Clemson Loses Key Guard for Season After Hand Injury Against SMU
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Clemson junior guard Dillon Hunter will miss the remainder of the season, including the NCAA Tournament, after suffering a broken hand in the Tigers’ 57-54 win over No. 6 seed SMU in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday night.
According to basketball analyst Jeff Goodman, Clemson head coach Brad Brownell confirmed the injury on Friday.
“Clemson's Dillon Hunter broke his hand in yesterday's game and is out for the rest of the season, Brad Brownell told Field of 68,” Goodman tweeted.
Hunter sustained the injury while attempting to make a steal early in the second half. He played just eight minutes before exiting and was later seen on the sideline with a soft cast on his hand.
“I don’t think it’s good. I think he probably broke his hand,” Brownell said after the win over SMU. “It’s a little bit of an emotional letdown for your team when a guy has been playing so hard. You get to this time of year, you want to play, and it goes sideways.”
Hunter has been a vital piece for Clemson this season, averaging 5.4 points and 23 minutes with nine starts and providing a steady defensive presence as a versatile guard-forward hybrid. He started on the perimeter, giving the Tigers crucial flexibility.
“Dillon is like the ultimate glue guy for us,” Brownell added. “He’s got an unbelievable assist-to-turnover ratio. He’s a really good defender, both on and off the ball. [A] facilitator, and he doesn’t really need to score. He’ll shoot an open shot – and he’s experienced. I should say that too. So, yeah, it’s a little harder [without him].”
With Hunter sidelined, junior Jake Heidbreder, who played 22 minutes against SMU, is expected to take on a larger role. Heidbreder, a 6-foot-5 guard, has averaged 4.2 points in limited action (14 minutes per game) but provides 40 percent three-point shooting that could help space the floor.
Freshman point guard Del Jones, standing at 6-foot-2, is also likely to see an increased role, with Brownell acknowledging the adjustments.
“Obviously, Del Jones is a freshman. He’s going to get a few more minutes. He’s kind of a jitterbug guard that’s learning how to play, gives you great energy,” Brownell said. “And then, Jake Heidbreder is a little bit more of a three-point shooter. They don’t play like Dillon, so it’s different and something we’re going to have to adjust with going forward. But certainly, it will be a great opportunity for those other guys on our team.”
No. 3 seed Clemson (27-5) will face No. 2 seed Louisville (26-6) in the ACC Tournament semifinals Friday night at 9;30 P.M. EST, hoping to secure a deep postseason run despite Hunter’s absence. The Tigers are projected as an NCAA Tournament team but will need to make key rotational adjustments as they push toward March Madness.