In the 85th matchup between the two schools, Florida State will look for revenge against the Clemson men’s basketball team as the Seminoles head into Littlejohn Coliseum in one of both teams’ final games of February.
A little over a month ago, the Tigers (18-8, 8-7 ACC) traveled down to Tallahassee, Florida, and defeated the Seminoles by 11 points. Since then, Florida State has struggled to get back on track, losing five of its last eight games. Clemson, on the other hand, hasn’t been efficient at home. In the team’s last three contests in Littlejohn Coliseum, Clemson was upset twice by ACC opponents.
Clemson had a disastrous finish in the last game played at home, falling to NC State in a heartbreaking, last-second contest. The Tigers seemed to bounce back in the next game with a commanding win over Georgia Tech. Earlier in the season, the Yellow Jackets stung the Tigers in a surprising win.
Clemson head coach Brad Brownell was still not entirely impressed with his team’s defensive effort late against NC State.
“Defensively, we weren’t good the last 10 minutes,” he said of the NC State game. “It was a game of runs. I think they outplayed us early, 39-29, the first 18 minutes or so.”
The Tigers will have to be productive on defense if they hope to slow down the Seminoles’ offense. Offensively, the Seminoles are led by forward Jamir Watkins, who averages 14.8 points and 5.8 rebounds a game. He is complemented by senior guard Darin Green Jr. and junior guard Primo Spears, who both average double-digit points.
Florida State (14-12, 8-7 ACC) becomes a dangerous team playing down the stretch of games, holding an NCAA record of 14 straight overtime wins. That said, Clemson will hope to put the game away in regulation.
A big reason for the Tigers’ offensive success this season has been forward Ian Schieffelin. Schieffelin has been one of the most improved players for the Tigers and in all of the ACC. He is one of only 17 players in the country averaging at least 9.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
Alongside Schieffelin, PJ Hall and Joseph Girard III will look to work efficiently on Saturday night as the regular season begins to wrap up ahead of postseason play.
The ACC matchup will tip off at 7:45 p.m. in Littlejohn Coliseum.
