Tigers a 31-27 lead at the intermission. The second half was back and forth with neither team able to pull away.
Clemson outrebounded the 'Canes 42-38 and held a 20-12 advantage on the offensive glass, but could not overcome 37 percent shooting from the field (25-67) and 7 of 26 from three-point range. Miami was effective attacking the basket, outscoring Clemson 36-30 in the paint.
Sharrod Ford did all he could for the Tigers, scoring 20 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Cliff Hammonds and Akin Akinbala combined for 21 Clemson points. Anthony Harris had 15 points for the Hurricanes with 12 coming early in the second half while Guillermo Diaz finished with 12 points and Will Frisby added 11.
The loss was the fourth straight for Clemson and the sixth in its last seven games.
Clemson's defense can be stingy. The Tigers rank in the top-5 in the ACC in scoring defense (65.5), blocked shots (5.0), steals (10.3), and they force turnovers. However, offensively they sometimes struggle. Against ACC opponents, Clemson is last in the league, averaging 62.4 points a game while shooting a league-low 38 percent from the field.
As for three-point shooting, the Tigers have had their moments. They shot 43% (13-30) in a two-point loss at Virginia on January 22nd, so they are capable of exploding. Robinson (.385) and Hammonds (.340) are Clemson's most dangerous marksmen from beyond the arc.
Many times the best Clemson offense is a missed shot. The Tigers are a good rebounding team and average 15.1 offensive rebounds a game against ACC opponents, second best in the league.
Clemson is balanced offensively and while there is no clear "go-to" player Ford has stepped up. He has tallied double figures in his last five games and has been very impressive in his last three appearances, averaging 15.7 points and 9.7 rebounds during that span. Ford is also one of the top shot blockers in the ACC, but leads Clemson in personal fouls.
Not taking care of the ball has been a problem. The Tigers have averaged 18 turnovers a game this season against ACC teams, but they have improved lately. In its last 3 ACC games, Clemson has averaged only 12 turnovers.
NC State has won 6 of the last 7 games in the series, but lost at Littlejohn Coliseum 60-55 last season. The Wolfpack shot only 30 percent from the field and 16 percent (6-37) from three-point range in that game.
A WIN--Would be the Wolfpack's second in its last 3 games, improving NC State to 13-7 overall and 3-4 in the ACC. The Pack would earn its 7th victory in the last 8 games over Clemson in the series, and 3rd in the last 4 trips to Littlejohn Coliseum. NC State would improve to 3-3 on the road this season and 2-2 away from home in the ACC, while sending Clemson to its fifth straight loss. This game will be the only regular season meeting between the Wolfpack and Tigers.
A LOSS--Would be the Wolfpack's second straight and third in the last four games. NC State would drop to 12-8 overall and 2-5 in the ACC--its worst league start since 2001 when the Pack began conference play with a 2-6 mark. Clemson would record its second straight win in the series over the Wolfpack with both victories coming at Littlejohn Coliseum. The Tigers would break a four-game overall losing streak and earn their first victory since beating Florida State on January 12th.
BETHEL AND BENNERMAN. --NC State is a different team with a healthy Tony Bethel and Cam Bennerman. Unfortunately, in the Pack's last 9 games, Bethel has been has been limited or unavailable due to the effects of colitis. During Bethel's illness that began on 12/28/04, the Pack is 3-6. Bennerman suffered an elbow injury in practice on January 21. He has missed the last two games and is out indefinitely. The 6-4 junior is the Wolfpack's #2 scorer and top three-point shooter this season (.423).
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS --Sophomore guard, Engin Atsur, has committed only 6 turnovers all season in ACC games. In his last 77 minutes of action, the sophomore guard has turned the ball over only one time. He's also played some tough defense, holding Duke's J.J. Redick to 8 points, Georgia Tech's Jarrett Jack to 16 and Maryland's John Gilchrist to 13 points.
THE ROCK HAS VALUE --The Wolfpack is averaging 12.5 turnovers per game including season-low 5 turnovers against Liberty University. In its four ACC losses, State has averaged only 12.3 turnovers. HODGE-PODGE --In his last 4 games, Wolfpack senior Julius Hodge, has been playing more consistently recording three double-doubles in that span. However, he has struggled at the foul line this season (.625). He was only 5-of-10 at the line against FSU. Last season, Hodge was an 83 percent free throw shooter. The 2004 ACC Player of the Year has five double-doubles this season, including 20 points and 11 rebounds at Maryland on 1/23/05.
NO "D" LEADS TO "L's" -- In its four ACC losses opponents have shot a combined 51 percent against State in the second half (51-100) and outscored the Pack 158-134 in the final 20 minutes.
GIVE ME LONG DISTANCE --State is No. 1 in the ACC in three-point field goals per game (8.67) against league opponents.
SHARE AND SCORE --NC State is averaging an assist on an impressive 60% of its field goals (298-499). Against ACC opponents, the Pack is No.1 in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.12).
