February 24, 2024 • 48 mins
The Tigers gear up to face down the Seminoles in today's matchup! As always, John and Rich preview today's game, and set the scene with interviews, clips from the players, and more!
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(00:00):
W E, S E F M. Greenville, Spartanburg, Andersen. Time
for the Ingles Countdown to tip Offshow, brought to you Pie Ingles Markets,
Low Prices, Love the Savings,Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, Harley Davoton
of Greenville, Greer Flooring Center,the Surgery Center at Pella McGhee, eating
an air and by Palmeadow State Armory. Now Here are your hosts, John
(00:25):
lsm Richmond and Weaver, and ahappy Saturday evening to each and every one
of you out there listening to us. On ninety two point five weesc getting
You're ready for another evening of Clemsonmen's basketball as Brad Bronell's team gets another
big win in conference against Georgia Tech. And now here comes Florida State Live
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from Little John coming up at sevenforty five pm. You got the Ingles
Countdown to tip Off show, TreyFalco producing. I'm John Ellis, that's
Richmond, Weaver and rich We getfurther and further into acc play, closer
to when bracketology actually I mean something. And here are the Clemson Tigers,
now eight and seven in conference,picking up their eighteenth win. It's a
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good time to be a Clemson fanbecause there was a little lull there.
They played a hell of a gamedown there in Atlanta, though, yes
they did. When you start havingan opportunity of making shots the way they
started the game, you knew thatthat was going to be important for Tigers
to come out shooting hot on theroad in Atlanta, and that's one of
the things that obviously we saw thatthey didn't do in that game in Little
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John where they struggled from beyond thearc, and just a completely different scenario
for the Tigers as they have aseason high fourteen to three pointers in this
game, and a lot of ithad to do with mister Chase Hunter continuing
to play some stellar ball right now. And then obviously when you have Joe
Girard third, you know obviously whathe can do from the perimeter, and
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it just makes this Tiger team evenso much more dangerous obviously when they can
hit those outside type of shots youknow from Thattive. But I thought this
was also a big moment for Clemsonto be able to respond to that devastating
loss and to be able to goon the road and have that opportunity to
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get a revenge avenge whatever you wantto say, against that Georgia Tech team,
who obviously I feel, stole thatone in Little John in double overtime,
where again the Tigers seemed to bein control down the stretch there,
but obviously lost that one ninety threeto ninety. But now you're sitting here
tied for fifth in the ACC.Obviously a lot of action that's already been
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going on today, but this isnow an opportunity to sweep this series against
the Seminoles this season. Yeah,winners of four out of five. Now
the Clemson Tigers are and you know, the only lone loss in that mix
was one of those single digit losseswe talked about down to one point there,
seventy eight to seventy seven loss.Back on the seventeenth, two,
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NC stayed at home, and nowyou come back home. You're in the
cozy confines of Little John for acouple of straight games here against Florida State
tonight and then you got Pitt comingup on the twenty seventh. Good to
be back home, but looking backat what happened in this game against Georgia
Tech, a game that you know, look, there's a lot at stake
every single time you tee it upin the ACC no doubt about it.
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Eighty one fifty seven win, fourplayers in double digits, including leading all
scores Ian Shefflin, by the way, nineteen points. This chef was cooking.
We all know that. Chase Huntanother big game of eighteen points,
girared with fourteen to eleven. PJ. Hall kicked in eleven points. So
again scoring from everybody when it comesdown to Clemson there. But how about
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Ian Shefflin, what a game hehad nineteen points in this one. Rich
Well coming home to the Atlanta areathere both Chase Hunter and Ian Shefflin where
you know Chases from the Westlake HighSchool there and Ian Grayson High School in
Loganville, Georgia, and they combinedfor thirty seven points, nine rebounds of
an assist and finished fourteen of twentytwo from the field, in seven of
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ten from the three point line.And I think that's when you start seeing
just again the backcourt for Clemson whenyou have Chase Hunter, when he can
do more than just driving to thebasket and some mid range jumpers. And
that's one of his strong suits,is that ability to attack the rim.
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And also he can hit that fourteento seventeen foot mid range jumper. But
when all of a sudden he cango four to six from beyond the arc,
watch out. That makes the Tigersteam completely different. It sure does.
And you know pg Hal again thescoring has been down of late,
but again this is his thirty seventhconsecutive double digit scoring game. He remains
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a mainstay in terms of what they'redoing right now, not just offensively but
defensively for this team. Well,just think about this. Tigers scored eighty
one points and PJ. Hall tookeight shots. Yeah, I mean that's
efficiency and I think that's what youwant this Tigers team to be. And
I think when you now having guyslike a Jack Clark being able to get
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you know, twenty seven minutes there, Not that he scored a lot,
but he was able to hit somekey shots to a four from beyond the
arc. So it extends that defensehas to come out and then ultimately that's
going to allow more opportunities when theyhave to extend out that PJ. Hall
and Ian Shefflin they're going to beable to eat down low. And we
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can see some of that. Butthis was a game where Clemson coming out
to start the game twenty three tonine. It was in a scenario where
they had to lean a whole loton PJ. Hall. And I think
that's also big right now too,John, because we talked about it the
last show. We're at the pointof the season where these guys are tired,
Yeah they are. These guys arebanged up, and the reports are
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you know that both Ian and PJwho were a little bit under the weather
over the past couple of weeks.So how much have they actually been practicing
not only from being under the weather, but also just this time of the
season where you can't continue to practicethe same way you have been at the
beginning of the season because the wearand tear. I mean, you're playing
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these games every two to three days. That's just not a lot of recovery,
and also having to continuing to putin the work in practice. So
I think it's been a big partof Hey, g if you can win
some of these games and PJ Hallonly takes eight shots and you score eighty
one points, that's a good scenariofor the Clemson Tigers. It is.
It takes the pressure off Haul andsome of the others there in terms of
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key scoring, and you spread thewealth there, and you have others that
can jump in from the bench andcontribute. That's a big time deal.
When you look at Georgia Tech,what happened to them in this game.
They led six to three early,very early in this game, and then
Clemson, as they've done throughout theyear in some of their big wins,
they go on a massive run twentyto three run with five of their first
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three or five of their first sixthree pointers going through the hoop there.
And that's a huge run for Clemson. And they've had games like this rich
where all of a sudden you turnaround and Brad Burnell's team they can go
from you know, being kind ofstagnant to this just explosive run twenty to
three. What a job by thisteam early in the game to sort of
not only just set the tone butget off to the right start and forced
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Georgia Tech into some bad shots.That's right, And it was interesting.
What if you watch that game.At the beginning of the game, both
teams were on fire. They bothteams start out the game with three three
pointers, and so you're like,okay, here we go, it's going
to be a shootout. And thenClemson was able to ratchet up the defense
and we're able to now close outmuch better against the Yellow Jackets there.
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And you mentioned in that run thatthey had to get that big lead and
then it was all downhill for Clemsonafter that. Now Georgia Tech, they
were able to make their a littlebit of a run there in the second
half, but Clemson seemed to bein control of this game from the very
beginning. And that's what you wantedto see from Clemson, that once Georgia
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Tech made a little bit of theirrun, that Clemson didn't falter. And
that's what we've seen in some ofthe second half. A twelve point lead
against n C State is evaporated andobviously the Tigers end up losing. But
here against Georgia Tech, you couldsee Clemson just seemed to be in control.
And I think a lot of ithad to do with the defensive effort
holding Georgia Tech to fifty seven points. And I think this was also a
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scenario that played out that we're BradBurnell, he challenged his team after that
NC State game. They had atough film session and it really had talked
about, Okay, this is thepoint you're going to decide how this season
is going to finish out. Whatchoices are you going to make now,
taking full responsibility, taking action onthings that need to be done, those
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little things, the extra defensive effort, the extra rebounding effort, whatever it
might be. And I think theplayers responded, and we saw it in
this game against Georgia Tech. Yeah, he was talking about that after the
game quote. It was kind ofreminding them that we're a lot closer to
the end than you realize. It'salso reminding them that we aren't the ten
to one team, We're the eightand seven team in the ACC. You
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better stop believing that you're a tenand one team. We've got to be
better. So it was a wakeup call. I think you go through
the motions of a season, youhit that wall a little bit in terms
of oh conference plays here where thepressure mounts up. But now you get
a win like this on the roadin an ACC environment. Again, they're
not in the quad one section hereof the department, as we talk about,
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but it's a big win on theroad. And as we talk about,
just make your shots. You startmaking your shots to amazing You get
more assists from shots made all thethings come together, no question, and
how many times we talk about it. When you look at the schedule,
it's games that you should win orgames that are going to be tough,
and Clemson has been in that scenariowhere in the past they lose some of
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the games where they shouldn't lose.It should be a game that hey,
on paper, you're more skilled,your roster is better, and this is
not a shot against Georgia Tech.Damon Stotdamire is doing a great job,
in my opinion his first year tryingto get things going again in Atlanta,
to try to relive those glory daysof the eighties and the nineties with Bobby
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Crimins as the head coach down thereat Georgia Tech. But this was a
Clemson team that came out there andwe're able to showcase just how much better
their roster was. And I dobelieve that that was very important going on
the road that you talked about,John, because it's so important and so
tough for these teams to win onthe road in the ACC and this was
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a game though that Clemson needed tomake sure that they were able to get
that victory and gain some more confidence. Now coming back home, tonight against
Florida State. Because this is alsoanother scenario where as the races continuing to
try to get into that the elusivetop four in the ACC. To get
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that double by I mean, youhave to have those type of road victories
against Georgia Tech and then now youhave to have an opportunity of putting yourself
in position for a home victory againstFlorida State, especially because you're tied with
Florida State for that fifth seed rightnow in the ACAS. Hard to believe
Florida State being where they are overall, they're still right there. It's Leonard
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Hamilton John for years, the agelesswonder. He just continues to showcase that
they will fly under the radar.Now, this is obviously not the Florida
State teams that we have seen inyou know, the twenty nineteen twenty twenty
season. Obviously that was cut shortwith COVID and Florida State was crowned ACC
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champion that year. But this isstill a dangerous Florida State team. We've
seen it play out throughout the season. That's why they're sitting there fifth in
the ACC, no doubt about it. Now, keep poor this game to
Georgia Tech trim lead down to six, Clemson pushed it back to double digits
and they let forty three thirty oneat the break. I thought there was
a big moment in the game,big stretch of the game for Clemson,
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as you talk about they've blown thesedouble digit leads in these games before.
To withstand that sort of push byGeorgia Tech was big And how cool was
it if you're watching the television broadcastto see Jim Beaheim calling the game with
Joseph Gerard out there kicking in fourteenpoints. He certainly was proud, I'm
sure if his old Syracuse Orange productgetting out there and mixing it up with
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double digit points. So that gameand Jim Beheim talked very highly of Joe
Joseph. Let me make sure youget his full name in there, Joseph
Gerard the third And yeah, Ithink that is a very nice moment,
you know, from that perspective,And I know they were talking about on
the broadcast different stories with the twoof them, and then even more so
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as Wes Durham and ever showcasing Iguess the story of Jim Beheim how he
was confused with Bernie Sanders and exactlyin just a classic story from that perspective,
like Beaheim was like, no,wait, Wes, you didn't tell
it right, let me tell thestories exactly. Well. Jim Beheim,
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he's he's definitely has earned the opportunityto sit in that chair as a color
analyst after an amazing basketball career anddid it all at Syracuse, which still
that blows my mind when you thinkof it from that perspective. Obviously,
with how people move around different jobsto jobs over the past thirty years,
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it has completely changed from that perspective. But Jim Beheim, he's a little
bit of an old man, getoff my lawn type of guy, right,
you know, he doesn't always saya whole lot, but obviously he
has the pedigree and he knows exactlywhat he's talking about from an X and
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O perspective, And I do believehe has a little bit of a personality
and it's starting to come out alittle bit more because he doesn't have to
worry about the pressure of the mediaalways asking the questions that gets under his
skin and him have to explain himself, you know, each and every day.
So I do think you'll start tosee a little bit more of Jim
Beheim and his personality come out ashe continues doing some work as a color
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analyst. I think he needs apodcast, tell you the truth. If
he doesn't have one already, Ithink he'd be a great podcast. Listen.
I would subscribe thousands of stories.Thousands of stories. I promise you
he definitely does well. We gota good one coming up here between Florida
State and Clemson. You can catchthat game right here on ninety two point
five WeSC. Coming up next,we got Will Van Dervoort joining us from
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the Clemson Insider. He is lifefrom Little John. He's going to give
us some insights as far as whereClemson stands here in the net rankings,
they're path at the NCAA Tournament,and more about the Clemson program at large.
This is the Ingles count Down totip Off Show ninety two point five
I w SC ninety two point fivew d s E is the Upstate's new
home for the Clemson Tigers. Checkin c I got a huntree you two
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more than then goes chuck down.A tip off show continues getting you ready
for a big ACC game tonight.My goodness, Clemson needs another one to
keep building that resume. They gotFlorida State coming to town. They're in
play for a very good seeding inthe ACC Tournament as well. We'll see
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what happens in this game coming up. Shutly here, Don Munson, Timburray
on the call right here on ninetytwo point FIVESC courtesy of the Clemson Athletic
Network. Don't forget listen to uson our sister station weekdays one o four
point nine Fox Sports Upstate. Youhave the Richmond Weavers Show at three pm,
game on with John Ellis and TreyFalco from four to six pm.
(16:15):
Check us out one oh four nineFox Sports Upstate started three pm every single
weekday. In a common guest,a common voice on that station from time
to time is our good friend whojoins us now from the Clemson Insider.
It's uh Will Vandervoord, who's goingto be live here at Little John here
shortly checking out this game and makingsure he's staying on top of Clemson's run
not only to the ACC Tournament,but to the Big Dance, as we
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assume they're heading there right now.Will, how you doing, buddy?
Good guys? Hi y'all doing man, and happy Saturday to you. Get
ready for a huge game here,Yeah, no doubt about it. Clemson
right now, coming in with thateighteen win overall against Georgia Tech. Let's
talk about that game. They godown and avenge that really bad double overtime
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loss Little John from a few weeksback against Georgia Tech. But they left
no doubt in this game. Theywent on a twenty to three run.
Ian Shefflin led all scores, whichis great to see the Atlanta product getting
that done. Your thoughts from theirlast win, Yeah, that was a
good win there in Atlanta. Shefflinand PJ. Hall went combined six or
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seven from towntown. Just what happenedand what Georgia Tech was doing. Georgia
Tech was packing it in and herecalled that overtime game, double overtime game.
PJ and Ian combined for fifty onepoints. So they weren't going to
let him get anything underneath the basket, at least that's what the game plan
was. So they were leaving themwide open at the top of the key,
and both guys, both Clinton postplayers, made them pay, especially
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in that first half as they builtthat lead. The most important, the
most impressive thing I thought about thatwas how Clinton kept its flit on the
gas. We've seen this year inseveral instances where they built a big lead
at Florida State, they let FloridaState get back in it before winning.
Did the same thing at North Carolina, did the same thing at Syracuse.
Well, in this one, theygot the big first half league and this
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time they kept it. They didn'tlet off the gas very I thought one
of the best games they've played efficientlyall year on both sides of the court
defensively. Brad talked about how theyreally after that NC State game went back
and he told them He's like hewent and got like tapes, guys of
every ACC game this year and howpoorly they've played on defense, and he's
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like, you know, you,guys, you're so you're not that team
that was ten to one. Thatteam is not here right now. You're
this team, and you got tostart playing better if you want to get
where you want to be and nottry to think you're that ten and one
team, but you're this other teamnow and you got to get better,
especially on the defensive end of thecourt. And you saw that. I
think Georgia Tech went six of twentyfive from the field in the second half
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and was just one of the eighthand three point range. Crimpson, I
thought played a great game on thedefensive end of the court. Their best
game of the year, I thinkdefensively in that game. Will Van der
Voort is our guest here on theIngles Countdown to tip Off show right here
on ninety two point five WeSC mistervan Dervoort from the Clemson Insider, And
so you talk about that, Will, just in terms of Clemson kept their
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foot on the gas, and Iagree with you one thousand percent that this
was an opportunity for Clemson to showcasethat they do have a better roster and
somewhat of that killer instinct. Butthis seems to also be a team Will
that is a little bit of Jeckylland Hyde in terms of that killer instinct
at home versus on the road.And we've seen the scenario play out in
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the big moments against Virginia, GeorgiaTech, NC State, and Little john.
But then you counterbalance that with howthey played on the road at Syracuse,
how they played on the road atNorth Carolina, at Pittsburgh, and
then obviously getting the victory against GeorgiaTech. What makes with this team in
terms of how they've had the letdownsin Little John where you think normally that's
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when you are at your best inthe big moments at home. Yeah,
it's crazy. I think of thetop I think I can't I know,
going into yesterday, Clemson was likenumber twenty six in the RPI and I
think you had to go to numberthirty three to find a team that had
as many. I had more lossesthan Clemson at home. I think Kentucky
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has the same amount of home lossesin the in the I think Kentucky's twenty
four in the in the NET rankingand they have four home losses as well,
they're eleven and four. So Clemsonin Kentucky as the top thirty teams
are the only two teams with fourhome losses. So it's crazy, you
know that they've just not played aswell at home, especially in acc play,
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and to be interesting to see,like you said, how do they
play tonight? You know, dothey kind of get over that home is
a mental thing now? Richmond?Right? I mean, yeah, you're
wondering if it's just in their headsthey're like you know, we just don't
feel as comfortable, you know,playing at Little John through whatever the reason.
You know. So maybe you know, they maybe it's because they played
better with the crowds against them.You know, all these things can be
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going in their heads. So youhope they get out to a fast start
in tonight's game and guys not onlywin to night's game, but go and
beat Pittsburgh on Tuesday. And Idon't want to get ahead of myself,
but Clemson hasn't won back to backa SEC home games yet the season.
Yeah, and so you'd like tosee them kind of put two or three
games at home here as they closeout the regular season. They got three
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home games left. You'd like tosee them win all three and kind of
close out some positive momentum that LittleJohn Coliseum. I think the Clemson fans
would like to see that team they'veseen at North Carolina, that team they
saw at SYRAHCU, that team theysaw at Georgia Tech. They'd like to
see him a Little John two yeaat some point, you know, and
hopefully tonight they'll get to. Yeah, and even that team they saw on
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the road against Duke, where there'sobviously still controversy swirling around that loss also
on the road, But I doagree with you Will that it seem,
for whatever reason, there's something that'splaying out where is it the home pressure
and the crowd. It's just somethingthat you typically don't see, you don't
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and and Cleinson's historically has been really, really good at Little John's him.
I mean, even the bad Clemsonteams have always played well at home.
And and that's because it's always I'vealways said Little john is a underestimated,
you know, underrated kind of homevenue. I don't agree it's the credit
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they deserve. I think Clemson's alwaysyou know, if you look at Clemson's
record, even when they played Dukesin North Carolina, you know they're much
better against those teams historically at LittleJohn obviously, and and have had their
share of big wins. So yeah, it's you know, it's it's it's
kind of crazy this year that thisteam perhaps maybe the best Clemson team I've
seen in thirty years or thirty twoyears, going back to that nineteen ninety
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team that won the ACC championship.To see this team like struggle at home
as good as they are, andthe team I think has a legitimate chance
to play for an ACC championship.It's just crazy, man, it really
is. Will Vanderbard is their guestfrom the Clemson Insider. He's seen all
the Clemson teams over the years,aging himself a little bit there, but
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listen, I don't disagree with you. This particular team has a lot of
talent and a lot of potential.One of those players that is coming of
age right now is, of course, Chase Hunter. The last few games
here, fifteen and a half pointsper game, fifty percent shooting, twenty
four assists to seven turnovers. That'sfor their last five ACC games we're talking
about here, that happened to bewins. Four of those five. Talk
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about Chase Hunter, not only whathe's been through personally in terms of the
injuries coming back from that, buthow vital he's been to this stretch of
late with Clemson getting back on track. Yeah. Sorry, Chase Hunter is
a key reason why Clemson has playedWhen they win games, Hunter and Joe
Garrard, they're playing well right andso that's been that's been a big deal
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for Clemson the last couple of gamesespecially. He looked at Georgia Tech game,
he went back home in that secondhalf. I don't think I think
Brad said it after the game.Chase Hunter was the best player on the
floor the other night, and he'sright, he was. I mean,
eighteen points, he was six often from the field overall, he had
six assists, I believe, sixrebounds. Just a great stat line and
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center goes, so does Clemson.When he makes plays and he gets to
the basket, he creates a lotfor Clemson inside the lane and then that
opens up things on the outside towhere he can kick it out. I
think Clemson had twenty one assist theother day, which was huge, right
in the sense of what they're tryingto what they want to do and how
they want to distribute to basketball andget good shots off. And I thought
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that was just big that Chase wasplayed the way he did the other night,
and also in those other games youmentioned. You know, when Chase
Hunter is on, Clemson had achance to win the game. It has
a chance to win every game.And if he got Joe and Chase playing
well, then Crimson is almost unbeatable. Will Vanderwertz, our guest from the
Clemson Insider, Let's not sleep onfootball here, this the basketball show.
(25:14):
But you got a spring game comingup on the fourth of April. Here
just an early primer on what tolook for in that game. We'll be
down there of courch Rich and Iand I know you'll be there. The
football season ever sleeps, my friend. The spring game is right around the
corner. Yeah, spring practice startshere on Wednesday. The Tigers will be
playing. They'll be playing. They'llbe playing on the Wednesday, start practice.
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Then they got practice on Friday.So yeah, definitely, I'll be
a big week coming up here andthen that'll set it up for the spring
game here in a few weeks,about six weeks from now in the valley.
Interestingly, what I want to lookat is a center position. I
think that's one of the things yougot to watch out for, you know,
is Ryan let it come? Ishe going to be the guy that
over and takes over that center position, or do you see a guy like
(26:03):
har Sewell move over and grab itfrom the guard positions. You're going to
get other guys back Walker Parks andguys like that that you haven't seen on
the offensive line in a while.Marcus Tate will be back, so you
know, see how Clemson uses themin the spring. Do you want to
keep them out a little bit longeror do you want to get them playing
so they can get back to customto getting hit and stuff like that,
so they're not going to fault campthat way. So some interesting stuff.
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I think that's the number one battleyou want to see. And and then
I think people are anxious to,you know, to see those wide receivers
that are coming in and what they'regoing to look like this coming season,
and and and what they're going tobring to the table. So a lot
a lot of I guess, ifyou will. I know a lot of
people are starting to get on theClemson bandwagon and seeing nationally. So we'll
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see if if all that holds trueand when they play in the Valley here
in a few weeks. Wrapping upwith Will Van der Voard of the Clemson
Insider, and so will you footballobviously right there, So you've got football
getting ready to start, You've gotbasketball heating up as we're coming to March,
and then you also have got baseball. How are you juggling everything that
(27:11):
you've got going on right now atthe Clemson Insider, Well, I call
it crossing over season, and that'sall. It doesn't have anything to do
with trying to you know, pfake my crossover on the basketball court.
But you know, yeah, soyeah, you know, you're you're just
trying to juggle all three. Obviously, basketball is at the top of the
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things that they're in the heat oftheir season, right and they're you know,
trying to make this run to theNCAA tournament and maybe do I dare
say it, maybe an ACC championshipkind of run. We'll see if they
can get to be a top fourseed, Richard. I think they got
a great chance. I really do. Yeah, and so and then you
know, and of course baseball seasonthey play the big rivalries next week with
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South Carolina where they you know,they go play that neutral game in Columbia.
I'm using air quotes there, soyou know, that'll be big next
week. And then and then ofcourse, you know football, which is
always the kingpin, as we know. And what the reason I have a
job, the reason you guys havea job. It is what it is.
And you know that's always a bigdeal and we want to make sure
(28:19):
that's covered. So yeah, we'llhave all that covered, man. And
oh, by the way, softballand gymnastics. We got all that also
websites. We're we got it allgoing on, man, But thank goodness,
we got a big staff over here, and we can get it all
covered for all the fans, nodoubt about it. Follow their work at
the Clemson Insider dot com. Asfor Will, you can follow them at
Steeler Will on X and Will.I'm wishing the best for you in the
(28:41):
quarterback search that continues for you andFalco Steelers. I don't know what to
tell you. You always say followthe local beat writers for the best news,
because I'm hearing Russell Wilson rumors andI just don't see it, my
friend. No, yeah, we'reSteeler sent out there. Don't listen to
what the national people are saying.You know, you ain't going to chuck
the people at Pittsburgh and it's goingto be any pick it and Mason Rudolph.
They're going to try to do everythingthey can to keep Mason Rudolf before
(29:04):
free agency gets started. So we'llsee, we'll see if they can do
that. That's their plan and theywant that to be the quarterback battle this
coming year. Well. Follow themup at Clemson Insider dot com. After
tonight's game, there'll be a fullrecap, I'm sure, and into the
next coming weeks. Here more onClemson's prospects of reaching the Big Dance and
where they'll be seated. Of course, it's exciting time right now for Brad
(29:25):
Brunell's program. Will Vandervoard thanks forjoining us, my friend John, Thanks
Man Richmond. Thanks. We'll talkto you guys next time. Yes,
sir Goes, thank you Will forthe Clemson Insider dot com with some interesting
perspective on all things Clemson right now. When we come back, we'll take
a closer look at what's going onaround the ACC. Around the top twenty
five give you closer look at whatFlorida State's all about. This big matchup
(29:48):
between the Seminals and the Tigers comingup here shortly on ninety two point five,
we sc the Engles countdown to tipoff. Show continues right here ninety
two point five w E s E. Is the Upstates new hole with a
Clemson Tigers. You got Clemson FloridaState coming up here shortly on ninety two
(30:18):
point five weesc the Clemson Tigers comingin eighteen and eight overall looking add another
ACC win to their total is It'sgetting very competitive in this ACC race.
As rich has talked about, gettingthat number four seed is critical to get
that double bibe. We'll see ifbrad Renods Tigers can get it against a
very game Florida State team. Don'tlet the overall record fool you. Look
(30:41):
at where they are on the conferenceand look at Leonard Hamilton's group, how
they've played as a whole over thecourse of the year in conference. It's
just like these other teams we've talkedabout in the ACC. There are no
days off, there are no surprisesanymore as to who can beat whom in
this conference. And when you lookaround the total picture of the top twenty
five ride now obviously some games inprogress, but coming up later this evening,
(31:06):
more big games in the top twentyfive. Villanova Yukon tip off coming
up here at eight pm. Numberone Yukon and never say never against Villanova
here a number one Yukon team thathas shown they can fall at any point
as well. Tennessee number five.Overall, they've had their ups and downs
this year, Richmond, they've remainedin the top five. Taken on Texas
A and m at home they're twentyand six right now. A and M
(31:27):
is fifteen and eleven, number twentyon Washington State. They're twenty one and
six, taken on Arizona State onthe road number twenty two. Colorado State
travels to UNLV tonight at eight pmand the late night the Nightcaps eighteenth ranked.
Saint Mary's hosting San Diego. They'retwenty two and six right now.
Saint Mary's is that's a ten o'clocktip off, as well as San Diego
(31:48):
State nineteenth in the country. Takenon Fresno State, they're twenty and seven
right now for Resnue I'm sorry SanDiego State is at the moment. That's
also a ten pm tip off onLate Ones CBS network. I don't think
we're going to make it to theend of that one, my friend,
but sort of a nice tip offtime that night. And Little John good
to be back home at the Colosseumthat you know, Will Vannibor who just
(32:09):
joined usrom the Clinton Insider had talkedabout one of more underrated, underappreciated venues
in coat tubes. Yes, andLittle John went through some renovations back in
twenty sixteen, and I think theymade vast improvements, and it was all
predicated on the idea of making ita more intimate type of setting. Used
(32:31):
to see about thirteen thousand people,and yes, that's great when you can
fill thirteen thousand, but what wesaw historically is that it's just difficult.
And then so when you have ascenario playing out where there's only seven thousand
people showing up, then all ofa sudden, thirteen thousand arena, venue,
(32:53):
whatever you want to call it,looks empty and it doesn't have the
same type of feel. So nowwhen you have Little John where they reduce
the number of seats and converted thefloor where they actually turned it so at
a different entryway, all of that, now you have nine thousand plus seats,
(33:14):
and now if you have seven thousandfans there, it still feels like
a full house. It still feels, you know, the energy that you
can have there from the crowd.And I think that's a big part of
what they were able to do withLittle John. And that's why I love
it as a much more intimate typeof setting and having that type of scenario
(33:35):
because I do believe that Little John, when the crowd gets into it,
it does have an effect. AndI know you can look at maybe this
season it hasn't necessarily played out asfar as Clemson losing some of those or
I should say, Clemson winning someof those close games where they ended up
losing at home, and you wouldthink that the crowd would help that.
But I do believe that there's beensome games where Clemson has been able to
(33:59):
win where there has helped, andBrad Burnell has talked about that quite a
bit, and so I do thinkthat little John can be a factor.
And I agree with Will Van Dervoortthat it is underrated, especially when Clemson
gets going and the crowd gets intoit. But as we know, John,
the way you get the crowd intoit, the way you get attendance
(34:21):
there, the way you have thatopportunity of filling the arena, whether it's
seven thousand, nine, eighteen thousandand thirty thousand, when you win,
things change. You know that,we know that in every sport. We
know that as far as the NFLgoes a sport that I cover a lot
more closely than college basketball, boywinning is the ultimate deodorant, as they
(34:44):
say, and you can get thatcrowd back in their fast and furious if
you start putting together some wins.Clemson right now sitting there at twenty fifth
in the net rankings, and that'sreally so important. You look at where
they were this time last year.I think it was eighty first in the
net rankings around this time with acomparable record and all that entails. But
(35:04):
again it comes down to these netrankings, and again, just a great
job by Brunell's program in terms ofgetting the wins they need at the right
times during this stretch. It's adifferent picture this year entirely. Although the
records aren't that different, it justfeels like a better team. I think
it's a better team overall, andcertainly the net rankings show that. As
(35:25):
Clemson. I don't want to sayyou can just you know, coast here,
but you have some breathing room.You have a little bit of wiggle
room to play with there, whichI think can relax you as a team
a little bit and let you playa little more loose. Oh yeah,
no question. And obviously again winningcan help breed some of that, and
that's why it is important, especiallydown this stretch of the season. And
(35:47):
Will Vandervelt. Vandervolt talked about itfrom the Clemson Insider that Clemson hasn't been
able to have back to back homevictories at Little John this season, So
can you get that one here todaytonight, I should say, against Florida
State, and then follow that upwith Pittsburgh coming into town and how important
that's going to be, especially aswe're seeing all the movement going on in
(36:10):
college basketball with the games today andhow that's shaping out in terms of who's
going to be in and who's goingto be out. And obviously Joe Lenardi
right now has Clemson as a lockthat they would be in the tournament,
and I agree wholeheartedly with that.As you look at the ACC, North
Carolina, Duke, and Clemson arethe teams that you can put that padlock
(36:32):
on in my opinion, that theyare going to be in. And more
so I'm talking about the Clemson Tigers. We do know that Duke and North
Carolina are going to be there,but it's Clemson that still seems to,
for whatever reason, have some questionmarks. But I don't think that we
should even be questioning Clemson's resume atall. They are complete lock. It's
the other teams like a Virginia WakeForest Pitt Panthers who made a little bit
(36:58):
of a run coming back down toEarth a little bit, you know,
from that perspective. But this iswhy it's so important right now to have
confidence going into how you're finishing theseason. And part of it too,
is it not only just for Clemson, but obviously these other teams that are
fighting in all of these other conferences, and how the NC Double A Committee
(37:22):
looks at these teams and how importantit is that they will talk about,
oh, how they finished the season. Are they on a hot streak?
You know, how are they cominginto the tournament? That does play a
factor into the NC Double A selectioncommittee. And so I do believe it's
important now for Clemson to be ableto capitalize on that big victory against Georgia
(37:44):
Tech on the road and now comehome to be able to do it tonight
there in Little John Coliseum. Someinteresting comments from Brad Brunell. As always
throughout the course of the week,he did talk about, and this is
from our friends at Tiger Net,the ACC schedule isn't working for head coach
Brad Burnel. The ACC currently playstwenty league games in men's basketball. For
Burnell, who's Tiger's travel to Atlantato take on Georgia Tech Wednesday. This
(38:07):
is obviously an article from a fewdays ago. Would be prefer a lesser
number. He thinks playing more outof conference games would change the narrative that
the ACC is weaker now that it'sbeen in the past. Quote the twenty
league games. I would have preferredeighteen. I just think we've tried this,
it's not working as well. Iwould rather our teams play out of
conference games. I think some otherleagues are doing that and manipulating some of
(38:30):
the numbers a little bit. Butthen also it just gives us a chance
as a league to play some otherteams head to head to help change the
narrative, which I think is completelywrong. He thinks eighteen is a better
number, and that's from David Hoodat tigernet dot com a few days ago,
And that's part of the conversation.When you look at bracketology here right
now from Lenardi. You know theconference breakdown, the Big twelve has nine
(38:52):
teams right now going to the BigDance, the ACC with four of them.
They rank well down that list.In fact, I think seventh among
all conferences in terms of teams projectedto send other teams to the conference championship.
Any thoughts on what Brunelle had saidthere, Well, yeah, and
especially as we're getting ready to expandthe ACC, it's going to be completely
(39:12):
different next season. And we alreadyknow that the ACC is announced that the
bottom three teams in the ACC standingsregular season will not make the ACC tournament,
right, right, So they're completelyeliminated. And I still don't know
how I feel about that. I'mkind of on the fence about that too.
Yeah, you eliminate these teams,And especially as we're continuing to hear
(39:38):
more and more about especially on thefootball side, Hey, we want this
expansion for opportunities to allow other teamsto get into the college football playoff?
And is it twelve teams? Andwe've obviously know that that's going to happen,
but there is also now even moreconversations apparently going on that would they
(40:00):
look at fourteen teams in college footballplayoff? And is it you know the
team that conferences like the ACC arepushing for that, So then the ACC
would have an opportunity for more teamsbecause we know a lot of this is
being driven by the big ten inthe SEC. We know that from that
perspective, but so we have iton one side, they're wanting to expand,
(40:22):
so you give opportunities to other teams, and then on the flip side,
well, but in the conference,you know you're going to be penalized
if you lose. And I understandthat. I get that, Hey,
you've got to perform, and thisis you know, your audition basically to
make it into the tournament. ButI think that's one of the beautiful things
(40:45):
that we've always enjoyed about these conferencetournaments is that, Hey, your regular
season is obviously important, but whathappens if you do get hot, yeah,
right at the end of the season, and then all of a sudden
into the tournament, when you're havinga Cinderella story in the conference tournament.
And so I do think it's interestinghow it's going to play out, and
(41:07):
I do understand what Brad is talkingabout, because I also do like the
fact that, yes, you canplay some more of these non conference games,
and I think it gives it abetter opportunity so you can judge teams
based on their resume from that standpoint, and because it's very difficult to judge
in my opinion, conference to conferenceand just saying, oh, well,
(41:28):
this goes when you look at teamsbeating up on each other in the conference,
how does that measure out to howyour resume is versus somebody else in
a different conference. It's just verydifficult. So if you have more opportunities
from a non conference standpoint to seesome of these matchups, then maybe you
have a better understanding of who shouldbe in the NCAA tournament and who should
(41:51):
not. What I will say though, is I definitely like the aspect of
expansion in college football. Yes,because we can settle it out on the
field. Yep. And I knowI'm going to sound like old man,
get off my lawn, but Ilove me some NCAA tournament the way it
is right now. We don't needto expand beyond sixty eight teams. I
(42:15):
thought it was absolutely fantastic with sixtyfour. I agree with you, And
yes, okay, you have alittle bit of evolution, you have a
little bit of growth, and youexpand to the sixty eight and you know,
the first four in or the firstfour out, and I do believe
there's some excitement from that standpoint,But man, it's hard to argue that
(42:37):
the NCAA Tournament March Madness is notperfect the way it is right now.
No, it's not. I mean, look back at Clemson with their Quad
one games. There are four andthree in those right now. Third among
ACC teams with three Quad one wins, North Carolina, Duke and Cleintson obviously
right there the mix. Cleinson's numbertwenty three in RPI and has the number
(42:59):
thirty six net strength the schedule inthe country. The Tigers RPI strength the
schedule is number fourteen, number threeh two last year. So obviously a
big difference there when you look atthat portion of the rankings. As the
Clemson Tigers prepare to take on theFlorida State Seminals, the game coming up
here at seven forty five Right hereon WeSC ninety two point five coming up
(43:21):
next, Rich and I will takeone last look at this Florida State matchup.
Who to look out for in termsof key players for the Seminals.
This is Dingles Countdown to tip OffShow ninety two point five WSC ninety two
point five WDSC is the Upstate's newhome for a Clemson Tigers. Thanks for
(43:50):
being with us here on this Saturdayevening, getting you ready for Clemson men's
basketball as they're playing host to FloridaState Day or fourteen and twelve. Right
now, the Siminals are there eightand seven in the conference, tied with
Clemson at eight and seven. It'sa dog fight right now for positioning in
conference play, trying to get tothat four seed. A lot of games
in progress right now, a lotof action happening that will adjust the standings,
(44:12):
of course, but you're focusing rightnow on this Clemson program coming up
at seven to forty five pm.The tip off begins with Don Munson Tim
Beurret on the call, and Donand Tim will take over here in just
a few short minutes. Keep itlocked in at ninety two point five WeSC
all evening long for Clemson basketball action. Look at Florida State here a team
(44:32):
that Clemson did have success against earlierthis season, but a team also that
had a bit of a losing streak. They have come back and put it
together, bookend wins against Boston Collegeback on the sixth, and then most
recently on the twentieth, they tookdown BC eighty four seventy six. It's
a team that again fourteen and twelveoverall. But don't sleep on a Leonard
(44:53):
Hamilton team, a team that hasscores, a team that played in that
three game losing stretch Richmond against Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Duke some competitive
basketball and could have come away withwins against each of those three teams.
Oh yes, no question about it. And this Florida State team is among
the best teams in the ACEC ATgetting to the free throw line third most
(45:14):
attempts behind Louisville and North Carolina.And that starts with their leading scorer,
Jamir Watkins. He's averaging almost fifteenpoints per game, but sixteen points in
the conference and is second in theACC and free throws made at one hundred
and eighteen. So this is aFlorida State team that they know how to
get to the free throw line.They can put you in some disadvantages and
(45:37):
so Clemson's going to have to stayout of foul trouble. And also Clemson's
going to have to protect the ball. And that's what was great in that
game against Georgia Tech. Twenty oneassists on only six turnovers in that game.
So that's a big aspect of whyClemson was able to come away with
that big victory and excuse me,five turnovers in that game against Georgia Tech,
(45:58):
not six. I know, BradVernelville, Hey, wait a second,
don't give us that extra turnover.Not even close. But Florida State
they force the most turnovers per gamein the ACC, fifteen point two turnovers
per game. And that's a bigpart of why Florida State is competitive and
why they are sitting there tied withClemson fifth in the ACC heading into tonight's
(46:22):
action. And again, Jamiir Watkinsand Darren Green Junior are both in the
top ten and steals in the conference. So you have to be able to
protect the ball for the Tigers tonight, and obviously that's going to be on
the shoulders of Chase Hunter and JoeGirard, but also when you're able to
get it down low to a PJ. Hall to Ian Shefflin, however it
(46:44):
might be, those guys are goingto have to be able to make the
right decisions when the double team comesand not get into a scenario of having
some of those early turnovers there togive Florida State any type of confidence tonight,
because you need to come out andhave the same type of in energy
and especially on the defensive side forthe Tigers against the Seminoles. You mentioned
(47:05):
Jamier Watkins against six foot seven juniorfrom Trenton, New Jersey. His production
has gone up clearly this season.You look at his last game, the
win against Boston College, he hadtwenty two points, eleven rebounds to assist,
he had the steal. As youmentioned, the steels have been there.
He scored over twenty points five timesin the last month there, including
twenty six in the loss of VirginiaTech. He put up twenty seven at
(47:29):
Syracuse. Never easy to do that. So again just to quickly talk about
how vital it is to neutralize Watkinsas their leading score right now. Yeah,
And like I said though, withWatkins, he does it on both
ends of the court, and that'swhat makes him so difficult just from a
perspective of you've got to be ableto defend him. But then he's also
he's that ball defender that will annoyyou as a guy bringing the ball up
(47:52):
the court, and how he canalso help off on different scenarios, So
you do have to keep that intoconsideration. That's why obviously being able to
slow him down and then also slowin Green Junior down. It is going
to be key for the Tigers tonight. It's the eighty fifth meeting all time
between Florida State and Clemson on thehardwood. Clemson trails the series overall thirty
(48:14):
eight forty six, but in LittleJohn twenty four to thirteen advantage for the
Tigers. They're back home. They'relooking to get back to their winning ways
at home. Building a winning streakat home would be nice, and that's
key to this game tonight. ForTrey Falco, for Richmond Weaver, for
our guest Will Van Dervoort. I'mJohn Ellis. This has been the Ingles
Countdown to tip Off Show, broughtto you by our good friends at Ingles
(48:36):
Low Prices, Love the Savings.Coming up next Don Mounson, Tim Beray
right here on the Clemson Athletic Networkscoverage of Tigers basketball. Thanks for listening.
We'll see you next time on theIngles count Down to tip Off Show
ninety two point five WSC
W E, S E F M. Greenville, Spartanburg, Andersen. Time
for the Ingles Countdown to tip Offshow, brought to you Pie Ingles Markets,
Low Prices, Love the Savings,Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, Harley Davoton
of Greenville, Greer Flooring Center,the Surgery Center at Pella McGhee, eating
an air and by Palmeadow State Armory. Now Here are your hosts, John
(00:25):
lsm Richmond and Weaver, and ahappy Saturday evening to each and every one
of you out there listening to us. On ninety two point five weesc getting
You're ready for another evening of Clemsonmen's basketball as Brad Bronell's team gets another
big win in conference against Georgia Tech. And now here comes Florida State Live
(00:45):
from Little John coming up at sevenforty five pm. You got the Ingles
Countdown to tip Off show, TreyFalco producing. I'm John Ellis, that's
Richmond, Weaver and rich We getfurther and further into acc play, closer
to when bracketology actually I mean something. And here are the Clemson Tigers,
now eight and seven in conference,picking up their eighteenth win. It's a
(01:06):
good time to be a Clemson fanbecause there was a little lull there.
They played a hell of a gamedown there in Atlanta, though, yes
they did. When you start havingan opportunity of making shots the way they
started the game, you knew thatthat was going to be important for Tigers
to come out shooting hot on theroad in Atlanta, and that's one of
the things that obviously we saw thatthey didn't do in that game in Little
(01:30):
John where they struggled from beyond thearc, and just a completely different scenario
for the Tigers as they have aseason high fourteen to three pointers in this
game, and a lot of ithad to do with mister Chase Hunter continuing
to play some stellar ball right now. And then obviously when you have Joe
Girard third, you know obviously whathe can do from the perimeter, and
(01:51):
it just makes this Tiger team evenso much more dangerous obviously when they can
hit those outside type of shots youknow from Thattive. But I thought this
was also a big moment for Clemsonto be able to respond to that devastating
loss and to be able to goon the road and have that opportunity to
(02:12):
get a revenge avenge whatever you wantto say, against that Georgia Tech team,
who obviously I feel, stole thatone in Little John in double overtime,
where again the Tigers seemed to bein control down the stretch there,
but obviously lost that one ninety threeto ninety. But now you're sitting here
tied for fifth in the ACC.Obviously a lot of action that's already been
(02:35):
going on today, but this isnow an opportunity to sweep this series against
the Seminoles this season. Yeah,winners of four out of five. Now
the Clemson Tigers are and you know, the only lone loss in that mix
was one of those single digit losseswe talked about down to one point there,
seventy eight to seventy seven loss.Back on the seventeenth, two,
(02:57):
NC stayed at home, and nowyou come back home. You're in the
cozy confines of Little John for acouple of straight games here against Florida State
tonight and then you got Pitt comingup on the twenty seventh. Good to
be back home, but looking backat what happened in this game against Georgia
Tech, a game that you know, look, there's a lot at stake
every single time you tee it upin the ACC no doubt about it.
(03:19):
Eighty one fifty seven win, fourplayers in double digits, including leading all
scores Ian Shefflin, by the way, nineteen points. This chef was cooking.
We all know that. Chase Huntanother big game of eighteen points,
girared with fourteen to eleven. PJ. Hall kicked in eleven points. So
again scoring from everybody when it comesdown to Clemson there. But how about
(03:40):
Ian Shefflin, what a game hehad nineteen points in this one. Rich
Well coming home to the Atlanta areathere both Chase Hunter and Ian Shefflin where
you know Chases from the Westlake HighSchool there and Ian Grayson High School in
Loganville, Georgia, and they combinedfor thirty seven points, nine rebounds of
an assist and finished fourteen of twentytwo from the field, in seven of
(04:02):
ten from the three point line.And I think that's when you start seeing
just again the backcourt for Clemson whenyou have Chase Hunter, when he can
do more than just driving to thebasket and some mid range jumpers. And
that's one of his strong suits,is that ability to attack the rim.
(04:25):
And also he can hit that fourteento seventeen foot mid range jumper. But
when all of a sudden he cango four to six from beyond the arc,
watch out. That makes the Tigersteam completely different. It sure does.
And you know pg Hal again thescoring has been down of late,
but again this is his thirty seventhconsecutive double digit scoring game. He remains
(04:45):
a mainstay in terms of what they'redoing right now, not just offensively but
defensively for this team. Well,just think about this. Tigers scored eighty
one points and PJ. Hall tookeight shots. Yeah, I mean that's
efficiency and I think that's what youwant this Tigers team to be. And
I think when you now having guyslike a Jack Clark being able to get
(05:09):
you know, twenty seven minutes there, Not that he scored a lot,
but he was able to hit somekey shots to a four from beyond the
arc. So it extends that defensehas to come out and then ultimately that's
going to allow more opportunities when theyhave to extend out that PJ. Hall
and Ian Shefflin they're going to beable to eat down low. And we
(05:30):
can see some of that. Butthis was a game where Clemson coming out
to start the game twenty three tonine. It was in a scenario where
they had to lean a whole loton PJ. Hall. And I think
that's also big right now too,John, because we talked about it the
last show. We're at the pointof the season where these guys are tired,
Yeah they are. These guys arebanged up, and the reports are
(05:54):
you know that both Ian and PJwho were a little bit under the weather
over the past couple of weeks.So how much have they actually been practicing
not only from being under the weather, but also just this time of the
season where you can't continue to practicethe same way you have been at the
beginning of the season because the wearand tear. I mean, you're playing
(06:14):
these games every two to three days. That's just not a lot of recovery,
and also having to continuing to putin the work in practice. So
I think it's been a big partof Hey, g if you can win
some of these games and PJ Hallonly takes eight shots and you score eighty
one points, that's a good scenariofor the Clemson Tigers. It is.
It takes the pressure off Haul andsome of the others there in terms of
(06:36):
key scoring, and you spread thewealth there, and you have others that
can jump in from the bench andcontribute. That's a big time deal.
When you look at Georgia Tech,what happened to them in this game.
They led six to three early,very early in this game, and then
Clemson, as they've done throughout theyear in some of their big wins,
they go on a massive run twentyto three run with five of their first
(07:00):
three or five of their first sixthree pointers going through the hoop there.
And that's a huge run for Clemson. And they've had games like this rich
where all of a sudden you turnaround and Brad Burnell's team they can go
from you know, being kind ofstagnant to this just explosive run twenty to
three. What a job by thisteam early in the game to sort of
not only just set the tone butget off to the right start and forced
(07:23):
Georgia Tech into some bad shots.That's right, And it was interesting.
What if you watch that game.At the beginning of the game, both
teams were on fire. They bothteams start out the game with three three
pointers, and so you're like,okay, here we go, it's going
to be a shootout. And thenClemson was able to ratchet up the defense
and we're able to now close outmuch better against the Yellow Jackets there.
(07:46):
And you mentioned in that run thatthey had to get that big lead and
then it was all downhill for Clemsonafter that. Now Georgia Tech, they
were able to make their a littlebit of a run there in the second
half, but Clemson seemed to bein control of this game from the very
beginning. And that's what you wantedto see from Clemson, that once Georgia
(08:07):
Tech made a little bit of theirrun, that Clemson didn't falter. And
that's what we've seen in some ofthe second half. A twelve point lead
against n C State is evaporated andobviously the Tigers end up losing. But
here against Georgia Tech, you couldsee Clemson just seemed to be in control.
And I think a lot of ithad to do with the defensive effort
holding Georgia Tech to fifty seven points. And I think this was also a
(08:30):
scenario that played out that we're BradBurnell, he challenged his team after that
NC State game. They had atough film session and it really had talked
about, Okay, this is thepoint you're going to decide how this season
is going to finish out. Whatchoices are you going to make now,
taking full responsibility, taking action onthings that need to be done, those
(08:54):
little things, the extra defensive effort, the extra rebounding effort, whatever it
might be. And I think theplayers responded, and we saw it in
this game against Georgia Tech. Yeah, he was talking about that after the
game quote. It was kind ofreminding them that we're a lot closer to
the end than you realize. It'salso reminding them that we aren't the ten
to one team, We're the eightand seven team in the ACC. You
(09:16):
better stop believing that you're a tenand one team. We've got to be
better. So it was a wakeup call. I think you go through
the motions of a season, youhit that wall a little bit in terms
of oh conference plays here where thepressure mounts up. But now you get
a win like this on the roadin an ACC environment. Again, they're
not in the quad one section hereof the department, as we talk about,
(09:37):
but it's a big win on theroad. And as we talk about,
just make your shots. You startmaking your shots to amazing You get
more assists from shots made all thethings come together, no question, and
how many times we talk about it. When you look at the schedule,
it's games that you should win orgames that are going to be tough,
and Clemson has been in that scenariowhere in the past they lose some of
(10:00):
the games where they shouldn't lose.It should be a game that hey,
on paper, you're more skilled,your roster is better, and this is
not a shot against Georgia Tech.Damon Stotdamire is doing a great job,
in my opinion his first year tryingto get things going again in Atlanta,
to try to relive those glory daysof the eighties and the nineties with Bobby
(10:20):
Crimins as the head coach down thereat Georgia Tech. But this was a
Clemson team that came out there andwe're able to showcase just how much better
their roster was. And I dobelieve that that was very important going on
the road that you talked about,John, because it's so important and so
tough for these teams to win onthe road in the ACC and this was
(10:45):
a game though that Clemson needed tomake sure that they were able to get
that victory and gain some more confidence. Now coming back home, tonight against
Florida State. Because this is alsoanother scenario where as the races continuing to
try to get into that the elusivetop four in the ACC. To get
(11:07):
that double by I mean, youhave to have those type of road victories
against Georgia Tech and then now youhave to have an opportunity of putting yourself
in position for a home victory againstFlorida State, especially because you're tied with
Florida State for that fifth seed rightnow in the ACAS. Hard to believe
Florida State being where they are overall, they're still right there. It's Leonard
(11:28):
Hamilton John for years, the agelesswonder. He just continues to showcase that
they will fly under the radar.Now, this is obviously not the Florida
State teams that we have seen inyou know, the twenty nineteen twenty twenty
season. Obviously that was cut shortwith COVID and Florida State was crowned ACC
(11:50):
champion that year. But this isstill a dangerous Florida State team. We've
seen it play out throughout the season. That's why they're sitting there fifth in
the ACC, no doubt about it. Now, keep poor this game to
Georgia Tech trim lead down to six, Clemson pushed it back to double digits
and they let forty three thirty oneat the break. I thought there was
a big moment in the game,big stretch of the game for Clemson,
(12:11):
as you talk about they've blown thesedouble digit leads in these games before.
To withstand that sort of push byGeorgia Tech was big And how cool was
it if you're watching the television broadcastto see Jim Beaheim calling the game with
Joseph Gerard out there kicking in fourteenpoints. He certainly was proud, I'm
sure if his old Syracuse Orange productgetting out there and mixing it up with
(12:33):
double digit points. So that gameand Jim Beheim talked very highly of Joe
Joseph. Let me make sure youget his full name in there, Joseph
Gerard the third And yeah, Ithink that is a very nice moment,
you know, from that perspective,And I know they were talking about on
the broadcast different stories with the twoof them, and then even more so
(12:54):
as Wes Durham and ever showcasing Iguess the story of Jim Beheim how he
was confused with Bernie Sanders and exactlyin just a classic story from that perspective,
like Beaheim was like, no,wait, Wes, you didn't tell
it right, let me tell thestories exactly. Well. Jim Beheim,
(13:18):
he's he's definitely has earned the opportunityto sit in that chair as a color
analyst after an amazing basketball career anddid it all at Syracuse, which still
that blows my mind when you thinkof it from that perspective. Obviously,
with how people move around different jobsto jobs over the past thirty years,
(13:39):
it has completely changed from that perspective. But Jim Beheim, he's a little
bit of an old man, getoff my lawn type of guy, right,
you know, he doesn't always saya whole lot, but obviously he
has the pedigree and he knows exactlywhat he's talking about from an X and
(14:01):
O perspective, And I do believehe has a little bit of a personality
and it's starting to come out alittle bit more because he doesn't have to
worry about the pressure of the mediaalways asking the questions that gets under his
skin and him have to explain himself, you know, each and every day.
So I do think you'll start tosee a little bit more of Jim
Beheim and his personality come out ashe continues doing some work as a color
(14:24):
analyst. I think he needs apodcast, tell you the truth. If
he doesn't have one already, Ithink he'd be a great podcast. Listen.
I would subscribe thousands of stories.Thousands of stories. I promise you
he definitely does well. We gota good one coming up here between Florida
State and Clemson. You can catchthat game right here on ninety two point
five WeSC. Coming up next,we got Will Van Dervoort joining us from
(14:46):
the Clemson Insider. He is lifefrom Little John. He's going to give
us some insights as far as whereClemson stands here in the net rankings,
they're path at the NCAA Tournament,and more about the Clemson program at large.
This is the Ingles count Down totip Off Show ninety two point five
I w SC ninety two point fivew d s E is the Upstate's new
home for the Clemson Tigers. Checkin c I got a huntree you two
(15:33):
more than then goes chuck down.A tip off show continues getting you ready
for a big ACC game tonight.My goodness, Clemson needs another one to
keep building that resume. They gotFlorida State coming to town. They're in
play for a very good seeding inthe ACC Tournament as well. We'll see
(15:54):
what happens in this game coming up. Shutly here, Don Munson, Timburray
on the call right here on ninetytwo point FIVESC courtesy of the Clemson Athletic
Network. Don't forget listen to uson our sister station weekdays one o four
point nine Fox Sports Upstate. Youhave the Richmond Weavers Show at three pm,
game on with John Ellis and TreyFalco from four to six pm.
(16:15):
Check us out one oh four nineFox Sports Upstate started three pm every single
weekday. In a common guest,a common voice on that station from time
to time is our good friend whojoins us now from the Clemson Insider.
It's uh Will Vandervoord, who's goingto be live here at Little John here
shortly checking out this game and makingsure he's staying on top of Clemson's run
not only to the ACC Tournament,but to the Big Dance, as we
(16:38):
assume they're heading there right now.Will, how you doing, buddy?
Good guys? Hi y'all doing man, and happy Saturday to you. Get
ready for a huge game here,Yeah, no doubt about it. Clemson
right now, coming in with thateighteen win overall against Georgia Tech. Let's
talk about that game. They godown and avenge that really bad double overtime
(16:59):
loss Little John from a few weeksback against Georgia Tech. But they left
no doubt in this game. Theywent on a twenty to three run.
Ian Shefflin led all scores, whichis great to see the Atlanta product getting
that done. Your thoughts from theirlast win, Yeah, that was a
good win there in Atlanta. Shefflinand PJ. Hall went combined six or
(17:21):
seven from towntown. Just what happenedand what Georgia Tech was doing. Georgia
Tech was packing it in and herecalled that overtime game, double overtime game.
PJ and Ian combined for fifty onepoints. So they weren't going to
let him get anything underneath the basket, at least that's what the game plan
was. So they were leaving themwide open at the top of the key,
and both guys, both Clinton postplayers, made them pay, especially
(17:45):
in that first half as they builtthat lead. The most important, the
most impressive thing I thought about thatwas how Clinton kept its flit on the
gas. We've seen this year inseveral instances where they built a big lead
at Florida State, they let FloridaState get back in it before winning.
Did the same thing at North Carolina, did the same thing at Syracuse.
Well, in this one, theygot the big first half league and this
(18:06):
time they kept it. They didn'tlet off the gas very I thought one
of the best games they've played efficientlyall year on both sides of the court
defensively. Brad talked about how theyreally after that NC State game went back
and he told them He's like hewent and got like tapes, guys of
every ACC game this year and howpoorly they've played on defense, and he's
(18:27):
like, you know, you,guys, you're so you're not that team
that was ten to one. Thatteam is not here right now. You're
this team, and you got tostart playing better if you want to get
where you want to be and nottry to think you're that ten and one
team, but you're this other teamnow and you got to get better,
especially on the defensive end of thecourt. And you saw that. I
think Georgia Tech went six of twentyfive from the field in the second half
(18:51):
and was just one of the eighthand three point range. Crimpson, I
thought played a great game on thedefensive end of the court. Their best
game of the year, I thinkdefensively in that game. Will Van der
Voort is our guest here on theIngles Countdown to tip Off show right here
on ninety two point five WeSC mistervan Dervoort from the Clemson Insider, And
so you talk about that, Will, just in terms of Clemson kept their
(19:12):
foot on the gas, and Iagree with you one thousand percent that this
was an opportunity for Clemson to showcasethat they do have a better roster and
somewhat of that killer instinct. Butthis seems to also be a team Will
that is a little bit of Jeckylland Hyde in terms of that killer instinct
at home versus on the road.And we've seen the scenario play out in
(19:36):
the big moments against Virginia, GeorgiaTech, NC State, and Little john.
But then you counterbalance that with howthey played on the road at Syracuse,
how they played on the road atNorth Carolina, at Pittsburgh, and
then obviously getting the victory against GeorgiaTech. What makes with this team in
terms of how they've had the letdownsin Little John where you think normally that's
(19:57):
when you are at your best inthe big moments at home. Yeah,
it's crazy. I think of thetop I think I can't I know,
going into yesterday, Clemson was likenumber twenty six in the RPI and I
think you had to go to numberthirty three to find a team that had
as many. I had more lossesthan Clemson at home. I think Kentucky
(20:19):
has the same amount of home lossesin the in the I think Kentucky's twenty
four in the in the NET rankingand they have four home losses as well,
they're eleven and four. So Clemsonin Kentucky as the top thirty teams
are the only two teams with fourhome losses. So it's crazy, you
know that they've just not played aswell at home, especially in acc play,
(20:44):
and to be interesting to see,like you said, how do they
play tonight? You know, dothey kind of get over that home is
a mental thing now? Richmond?Right? I mean, yeah, you're
wondering if it's just in their headsthey're like you know, we just don't
feel as comfortable, you know,playing at Little John through whatever the reason.
You know. So maybe you know, they maybe it's because they played
better with the crowds against them.You know, all these things can be
(21:06):
going in their heads. So youhope they get out to a fast start
in tonight's game and guys not onlywin to night's game, but go and
beat Pittsburgh on Tuesday. And Idon't want to get ahead of myself,
but Clemson hasn't won back to backa SEC home games yet the season.
Yeah, and so you'd like tosee them kind of put two or three
games at home here as they closeout the regular season. They got three
(21:27):
home games left. You'd like tosee them win all three and kind of
close out some positive momentum that LittleJohn Coliseum. I think the Clemson fans
would like to see that team they'veseen at North Carolina, that team they
saw at SYRAHCU, that team theysaw at Georgia Tech. They'd like to
see him a Little John two yeaat some point, you know, and
hopefully tonight they'll get to. Yeah, and even that team they saw on
(21:48):
the road against Duke, where there'sobviously still controversy swirling around that loss also
on the road, But I doagree with you Will that it seem,
for whatever reason, there's something that'splaying out where is it the home pressure
and the crowd. It's just somethingthat you typically don't see, you don't
(22:11):
and and Cleinson's historically has been really, really good at Little John's him.
I mean, even the bad Clemsonteams have always played well at home.
And and that's because it's always I'vealways said Little john is a underestimated,
you know, underrated kind of homevenue. I don't agree it's the credit
(22:33):
they deserve. I think Clemson's alwaysyou know, if you look at Clemson's
record, even when they played Dukesin North Carolina, you know they're much
better against those teams historically at LittleJohn obviously, and and have had their
share of big wins. So yeah, it's you know, it's it's it's
kind of crazy this year that thisteam perhaps maybe the best Clemson team I've
seen in thirty years or thirty twoyears, going back to that nineteen ninety
(22:57):
team that won the ACC championship.To see this team like struggle at home
as good as they are, andthe team I think has a legitimate chance
to play for an ACC championship.It's just crazy, man, it really
is. Will Vanderbard is their guestfrom the Clemson Insider. He's seen all
the Clemson teams over the years,aging himself a little bit there, but
(23:18):
listen, I don't disagree with you. This particular team has a lot of
talent and a lot of potential.One of those players that is coming of
age right now is, of course, Chase Hunter. The last few games
here, fifteen and a half pointsper game, fifty percent shooting, twenty
four assists to seven turnovers. That'sfor their last five ACC games we're talking
about here, that happened to bewins. Four of those five. Talk
(23:41):
about Chase Hunter, not only whathe's been through personally in terms of the
injuries coming back from that, buthow vital he's been to this stretch of
late with Clemson getting back on track. Yeah. Sorry, Chase Hunter is
a key reason why Clemson has playedWhen they win games, Hunter and Joe
Garrard, they're playing well right andso that's been that's been a big deal
(24:04):
for Clemson the last couple of gamesespecially. He looked at Georgia Tech game,
he went back home in that secondhalf. I don't think I think
Brad said it after the game.Chase Hunter was the best player on the
floor the other night, and he'sright, he was. I mean,
eighteen points, he was six often from the field overall, he had
six assists, I believe, sixrebounds. Just a great stat line and
(24:30):
center goes, so does Clemson.When he makes plays and he gets to
the basket, he creates a lotfor Clemson inside the lane and then that
opens up things on the outside towhere he can kick it out. I
think Clemson had twenty one assist theother day, which was huge, right
in the sense of what they're tryingto what they want to do and how
they want to distribute to basketball andget good shots off. And I thought
(24:52):
that was just big that Chase wasplayed the way he did the other night,
and also in those other games youmentioned. You know, when Chase
Hunter is on, Clemson had achance to win the game. It has
a chance to win every game.And if he got Joe and Chase playing
well, then Crimson is almost unbeatable. Will Vanderwertz, our guest from the
Clemson Insider, Let's not sleep onfootball here, this the basketball show.
(25:14):
But you got a spring game comingup on the fourth of April. Here
just an early primer on what tolook for in that game. We'll be
down there of courch Rich and Iand I know you'll be there. The
football season ever sleeps, my friend. The spring game is right around the
corner. Yeah, spring practice startshere on Wednesday. The Tigers will be
playing. They'll be playing. They'llbe playing on the Wednesday, start practice.
(25:40):
Then they got practice on Friday.So yeah, definitely, I'll be
a big week coming up here andthen that'll set it up for the spring
game here in a few weeks,about six weeks from now in the valley.
Interestingly, what I want to lookat is a center position. I
think that's one of the things yougot to watch out for, you know,
is Ryan let it come? Ishe going to be the guy that
over and takes over that center position, or do you see a guy like
(26:03):
har Sewell move over and grab itfrom the guard positions. You're going to
get other guys back Walker Parks andguys like that that you haven't seen on
the offensive line in a while.Marcus Tate will be back, so you
know, see how Clemson uses themin the spring. Do you want to
keep them out a little bit longeror do you want to get them playing
so they can get back to customto getting hit and stuff like that,
so they're not going to fault campthat way. So some interesting stuff.
(26:27):
I think that's the number one battleyou want to see. And and then
I think people are anxious to,you know, to see those wide receivers
that are coming in and what they'regoing to look like this coming season,
and and and what they're going tobring to the table. So a lot
a lot of I guess, ifyou will. I know a lot of
people are starting to get on theClemson bandwagon and seeing nationally. So we'll
(26:49):
see if if all that holds trueand when they play in the Valley here
in a few weeks. Wrapping upwith Will Van der Voard of the Clemson
Insider, and so will you footballobviously right there, So you've got football
getting ready to start, You've gotbasketball heating up as we're coming to March,
and then you also have got baseball. How are you juggling everything that
(27:11):
you've got going on right now atthe Clemson Insider, Well, I call
it crossing over season, and that'sall. It doesn't have anything to do
with trying to you know, pfake my crossover on the basketball court.
But you know, yeah, soyeah, you know, you're you're just
trying to juggle all three. Obviously, basketball is at the top of the
(27:32):
things that they're in the heat oftheir season, right and they're you know,
trying to make this run to theNCAA tournament and maybe do I dare
say it, maybe an ACC championshipkind of run. We'll see if they
can get to be a top fourseed, Richard. I think they got
a great chance. I really do. Yeah, and so and then you
know, and of course baseball seasonthey play the big rivalries next week with
(27:56):
South Carolina where they you know,they go play that neutral game in Columbia.
I'm using air quotes there, soyou know, that'll be big next
week. And then and then ofcourse, you know football, which is
always the kingpin, as we know. And what the reason I have a
job, the reason you guys havea job. It is what it is.
And you know that's always a bigdeal and we want to make sure
(28:19):
that's covered. So yeah, we'llhave all that covered, man. And
oh, by the way, softballand gymnastics. We got all that also
websites. We're we got it allgoing on, man, But thank goodness,
we got a big staff over here, and we can get it all
covered for all the fans, nodoubt about it. Follow their work at
the Clemson Insider dot com. Asfor Will, you can follow them at
Steeler Will on X and Will.I'm wishing the best for you in the
(28:41):
quarterback search that continues for you andFalco Steelers. I don't know what to
tell you. You always say followthe local beat writers for the best news,
because I'm hearing Russell Wilson rumors andI just don't see it, my
friend. No, yeah, we'reSteeler sent out there. Don't listen to
what the national people are saying.You know, you ain't going to chuck
the people at Pittsburgh and it's goingto be any pick it and Mason Rudolph.
They're going to try to do everythingthey can to keep Mason Rudolf before
(29:04):
free agency gets started. So we'llsee, we'll see if they can do
that. That's their plan and theywant that to be the quarterback battle this
coming year. Well. Follow themup at Clemson Insider dot com. After
tonight's game, there'll be a fullrecap, I'm sure, and into the
next coming weeks. Here more onClemson's prospects of reaching the Big Dance and
where they'll be seated. Of course, it's exciting time right now for Brad
(29:25):
Brunell's program. Will Vandervoard thanks forjoining us, my friend John, Thanks
Man Richmond. Thanks. We'll talkto you guys next time. Yes,
sir Goes, thank you Will forthe Clemson Insider dot com with some interesting
perspective on all things Clemson right now. When we come back, we'll take
a closer look at what's going onaround the ACC. Around the top twenty
five give you closer look at whatFlorida State's all about. This big matchup
(29:48):
between the Seminals and the Tigers comingup here shortly on ninety two point five,
we sc the Engles countdown to tipoff. Show continues right here ninety
two point five w E s E. Is the Upstates new hole with a
Clemson Tigers. You got Clemson FloridaState coming up here shortly on ninety two
(30:18):
point five weesc the Clemson Tigers comingin eighteen and eight overall looking add another
ACC win to their total is It'sgetting very competitive in this ACC race.
As rich has talked about, gettingthat number four seed is critical to get
that double bibe. We'll see ifbrad Renods Tigers can get it against a
very game Florida State team. Don'tlet the overall record fool you. Look
(30:41):
at where they are on the conferenceand look at Leonard Hamilton's group, how
they've played as a whole over thecourse of the year in conference. It's
just like these other teams we've talkedabout in the ACC. There are no
days off, there are no surprisesanymore as to who can beat whom in
this conference. And when you lookaround the total picture of the top twenty
five ride now obviously some games inprogress, but coming up later this evening,
(31:06):
more big games in the top twentyfive. Villanova Yukon tip off coming
up here at eight pm. Numberone Yukon and never say never against Villanova
here a number one Yukon team thathas shown they can fall at any point
as well. Tennessee number five.Overall, they've had their ups and downs
this year, Richmond, they've remainedin the top five. Taken on Texas
A and m at home they're twentyand six right now. A and M
(31:27):
is fifteen and eleven, number twentyon Washington State. They're twenty one and
six, taken on Arizona State onthe road number twenty two. Colorado State
travels to UNLV tonight at eight pmand the late night the Nightcaps eighteenth ranked.
Saint Mary's hosting San Diego. They'retwenty two and six right now.
Saint Mary's is that's a ten o'clocktip off, as well as San Diego
(31:48):
State nineteenth in the country. Takenon Fresno State, they're twenty and seven
right now for Resnue I'm sorry SanDiego State is at the moment. That's
also a ten pm tip off onLate Ones CBS network. I don't think
we're going to make it to theend of that one, my friend,
but sort of a nice tip offtime that night. And Little John good
to be back home at the Colosseumthat you know, Will Vannibor who just
(32:09):
joined usrom the Clinton Insider had talkedabout one of more underrated, underappreciated venues
in coat tubes. Yes, andLittle John went through some renovations back in
twenty sixteen, and I think theymade vast improvements, and it was all
predicated on the idea of making ita more intimate type of setting. Used
(32:31):
to see about thirteen thousand people,and yes, that's great when you can
fill thirteen thousand, but what wesaw historically is that it's just difficult.
And then so when you have ascenario playing out where there's only seven thousand
people showing up, then all ofa sudden, thirteen thousand arena, venue,
(32:53):
whatever you want to call it,looks empty and it doesn't have the
same type of feel. So nowwhen you have Little John where they reduce
the number of seats and converted thefloor where they actually turned it so at
a different entryway, all of that, now you have nine thousand plus seats,
(33:14):
and now if you have seven thousandfans there, it still feels like
a full house. It still feels, you know, the energy that you
can have there from the crowd.And I think that's a big part of
what they were able to do withLittle John. And that's why I love
it as a much more intimate typeof setting and having that type of scenario
(33:35):
because I do believe that Little John, when the crowd gets into it,
it does have an effect. AndI know you can look at maybe this
season it hasn't necessarily played out asfar as Clemson losing some of those or
I should say, Clemson winning someof those close games where they ended up
losing at home, and you wouldthink that the crowd would help that.
But I do believe that there's beensome games where Clemson has been able to
(33:59):
win where there has helped, andBrad Burnell has talked about that quite a
bit, and so I do thinkthat little John can be a factor.
And I agree with Will Van Dervoortthat it is underrated, especially when Clemson
gets going and the crowd gets intoit. But as we know, John,
the way you get the crowd intoit, the way you get attendance
(34:21):
there, the way you have thatopportunity of filling the arena, whether it's
seven thousand, nine, eighteen thousandand thirty thousand, when you win,
things change. You know that,we know that in every sport. We
know that as far as the NFLgoes a sport that I cover a lot
more closely than college basketball, boywinning is the ultimate deodorant, as they
(34:44):
say, and you can get thatcrowd back in their fast and furious if
you start putting together some wins.Clemson right now sitting there at twenty fifth
in the net rankings, and that'sreally so important. You look at where
they were this time last year.I think it was eighty first in the
net rankings around this time with acomparable record and all that entails. But
(35:04):
again it comes down to these netrankings, and again, just a great
job by Brunell's program in terms ofgetting the wins they need at the right
times during this stretch. It's adifferent picture this year entirely. Although the
records aren't that different, it justfeels like a better team. I think
it's a better team overall, andcertainly the net rankings show that. As
(35:25):
Clemson. I don't want to sayyou can just you know, coast here,
but you have some breathing room.You have a little bit of wiggle
room to play with there, whichI think can relax you as a team
a little bit and let you playa little more loose. Oh yeah,
no question. And obviously again winningcan help breed some of that, and
that's why it is important, especiallydown this stretch of the season. And
(35:47):
Will Vandervelt. Vandervolt talked about itfrom the Clemson Insider that Clemson hasn't been
able to have back to back homevictories at Little John this season, So
can you get that one here todaytonight, I should say, against Florida
State, and then follow that upwith Pittsburgh coming into town and how important
that's going to be, especially aswe're seeing all the movement going on in
(36:10):
college basketball with the games today andhow that's shaping out in terms of who's
going to be in and who's goingto be out. And obviously Joe Lenardi
right now has Clemson as a lockthat they would be in the tournament,
and I agree wholeheartedly with that.As you look at the ACC, North
Carolina, Duke, and Clemson arethe teams that you can put that padlock
(36:32):
on in my opinion, that theyare going to be in. And more
so I'm talking about the Clemson Tigers. We do know that Duke and North
Carolina are going to be there,but it's Clemson that still seems to,
for whatever reason, have some questionmarks. But I don't think that we
should even be questioning Clemson's resume atall. They are complete lock. It's
the other teams like a Virginia WakeForest Pitt Panthers who made a little bit
(36:58):
of a run coming back down toEarth a little bit, you know,
from that perspective. But this iswhy it's so important right now to have
confidence going into how you're finishing theseason. And part of it too,
is it not only just for Clemson, but obviously these other teams that are
fighting in all of these other conferences, and how the NC Double A Committee
(37:22):
looks at these teams and how importantit is that they will talk about,
oh, how they finished the season. Are they on a hot streak?
You know, how are they cominginto the tournament? That does play a
factor into the NC Double A selectioncommittee. And so I do believe it's
important now for Clemson to be ableto capitalize on that big victory against Georgia
(37:44):
Tech on the road and now comehome to be able to do it tonight
there in Little John Coliseum. Someinteresting comments from Brad Brunell. As always
throughout the course of the week,he did talk about, and this is
from our friends at Tiger Net,the ACC schedule isn't working for head coach
Brad Burnel. The ACC currently playstwenty league games in men's basketball. For
Burnell, who's Tiger's travel to Atlantato take on Georgia Tech Wednesday. This
(38:07):
is obviously an article from a fewdays ago. Would be prefer a lesser
number. He thinks playing more outof conference games would change the narrative that
the ACC is weaker now that it'sbeen in the past. Quote the twenty
league games. I would have preferredeighteen. I just think we've tried this,
it's not working as well. Iwould rather our teams play out of
conference games. I think some otherleagues are doing that and manipulating some of
(38:30):
the numbers a little bit. Butthen also it just gives us a chance
as a league to play some otherteams head to head to help change the
narrative, which I think is completelywrong. He thinks eighteen is a better
number, and that's from David Hoodat tigernet dot com a few days ago,
And that's part of the conversation.When you look at bracketology here right
now from Lenardi. You know theconference breakdown, the Big twelve has nine
(38:52):
teams right now going to the BigDance, the ACC with four of them.
They rank well down that list.In fact, I think seventh among
all conferences in terms of teams projectedto send other teams to the conference championship.
Any thoughts on what Brunelle had saidthere, Well, yeah, and
especially as we're getting ready to expandthe ACC, it's going to be completely
(39:12):
different next season. And we alreadyknow that the ACC is announced that the
bottom three teams in the ACC standingsregular season will not make the ACC tournament,
right, right, So they're completelyeliminated. And I still don't know
how I feel about that. I'mkind of on the fence about that too.
Yeah, you eliminate these teams,And especially as we're continuing to hear
(39:38):
more and more about especially on thefootball side, Hey, we want this
expansion for opportunities to allow other teamsto get into the college football playoff?
And is it twelve teams? Andwe've obviously know that that's going to happen,
but there is also now even moreconversations apparently going on that would they
(40:00):
look at fourteen teams in college footballplayoff? And is it you know the
team that conferences like the ACC arepushing for that, So then the ACC
would have an opportunity for more teamsbecause we know a lot of this is
being driven by the big ten inthe SEC. We know that from that
perspective, but so we have iton one side, they're wanting to expand,
(40:22):
so you give opportunities to other teams, and then on the flip side,
well, but in the conference,you know you're going to be penalized
if you lose. And I understandthat. I get that, Hey,
you've got to perform, and thisis you know, your audition basically to
make it into the tournament. ButI think that's one of the beautiful things
(40:45):
that we've always enjoyed about these conferencetournaments is that, Hey, your regular
season is obviously important, but whathappens if you do get hot, yeah,
right at the end of the season, and then all of a sudden
into the tournament, when you're havinga Cinderella story in the conference tournament.
And so I do think it's interestinghow it's going to play out, and
(41:07):
I do understand what Brad is talkingabout, because I also do like the
fact that, yes, you canplay some more of these non conference games,
and I think it gives it abetter opportunity so you can judge teams
based on their resume from that standpoint, and because it's very difficult to judge
in my opinion, conference to conferenceand just saying, oh, well,
(41:28):
this goes when you look at teamsbeating up on each other in the conference,
how does that measure out to howyour resume is versus somebody else in
a different conference. It's just verydifficult. So if you have more opportunities
from a non conference standpoint to seesome of these matchups, then maybe you
have a better understanding of who shouldbe in the NCAA tournament and who should
(41:51):
not. What I will say though, is I definitely like the aspect of
expansion in college football. Yes,because we can settle it out on the
field. Yep. And I knowI'm going to sound like old man,
get off my lawn, but Ilove me some NCAA tournament the way it
is right now. We don't needto expand beyond sixty eight teams. I
(42:15):
thought it was absolutely fantastic with sixtyfour. I agree with you, And
yes, okay, you have alittle bit of evolution, you have a
little bit of growth, and youexpand to the sixty eight and you know,
the first four in or the firstfour out, and I do believe
there's some excitement from that standpoint,But man, it's hard to argue that
(42:37):
the NCAA Tournament March Madness is notperfect the way it is right now.
No, it's not. I mean, look back at Clemson with their Quad
one games. There are four andthree in those right now. Third among
ACC teams with three Quad one wins, North Carolina, Duke and Cleintson obviously
right there the mix. Cleinson's numbertwenty three in RPI and has the number
(42:59):
thirty six net strength the schedule inthe country. The Tigers RPI strength the
schedule is number fourteen, number threeh two last year. So obviously a
big difference there when you look atthat portion of the rankings. As the
Clemson Tigers prepare to take on theFlorida State Seminals, the game coming up
here at seven forty five Right hereon WeSC ninety two point five coming up
(43:21):
next, Rich and I will takeone last look at this Florida State matchup.
Who to look out for in termsof key players for the Seminals.
This is Dingles Countdown to tip OffShow ninety two point five WSC ninety two
point five WDSC is the Upstate's newhome for a Clemson Tigers. Thanks for
(43:50):
being with us here on this Saturdayevening, getting you ready for Clemson men's
basketball as they're playing host to FloridaState Day or fourteen and twelve. Right
now, the Siminals are there eightand seven in the conference, tied with
Clemson at eight and seven. It'sa dog fight right now for positioning in
conference play, trying to get tothat four seed. A lot of games
in progress right now, a lotof action happening that will adjust the standings,
(44:12):
of course, but you're focusing rightnow on this Clemson program coming up
at seven to forty five pm.The tip off begins with Don Munson Tim
Beurret on the call, and Donand Tim will take over here in just
a few short minutes. Keep itlocked in at ninety two point five WeSC
all evening long for Clemson basketball action. Look at Florida State here a team
(44:32):
that Clemson did have success against earlierthis season, but a team also that
had a bit of a losing streak. They have come back and put it
together, bookend wins against Boston Collegeback on the sixth, and then most
recently on the twentieth, they tookdown BC eighty four seventy six. It's
a team that again fourteen and twelveoverall. But don't sleep on a Leonard
(44:53):
Hamilton team, a team that hasscores, a team that played in that
three game losing stretch Richmond against Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Duke some competitive
basketball and could have come away withwins against each of those three teams.
Oh yes, no question about it. And this Florida State team is among
the best teams in the ACEC ATgetting to the free throw line third most
(45:14):
attempts behind Louisville and North Carolina.And that starts with their leading scorer,
Jamir Watkins. He's averaging almost fifteenpoints per game, but sixteen points in
the conference and is second in theACC and free throws made at one hundred
and eighteen. So this is aFlorida State team that they know how to
get to the free throw line.They can put you in some disadvantages and
(45:37):
so Clemson's going to have to stayout of foul trouble. And also Clemson's
going to have to protect the ball. And that's what was great in that
game against Georgia Tech. Twenty oneassists on only six turnovers in that game.
So that's a big aspect of whyClemson was able to come away with
that big victory and excuse me,five turnovers in that game against Georgia Tech,
(45:58):
not six. I know, BradVernelville, Hey, wait a second,
don't give us that extra turnover.Not even close. But Florida State
they force the most turnovers per gamein the ACC, fifteen point two turnovers
per game. And that's a bigpart of why Florida State is competitive and
why they are sitting there tied withClemson fifth in the ACC heading into tonight's
(46:22):
action. And again, Jamiir Watkinsand Darren Green Junior are both in the
top ten and steals in the conference. So you have to be able to
protect the ball for the Tigers tonight, and obviously that's going to be on
the shoulders of Chase Hunter and JoeGirard, but also when you're able to
get it down low to a PJ. Hall to Ian Shefflin, however it
(46:44):
might be, those guys are goingto have to be able to make the
right decisions when the double team comesand not get into a scenario of having
some of those early turnovers there togive Florida State any type of confidence tonight,
because you need to come out andhave the same type of in energy
and especially on the defensive side forthe Tigers against the Seminoles. You mentioned
(47:05):
Jamier Watkins against six foot seven juniorfrom Trenton, New Jersey. His production
has gone up clearly this season.You look at his last game, the
win against Boston College, he hadtwenty two points, eleven rebounds to assist,
he had the steal. As youmentioned, the steels have been there.
He scored over twenty points five timesin the last month there, including
twenty six in the loss of VirginiaTech. He put up twenty seven at
(47:29):
Syracuse. Never easy to do that. So again just to quickly talk about
how vital it is to neutralize Watkinsas their leading score right now. Yeah,
And like I said though, withWatkins, he does it on both
ends of the court, and that'swhat makes him so difficult just from a
perspective of you've got to be ableto defend him. But then he's also
he's that ball defender that will annoyyou as a guy bringing the ball up
(47:52):
the court, and how he canalso help off on different scenarios, So
you do have to keep that intoconsideration. That's why obviously being able to
slow him down and then also slowin Green Junior down. It is going
to be key for the Tigers tonight. It's the eighty fifth meeting all time
between Florida State and Clemson on thehardwood. Clemson trails the series overall thirty
(48:14):
eight forty six, but in LittleJohn twenty four to thirteen advantage for the
Tigers. They're back home. They'relooking to get back to their winning ways
at home. Building a winning streakat home would be nice, and that's
key to this game tonight. ForTrey Falco, for Richmond Weaver, for
our guest Will Van Dervoort. I'mJohn Ellis. This has been the Ingles
Countdown to tip Off Show, broughtto you by our good friends at Ingles
(48:36):
Low Prices, Love the Savings.Coming up next Don Mounson, Tim Beray
right here on the Clemson Athletic Networkscoverage of Tigers basketball. Thanks for listening.
We'll see you next time on theIngles count Down to tip Off Show
ninety two point five WSC
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