Clemson basketball will take on the Iowa Hawkeyes as the #8 seed in the XXX Regional at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, FL on Friday.
For the Tigers and head coach Brad Brownell, it is another opportunity to prove that Clemson basketball belongs on the big stage of March. Clemson (24-10) has, in recent memory, advanced to the Elite 8 in 2024 under Brownell, and the Tigers feel as if they have a team that can make a similar run this season.
Looking at the matchup, though, there is a start contrast in styles between Clemson and #9 seed Iowa.
Most noticeably, Clemson basketball is far more balanced offensively, with six players averaging between 7.5 and 11.9 points per game. RJ Godfrey is the Tigers’ leading scorer, but Clemson has many viable weapons that can stretch a defense and making defending them difficult.
Jestin Porter, Nick Davidson, and Ace Buckner are complimentary offensive weapons that Iowa has to account for, too. And when it comes to outside shooting, the Tigers have made more three pointers, 279 to 264, than Iowa.
Conversely, the Hawkeyes’ main scoring threats, at least statistically, rest in the hands of just two players. Guard Bennett Stirtz averages 20 points per game for Iowa and presents a challenge defensively. He is followed by Tavion Banks at 10.5 points per game as the only two Hawkeyes who average double figures in scoring.
Iowa (21-12) has arguably the most dynamic player, but it could be postulated that Clemson has the most complete roster.
The Tigers also have an advantage on the boards. Clemson basketball averages 34.3 rebounds per game as a team, while Iowa tallies just 29.4. Stretching the Hawkeyes’ defense while outrebounding them should be a recipe for victory for Clemson.
The Tigers earned ‘locked’ status in terms of earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament with their victory over North Carolina in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals, and they hope their penchant for performing well in the clutch serves them well in the coming days.
ACC Tournament: Clemson Tigers vs. UNC Tar Heels | Full Game Highlights | ESPN College Basketball
Should Clemson win their opener, waiting in the round of 32 would almost undoubtedly be #1 seed and juggernaut the Florida Gators. But the Tigers will cross that bridge when they get to it. Beating Iowa on Friday is item number one.
