Brownell Previews N.C. State; Tough Three-Game Stretch
CLEMSON -- Clemson basketball has moved up to No. 19 in the latest AP poll and some buzz is starting to generate around this program.
The Tigers are sitting at a 14-1 record, which is tied for first in the country in terms of winning percentage. This is the first time Clemson has started 3-0 in ACC play since 2006-07.
Clemson is riding its first ever 10-game win streak under head coach Brad Brownell. Now, the real fun begins.
The Tigers will play three games in five days, starting Thursday night in Raleigh against N.C. State. The same team Clemson just beat by ten days ago by 16. The same team that beat Duke by 11 on its home court.
“(N.C. State) played unbelievable in the game. Had a bunch of guys making shots,” Brownell said of the Wolfpack’s win over the Blue Devils. “They have great size inside with (Omer) Yurtseven and Lennard Freeman and (Abdul-Malik) Abu, those guys are big and strong enough to rebound and finish strong around the basket and keep people away.”
One of the biggest keys to Thursday’s game will be Clemson’s ability to battle on the boards. Brownell pointed out that his squad actually lost the rebounding margin the last time the two teams met 45-40.
“(Rebounds) will be (critical),” Brownell said. They are big and strong, physical team. That’s one of the several things that they do very well. Their frontcourt, those guys are as big and strong and physical as almost anyone in our league.”
Brownell was disappointed that his team has to make a quick trip home to get ready to play No. 18 Miami on Saturday.
“It’s a really hard turnaround, there’s no doubt about it,” Brownell said. “You got to do what you got to do. You have to play teams at different times. That’s why we play in some of those tournaments where we play in 24 hours. Certainly won’t get to practice like we would. That won’t be everything. It’ll be about how we play and compete.”
The Tigers are coming off of an impressive, gritty overtime victory over Louisville and are looking to continue stringing together their success. Brownell attributes his team’s success to the veterans.
“I think older guys have been through more things,” Brownell added. “What guys are good at matches what other guys do and that’s as important as anything. I think there is a hunger there and leadership there that our older guys have that is important.
“Really good teams are driven by the team and so far this team has been driven by the older players.”
Clemson is starting to look like a good team, a different team. A team that was plagued by bad breaks and heart-breaking losses a year ago is finally on the receiving end of some good fortune.
That’s what Brownell has enjoyed the most about his team this year.
“Watching them just work and watching the smiles on their faces when good things are happening for them,” Brownell said. “We’ve had some heartbreaking losses, we’ve had some challenges and to see some of the guys on our team that have worked this hard for several years to have that kind of success, that’s what I enjoy the most.
“It’s been fun.”