Clemson Men’s Basketball: Alex Hemenway’s return hasn’t paid dividends – yet

When he went on the shelf back in mid-December, Clemson Men’s Basketball guard Alex Hemenway was averaging right around 10 points a game.

It’s not so much the points that Hemenway’s presence represents, though that’s obviously important when you keep score, but the threat of the sharpshooter’s potential did so much to open up the middle of defenses for the likes of Ian Schieffelin and Ben Middlebrooks, not to mention P.J. Hall and Hunter Tyson.

Prior to his injury Hemenway was hitting on 50% of his three-point shots and simply couldn’t be ignored whether he was on that particular game or not, because all it took was one to rip through the net and Hemenway could be on his way.

Things haven’t gone as smoothly since his return, with the Tigers dropping all three games since then.

Hemenway played 15 minutes against Boston College and only got off one shot, a missed three ball and was held scoreless.

He played another 15 against Miami and was 2 of 6 from the floor, including 2 of 5 from deep and finished with 6 points.

Hemenway only saw 4 minutes against North Carolina, and was 1 of 2 from the field and 0 for 1 from three-point range.

Three games, 34 minutes, 8 points, 3 for 9 from the field, 2 of 7 from deep.

Hemenway’s game was always hit or miss, though.  That’s life with a shooter, especially one that shoots 3 point shots more than 75% of the time.

You live with the tough times and ride the ones he’s on fire.

With three games dead ahead that they can’t afford to lose if they hope to make the NCAA Tournament, Clemson is going to need Hemenway’s shooting to be a factor.

North Carolina exposed Clemson a bit Saturday with it’s big lineup and elite athleticism on the court.

It was a struggle for Clemson inside as Hunter Tyson only got off two shots on the day and Ian Schieffelin and Ben Middlebrooks were largely ineffective.

On top of that, the Tar Heels are the ones that nailed the three point shots and cruised to a victory.

 When hot, Alex Hemenway can carry the load for Clemson Men’s Basketball

That said, the three point shot is the great equalizer in college basketball though and gives the teams that aren’t as tall or as athletic a “shooters chance” in any game.

Hemenway is the best Clemson has and if he gets hot the Tigers will suddenly be a lot more difficult to cover.