In a nail-biting game, the Clemson men’s basketball team defeated the No. 4 Kentucky Wildcats 70-66 on Tuesday night at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Here are some takeaways from the game:
Paws up: Defensive lockdown
Clemson’s stingy defense held one of the nation’s top-scoring offenses to just 66 points. Coming into the game, Kentucky averaged over 90 points per game and ranked in the top five nationally in shooting efficiency, but the Tigers’ defensive effort stopped the Wildcats’ usual rhythm.
Clemson (8-1) limited Kentucky to just under 40% shooting from the field and 25.9% from beyond the arc. The Tigers’ ability to close out on shooters and contest every look forced Kentucky into making tough shots. On top of that, Clemson dominated on the boards, limiting second-chance opportunities and controlling the pace of the game.
“We never got into a great flow, and we can give credit to Clemson for that,” Kentucky head coach Mark Pope said after the game.
Paws down: Offensive inefficiency
Despite the win, Clemson struggled to find consistency offensively. The Tigers shot just 36.9% from the field and 32% from 3-point range, which nearly cost them the game. The inability to convert open looks and maintain offensive rhythm allowed Kentucky (7-1) to stay within close distance throughout the game.
The Tigers trailed early in the first half but found their footing, taking their first lead with just over 14 minutes left on the clock. From there,
Clemson began to control the pace, building its largest lead of seven points before heading into halftime with a 37-30 advantage.
This offensive inconsistency is something Clemson will need to address as it faces more challenging opponents later in the season.
Paws up: Schieffelin’s dominance on the boards
Ian Schieffelin was a force in the paint, grabbing a career-high 20 rebounds to keep Kentucky’s physicality in check. The Wildcats are known for their rebounding, but Schieffelin’s effort helped Clemson match Kentucky’s total rebounds at 44 each.
His 12 defensive rebounds limited second-chance opportunities for the Wildcats. His rebounding presence was a key factor in Clemson’s ability to hang tough in a tightly contested battle.
It was the first time that a Tiger reached 20 rebounds in a game since 1999.
Clemson will hope to take this success to the road, where it will face Miami on Saturday at noon.
