Clemson vs Newberry Basketball Game: A Sneak Peek Into the Tigers' Season

12 Years in the Making

Rewind to January 25th, 2011 at Little John Coliseum in Clemson, SC. You would find an excited 14 year old at his first Clemson basketball game for his birthday with his dad sitting beside him watching the boy's eyes glow while following the action. That was one of the best memories of my life. Now fast forward to November 1st, 2023 at Little John Coliseum in Clemson, SC. You would find a grown up version of that 14 year old sitting beside his father again, this time 3 rows off the court, both with media passes.

12 years ago my father took me to my first Clemson Basketball game and I was hooked! On Wednesday, I was able to take my father to both of our first game as credentialed media and our first press conference. 

On Wednesday, we were able to see our first glimpse of this years men's basketball team of Clemson University as they took on the Newberry Wolves in an exhibition game. It was an exciting game with a lot of great take aways. 

Shoot Around: A Glimpse of Excellence

The pregame warm-up was filled with promise and excitement. The lights-out shooting from both teams had us all on the edge of our seats. Joe Girard's impressive form had fans buzzing, and Josh Beadle's determination was palpable. Godfrey's boundless energy, evident in his spirit during the run-through, set a tone for the evening.Starting Lineup: The Tigers Take the StageStarting Lineup: The Tigers Take the Stage

Starting Lineup: The Tigers Take the Stage

The starting lineup featured Chase Hunter, Ian Schieffelin, Joseph Girard, Chauncey Wiggins, and PJ Hall, a formidable group ready to make their mark. Chase, Ian, and PJ have been in the starting line up before for the Tigers. Chauncey, the sophomore forward, made his first start after appearing in 27 games last year. Girard, who is a season point guard and veteran on the court, had his first start as a Tiger but not first start as he is coming to us via transfer from Syracuse where he was their star player. 

First Half: A Rollercoaster of Action

The first half was an exhilarating ride, with moments that had fans on their feet and others that left us shaking our heads.

• Joe Girard made an impact with the first points, and followed that with a forced turnover on the first defensive possession.
• Chauncey Wiggins played with a presence that felt like three people on the court.
• The initial minutes had their ups and downs, with open shooters, sloppy passes, strong moves, and some strategic plays.
• Jack Clark stepped in for Wiggins, marking the first substitution of the game.
• We were able to catch a glimpse of PJ Hall's athleticism after a swift steal, fancy handles, then a powerful slam. 
• Asa Thomas, the young freshman had his first moments as a Tiger and while he didn't light up the stat sheet, his minutes were valuable. 
• We went into half with the score Clemson: 53 Newberry: 37.

Second Half: The Tigers Maintain Their Edge

The second half picked up where the first left off, with the Tigers demonstrating their skill and resilience.

• Clemson led 57-31 with 15:41 left, as PJ Hall continued to dominate.
• Shieffelin played the most minutes out of the starts. Most were removed for the game at the first "TV Timeout" of the half but Ian stayed in much later.
  
• Seeing some of our new players and what they bring to the table was exciting! 
• Bas Leyte, the graduate transfer originally from the Netherlands, shined late. His rebounding presence, passing from the paint, and defensive force was encouraging.
• The half ended with a great "Feel Good" moment where Clemson Native, Andrew Latiff, scored his first points as a Tiger. Latiff was the teams manager last year but, after a lot of hard work, he is now a guard for the team and went 1-4 with 3 points in 3 minutes.  

Final Thoughts: The Tigers Shine

In the end, the Clemson Tigers secured a resounding victory, with the final score of 90-39. This exhibition game left us with several key takeaways:

• The 2-3 zone defense proved effective.
• The team's size on the court provided a refreshing change from the usual lineup.
• Ian Schoefflin showed significant progress in the offseason.
• Newcomer Asa Thomas showcased his potential for valuable minutes.
• Chase Hunter's one-on-one defense was impressive, although he faced challenges in the zone.
• Jack Clark made a positive impression on the court. Seems as though he could play anywhere from the 2 to the 5.
• Godfrey's charismatic personality left a lasting impression. What a great energy he has. 
• We were able to see every Tiger on the court other than Alex Hemenway, who is out with a hamstring injury.  

Conclusion

As the game came to a close, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation for what the Clemson Tigers would bring to the upcoming season. With more talent, size, and potential than ever before, it's clear that this team is bound for greatness. We don't foresee any chance of missing the tournament and believe they'll secure a top-four spot in the ACC.

During the post-game press conference, we had the chance to witness the players' personalities firsthand. Ian Scheffelin and Godfrey stood out, and it's evident that the team is filled with dynamic and entertaining characters. However, it's also important to note that injuries are affecting the Tigers, with several key players dealing with various setbacks.

This game provided an exciting sneak peek into what promises to be an outstanding season for Clemson basketball. The Tigers have a lot to look forward to, and their fans are ready to support them every step of the way.

It was a great night for Tigers everywhere and it definitely was a night to remember, especially for this father and son!

Go Tigers!

John Bivens