Clemson Tigers
2018-2019 Overall Rank: #24
Conference Rank: #7 ACC
Clemson won 25 games in 2017-18, their highest win total since the 2006-07 season. The Tigers earned a 5-seed in their first NCAA Tournament since 2011 and got to the Sweet 16 where they lost to top-seed Kansas. This season, Clemson will have to fight their way back to the NCAA Tournament without two of their top three scorers from a year ago. Donte Grantham got injured in January last season and he is now graduated. Sharpshooting guard Gabe DeVoe has also graduated. Clemson will have three key starters back from last year’s squad, though. The ACC is going to be highly competitive as always, so Clemson can’t afford to take any steps backwards from last year’s success.
2017-18 Record: 25-10, 11-7
2017-18 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Brad Brownell
Coach Record: 149-113 at Clemson, 316-198 overall
Key Departed Players:
Gabe DeVoe, Guard, 14.2 ppg
Donte Grantham, Forward, 14.2 ppg
Mark Donnal, Forward, 3.7 ppg
Scott Spencer, Forward, 1.3 ppg
Gabe DeVoe, Guard, 14.2 ppg
Donte Grantham, Forward, 14.2 ppg
Mark Donnal, Forward, 3.7 ppg
Scott Spencer, Forward, 1.3 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Marcquise Reed, Senior, Guard, 15.8 ppg
Shelton Mitchell, Senior, Guard, 12.2 ppg
Elijah Thomas, Senior, Forward, 10.7 ppg
Aamir Simms, Sophomore, Forward, 4.0 ppg
David Skara, Senior, Forward, 3.3 ppg
Anthony Oliver II, Sophomore, Guard, 2.1 ppg
Clyde Trapp, Sophomore, Guard, 1.8 ppg
Malik William, Sophomore, Forward, 1.5 ppg
Shelton Mitchell, Senior, Guard, 12.2 ppg
Elijah Thomas, Senior, Forward, 10.7 ppg
Aamir Simms, Sophomore, Forward, 4.0 ppg
David Skara, Senior, Forward, 3.3 ppg
Anthony Oliver II, Sophomore, Guard, 2.1 ppg
Clyde Trapp, Sophomore, Guard, 1.8 ppg
Malik William, Sophomore, Forward, 1.5 ppg
Key New Players:
Trey Jemison, Freshman, Center
John Newman III, Freshman, Guard
Hunter Tyson, Freshman, Forward
Javan White, Junior, Forward, Transfer from Oral Roberts
Trey Jemison, Freshman, Center
John Newman III, Freshman, Guard
Hunter Tyson, Freshman, Forward
Javan White, Junior, Forward, Transfer from Oral Roberts
Projection:
The Tigers will get their leading scorer from 2017-18 back in Marcquise Reed. Reed earned All-ACC Second Team honors behind 15.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game as a junior. Reed was a steady hand who took charge of the Tigers last season, especially following Grantham’s injury in January. Shelton Mitchell is another reliable player returning to man the point guard spot for Clemson. Mitchell started 32 games as a junior, averaging 12.2 points, 3.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds. Elijah Thomas also started 32 games last season, averaging 10.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. Thomas is a consistent force in the paint on both ends of the floor for the Tigers. Reed, Mitchell and Thomas will give Clemson a solid nucleus, but they’ll need some added production from the bench this season. Aamir Simms, Anthony Oliver II, Clyde Trapp and Malik William all played limited minutes as freshmen but will be more relied upon this season. Simms started 12 games following Grantham’s injury and should become a full-time starter as a sophomore. David Skara gives Clemson some experience off the bench as a senior in his second season with the Tigers. Newcomer Javan White will also provide much-needed experience for Clemson as a grad transfer from Oral Roberts. White averaged 10.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists last season with Oral Roberts. Clemson also added three players to this year’s freshman class. John Newman III, Trey Jemison and Hunter Tyson are all three-star prospects who could see limited playing time this season. Clemson has given themselves high expectations following last season’s trip to the Sweet 16. The ACC will be tough as always, but the return of Reed, Mitchell and Thomas should give the Tigers enough production to stay competitive in the conference and get back to the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 73.8 (170th in nation, 9th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 65.9 (29, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.6 (130, 8)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.6 (21, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.2 (111, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.6 (92, 7)
Free-Throw Percentage: 75.5 (44, 2)
Rebound Margin: 2.4 (96, 5)
Assists Per Game: 13.2 (202, 12)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.8 (80, 5)
