Clemson coach Brad Brownell said the Tigers’ ability to stick to a defensive plan often has a big impact on the course of games.
These statistics are especially important on Wednesday when Stanford arrives in Clemson, SC, with the Atlantic Coast Conference’s leading scorer to start in 2025.
Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud is the ACC leader in points (21.4) and rebounds (11.8) per game, while leading the nation with 10 double-doubles in 12 games. The 7-footer will definitely give Clemson concerns with his versatility as he also tops the Cardinal with 21 baskets from three-point range.
Both Clemson (10-3, 2-0 ACC) and Stanford (9-3, 1-0) have gone since Dec. 21, when Clemson beat Wake Forest 73-62 and Stanford fell 76-61 in the former Pac- 12 Oregon foes in a neutral site game.
Clemson has a wide variety of options on offense, with four players averaging more than nine points per game.
“Every game is different,” Brownell said. “The rest depends on how the other team guards you.”
Jake Heidbreder gave Clemson 15 points off the bench in the Wake Forest game, though he ranks seventh on the team in scoring this season with 5.1 points per game.
“It’s good to see Jake loosen up and hit some shots,” Brownell said.
Stanford coach Kyle Smith said the Cardinals are adjusting to some flexibility. There was progress at Stanford, even in defeat.
“We’ve got guys who have taken some good steps,” Smith said. “… I think we’ll be fine.”
Clemson has the ACC’s fourth-most wins (74) since the 2017-18 season. Stanford is an original ACC member.
The Cardinal’s only ACC game thus far has been against Cal, so this will be the first outing of the season against a traditional ACC team. Stanford guard Jaylen Blakes is familiar with Clemson from his three seasons at Duke. He is the second leading scorer on the Cardinal with 15.3 points per game.
Clemson’s only two losses since mid-November have come in overtime. Brownell said with campus at halftime there’s a good chance the home crowd won’t be as loud as it usually is for an ACC game.
–Field Level Media
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