Ashleigh Snyder
Clemson guard Jake Heidbreder drives to the basket in the Tigers' win over North Carolina on Feb. 10 at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Clemson men’s basketball is riding a wave of momentum as it heads on the road to face Florida State in Tallahassee, Florida.
Coming off back-to-back statement wins in ACC play, including a thrilling upset over No. 2 Duke and another strong victory over North Carolina at home, the Tigers will look to keep their momentum rolling when they travel this weekend.
Clemson (20-5, 12-2 ACC), led by head coach Brad Brownell, is playing some of its best basketball of the season. The team’s impressive win over Duke solidified its ability to compete against strong opponents. Leading the way for the Tigers is guard Chase Hunter, who is averaging 17.6 points and shoots 42.9% from beyond the arc.
Clemson will also rely on forward Ian Schieffelin, who has been a notable presence in the paint, grabbing 9.5 rebounds a game. Another key contributor has been transfer center Viktor Lakhin, shooting 41.3% from beyond the arc. He scored 22 points in both wins against Duke and North Carolina.
Florida State (15-9, 6-7 ACC) will pose a tough road challenge on Saturday. The Seminoles, led by longtime head coach Leonard Hamilton, will be hungry for an ACC victory against Clemson. They are led by guard Jamir Watkins, who averages 18.2 points per game, and forward Malique Ewin, a dominant presence inside averaging 8.2 rebounds per contest.
Rebounding will also be a major battleground. Both teams are averaging around 35 rebounds a game and second-chance opportunities could be a deciding factor.
Both teams are coming from a two-game winning streak and, if Clemson can limit its turnovers and execute offensively, the team has a strong chance to extend its winning streak.
Tipoff is set for noon, and the game will be broadcast on the CW Network.