Clemson basketball score prediction vs. Florida State, odds, trends, scouting report
Clemson basketball has been able to thrive – and at times survive – because of contributions from freshmen.
The No. 23-ranked Tigers are away from home in the next two games, a road trip to Florida State for a Saturday afternoon tip and then up to Boston College early next week. If they are able to hold on to their lead in the ACC standings, it will be with help from the rookies.
Point guard Dillon Hunter started his first game Tuesday in a 72-51 win against Georgia Tech and scored nine points. He’s had 15 of his 27 points for the season in the past two games. Josh Beadle has started two games at that position, had eight points recently and is one of the team’s best perimeter defenders. Chauncey Wiggins is a 6-foot-10 wing who had a dozen points against Georgia Tech. RJ Godfrey had 10 points and six rebounds recently in a win against Virginia Tech.
“Those guys work hard every day,” said Clemson grad student Hunter Tyson, who leads the team in scoring and rebounding. “Us older players have just tried to tell them, ‘Your time’s coming. Be ready for it.’ They have been and they’ve performed really well. So, I’m just really proud of them. “
Time, channels for Clemson basketball vs. Florida State
What: Florida State (7-14, 5-5) at No. 23 Clemson (17-4, 9-1)
Where: Donald L. Tucker Center; Tallahassee, Florida
When: 5 p.m. Saturday
TV: ACC Network
Radio: Clemson Athletics Network (WCCP 105.5 The Roar), Sirius/XM 384/974
Odds: Clemson by 4.5 points
KEY INJURY: What Brevin Galloway injury means to Clemson basketball's already ailing backcourt
FAMILY MATTERS: How Chase Hunter's younger brother Dillon has helped Clemson stay on top of ACC
STILL RANKED: Clemson basketball drops but stays among Top 25 in USA Today, AP rankings
Clemson basketball vs. FSU key player trends
Clemson – Gr. F Hunter Tyson (15.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 19 steals, 44 3-pointers at 40.7 percent) has failed to score in double figures just twice this season and managed a double-double last week even in a 51-50 win against Virginia Tech. … Jr. C PJ Hall (14.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 19 blocks, 16 steals) has seen increasing minutes after being eased in because of two offseason surgeries but in the last four games has averaged 28.5 minutes, 20.8 points and seven rebounds.
Florida State – Jr. G Darin Green. Jr. (14.1 points, 62 3-pointers at 40.0 percent) is coming off this worst game of the season (five points and 1-for-10 on threes). … So. G Matthew Cleveland (14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds) is a tough matchup as a 6-foot-7 guard. He had 14 points and 16 rebounds three games ago against Notre Dame. … Jr. G Caleb Mills (13.0 points, 72 assists) has been a consistent scorer with 11 straight games in double figures.
Clemson basketball vs. Florida State injury update
Clemson starting guard and third-leading scorer Brevin Galloway (10.6 points, 55 assists, 32 3-pointers at 33.0 percent) had emergency groin surgery Thursday and is expected to miss at least two games. Galloway, a grad student, had perhaps his best overall game against Georgia Tech with 14 points and five assists to one turnover, matching his best 3-point shooting game of the season by going 3-for-6. ... The Tigers have been without two other starting guards for the past three games, both with foot injuries, and both have a chance to play against Florida State. Chase Hunter leads the Tigers in assists (77) and is second in scoring (14.0 points). Alex Hemenway has missed nine games with plantar fasciitis. He was the Tigers' best 3-point shooter at 50 percent (27-for-54). Hemenway, upon his eventual return, seems slotted for a role as a dangerous shooting weapon off the bench. … Florida State 6-7 junior guard Cam'Ron Fletcher, a transfer from Kentucky, was expected to be a breakout player in the ACC but suffered a knee injury in early December and is out for the season. He was averaging 10.8 points and 7.5 rebounds.
Clemson basketball vs. Florida State in NET, RPI, stat rankings
NET – Clemson 56, Florida State 202. RPI – Clemson 38, Florida State 188. KenPom – Clemson 58, Florida State 157. Scoring offense – Clemson 125 (74.3), Florida State 230 (69.3). Scoring defense – Clemson 85 (66.1), Florida State 290 (74.0). Shooting offense – Clemson 65 (46.7), Florida State 218 (43.9). Shooting defense – Clemson 18 (39.2), Florida State 243 (44.4). 3-point shooting – Clemson 53 (36.9), Florida State 176 (34.2). Rebounding – Clemson 176 (plus 1.2), Florida State 305 (minus 2.7).
Clemson basketball vs. Florida State: Score prediction
Clemson 70, Florida State 67 – This one will be surprisingly close, considering the teams' trajectories, but Clemson will find a way to pull it out by relying on defense and clutch players like Tyson and Hall.
Todd Shanesy covers Clemson athletics for the USA TODAY Network.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson basketball score prediction vs. Florida State, odds, trends
