Date: Friday, November 13th
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Littlejohn Coliseum – Clemson, SC
TV: ESPNU
After it’s soft launch with wins over Stetson, American, and North Dakota, Clemson basketball gets fully underway with the Georgetown Hoyas making a return trip to Clemson after beating Clemson in Washington DC last year.
Clemson has not exactly instilled confidence in the hard-core fans who anxiously watched the first three games. Although all resulted in wins, the performances were uneven. Things started
well in the opener with Clemson holding a 25-point lead at halftime. Then they allowed 48 points in the second half to Stetson to win by 13. In game 2, American gave them more of a battle than you’d like to see. In Monday’s bout with North Dakota, they allowed 40 points in the first half and trailed by two before pulling away late for a 15 point win.
In our season preview article, we cited defense as a potential concern entering the year. Missing Carter Welling’s help-side defense has been part of the equation. Asking Ace Buckner to play less aggressively to avoid foul trouble since they need him so much on offense may be an even bigger factor. With Dillon Hunter still ineligible and Harris Reynolds not appearing quite ready for major minutes, Buckner is needed for >30 minutes per night.
Clemson has fallen from 50th to 73rd in KenPom and their defensive efficiency ranks 108th. With Georgetown coming next, that defense will be tested. The Hoyas have scored at least 80 points in each game.
Do you want to support STS writers? You can do so by supporting our sponsor, Section 103. They deep dive school traditions to create thoughtful designs artfully applied to insanely comfortable tees, polos, hats, and more. Be sure to use our promo code STS10 so you get 10% off your first order and we get credit for sending you their way. Their founder, Steven, has been good to us and we think you’ll love their Clemson merch. Click here to explore.
On the flipside, Clemson’s offense looks as dangerous as expected. Ace Buckner has blossomed into a legitimate ACC-caliber star. He turned rebounds into fast breaks, makes 3-pointers at an unsustainably amazing 47.1%, and averages 5.3 assists per game. TCU transfer Liutauras Lelevicius has been excellent. He is averaging 8.0 points per game and leads Clemson with a silly good 165.0 offensive rating. His wildly good efficiency is buoyed by a team-leading nine 3-pointers at 64.3% and 16-17 free throw shooting. We’ll see how well this offense can continue its torrid pace against a quality Big East opponent in Georgetown.
For more detail on the Hoyas, I connected with Rasheen Carbin from the Bleeding Blue & Gray podcast.
Ryan Kantor: Georgetown has made the tournament just once in the last 12 seasons (2021) and it was a quick exit as the 12-seed. Prior to that, Georgetown was a powerhouse. They have made five Final Four appearances with the most recent in 2007 with Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert. They won the National Championship with Patrick Ewing in 1984! In the new era of college sports, where does this program belong? Are they closer to Nebraska (football) and Syracuse (basketball), where they’re down and may not have a smooth road back, or more like Miami (football) who struggled for years, but has roared back as many expected they would?
Rasheen Carbin: Georgetown is closer to Miami than Nebraska or Syracuse in terms of its potential, but a return to the top is far from guaranteed. Its location, national reputation, basketball history, wealthy alumni, and Big East membership give it advantages few programs can match. The question isn’t whether Georgetown can compete with the best programs again, but whether the university is willing to invest the money, resources, and leadership needed to make it happen.
RK: Last year, Georgetown beat Maryland, was 3-0, and delivered the Tigers first loss. I remember being impressed with the team and the venue and thought the loss would age well, but Georgetown went just 10-17 for the remainder of the regular season. KenPom is cautioning me against getting too high on either Georgetown (82nd) or Clemson (72nd). Are you as low on the Hoyas as KenPom is?
RC: I am high on the Hoyas. Last season was derailed once C Vincent Iwuchukwu had to sit out 10 games due to a pre-planned medical procedure. In addition to Iwuchukwu, Langston Love, Julius Halaifonua, and KJ Lewis missed significant time. DeShawn Harris-Smith took a leave of absence mid-December and never returned. Caleb Williams tore his labrum in January but played through it. I understand Georgetown has exhausted any benefit of the doubt, but I also have a hard time believing that for the third year in a row they will be wrecked by injuries.
RK: So far, what are you seeing as Georgetown’s strengths and vulnerabilities?
RC: Strengths include scoring and passing. Weaknesses may be rebounding (292nd in rebounding %) and ball security (141st in turnover %).
RK: Even though Clemson has been better at basketball than football post-2020, it’s still culturally a football school and is known as such. Is there any cache playing an ACC program in this home-and-home (there is for us given the Hoya’s history), or does it feel awkward playing a Southern football school?
RC: It’s good preparation for the Big East. Clemson is a big, physical team, just like a lot of Georgetown’s conference rivals. Playing an ACC school is great for the résumé and as a measuring stick for how far the program has advanced in the offseason.
RK: I remember Jaland Lowe as a speedy, combo guard at Pitt a few years ago. He wasn’t the most efficient, but he could stack points quickly when hot. He went off for 22 points and 8 assists against Maryland. Is he expected to be Georgetown’s best player or just off to a great start?
RC: Jaland Lowe is not only expected to be the best player on this team, but also its most important. Georgetown was terrible in close games last season, in large part due to lack of a seasoned floor general. Jaland gives you playmaking, scoring, and leadership. His health and productivity are critical to this team realizing its goals and making the NCAA tournament.
RK: Finally, what are your expectations for this game and season?
RC: I expect this game to be tight and physical, just like the meeting at Capital One Arena last season. My prediction is that Georgetown emerges with a close victory. As for the season, I have them going 20-12 and making the Big Dance.
