Clemson traveled to Washington DC for their first major test of the young basketball season, and we were treated to a fun, physical basketball game. Georgetown came out swinging, playing extremely aggressive
defense and seemingly flustering the Clemson offense. If not for a missed FT and missed open 3-pointer, the Hoyas could have built a double-digit lead very early. Clemson showed grit as they clawed their way back. As each team got into their depth, the game flipped. Instead of Clemson looking like they’re battling to keep up, they began setting the tone.
When RJ Godfrey exited with his second foul (a poorly decided block/charge decision) Carter Welling entered the game and became the star of the first half. In just 14 minutes, he scored 11 points while playing excellent defense. Conversely, when freshman Ace Buckner expertly drew a pair of fouls on New Zealand 7-footer Julius Halaifonua it undermined the Hoya’s post defense. Clemson’s bench held a 24-5 scoring advantage at halftime and Clemson led by 3.
The second half went back and forth with Georgetown retaking a slim lead before Halaifonua fouled out in the first five minutes. This turned out to be a pivotal point in the game. Clemson appeared poised to take control with Georgetown forced to play with an undersized lineup, but the opposite happened. Hoyas Coach Ed Cooley went to a zone defense and Clemson was immediately flummoxed. Without great outside shooting, Clemson looked lost and allowed the Hoyas to build a double-digit lead.
Before the game got out of reach, the Tiger offense began solving the zone and making buckets. At the same time, Clemson moved to a zone defense of their own. This allowed Clemson to chip away. With about 3 minutes left, Nick Davidson made a bucket on a great post move to cut the lead to 2. A Tiger comeback was afoot!
Georgetown responded by sneaking a player behind the zone defense for a crowd-igniting alley-oop dunk. On the next possession, Carter Welling crowded Dillon Hunter. When Hunter turned to pass it to Welling, he was practically standing next to him. This caused Hunter to hesitate and then turn the ball over. The Hoyas would zip down the court and score again. After another defensive stop, KJ Lewis nailed difficult step back jumper to push the Hoya lead to 9. Lewis was Georgetown’s go-to guy in the second half scoring 17 in the half.
Wahlin knocked down two desperation 3-pointers, to cut it to 3, but couldn’t get a the key stop they needed in the final minute and fell 79-74.
It was a well-played ballgame by both teams, but Clemson’s lack of outside shooting proved to be a problem in this contest. Aside from Jake Wahlin who isn’t a high-volume shooter, the Tigers don’t have a ton of outside shooting. Jestin Porter struggled at times and otherwise would be that guy. Clemson doesn’t have a single star player like Chase Hunter last year or PJ Hall the year before. The depth was excellent, but in key moments when the offense was stuck in the mud, they didn’t know where to turn.
I believe Georgetown is a tournament team and this loss will age well, however it makes the November 21 game against West Virginia in Charleston a near-must win for the Tigers. Clemson will need some non-conference resume wins come March and their best chance to get them will come in Charleston. Before that, they’ll have to take care of business against North Alabama in Littlejohn Coliseum this coming Monday.
