Clemson Tigers News: Tigers break into Top 25, face hot Wake on road

Clemson Men’s Basketball finally broke into the top 25 on Monday, coming in at number 19 and their reward is to face a red-hot Wake Forest team on the road.

We’ll have more on the game later, with our predictions, of course, but all indications are another close game can be expected.

While the games may not end up being within a basket or two in the final score, there’s no doubt they’re close and a run at the right time can, and often does, make the difference, such as Clemson holding Duke without a field goal for the last 5:07 of the game Saturday.

This is a fun team to watch and they aren’t necessarily reliant on one guy to win, as it seemed like they were in previous years.

One day it’s Hunter Tyson, the next it’s Chase Hunter, then the next is P.J. Hall, with a side of Ian Schieffelin and Brevin Galloway.

Two unsung heroes, though they’re a little more sung about these days, is Schieffelin and Ben Middlebrooks.

They’re not going to win any awards for grace and style, but they will certainly win awards for “want to” and grit.

Each game they’re matched up with someone they have no business covering or trying to score against and they come up with enough points, rebounds, assists and loose balls to help the Tigers get by.

Clemson Men’s Basketball coach Brad Brownell has been the focus of fans ire for years, rightfully so, but he’s done a fantastic job this season

I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention the job Brad Brownell and his staff have done.  This is a well-coached team, certainly better than in the past and the evidence is so simple that it’s probably overlooked by most.

Most notably – getting the ball in bounds in crucial situations, putting the players in positions to be successful and not asking them to do too much.

There’ll likely come a stretch when this team struggles, but 18 games is about 60% of the season and yes, the Tigers had two horrid games, but on balance have wildly exceeded expectations.

Wake is a good team, not to mention one that shoots better than Clemson and will be at home, where they play even better.

It’ll be a test for the Tigers.