#70 Clemson Men's Basketball 2021-2022 Preview

Jacob Young
Wed, 09/01/2021
 
 
Clemson Tigers
 
2021-2022 Overall Rank: #70
Conference Rank: #10 ACC
Clemson Logo
 
Clemson made their second trip in the last four seasons to the NCAA Tournament in 2021. The Tigers started the year 9-1 and were ranked as high as 12th in the AP Poll. However, they stumbled down the stretch losing three of their final four games, including each of their postseason appearances. This year, Clemson must adjust to life without their best player and All-ACC big man Aamir Simms. The Tigers do return three starters and bring in a couple of quality transfers, but it will be difficult to be more than a middle of the pack team in the ACC.

2020-21 Record: 16-8, 10-6
2020-21 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Brad Brownell
Coach Record: 201-150 at Clemson, 368-235 overall
 
Key Departed Players:
Aamir Simms, Forward, 13.4 ppg
Clyde Trapp, Guard, 7.3 ppg
Jonathan Baehre, Forward, 4.3 ppg
John Newman, Guard, 3.7 ppg
Olivier Prosper, Forward, 2.5 ppg
 
Key Returning Players:
Al-Amir Dawes, Junior, Guard, 9.0 ppg
Nick Honor, Junior, Guard, 8.1 ppg
Hunter Tyson, Senior, Forward, 7.5 ppg
Alex Hemenway, Junior, Guard, 4.7 ppg
PJ Hall, Sophomore, Forward, 3.5 ppg
Chase Hunter, Sophomore, Guard, 2.9 ppg
 
Key New Players:
Josh Beadle, Freshman, Guard
Naz Bohannon, Senior, Forward, Transfer from Youngstown State
David Collins, Senior, Guard, Transfer from South Florida
Ben Middlebrooks, Freshman, Forward
Ian Schieffelin, Freshman, Forward
 
Projection:
Junior guards Al-Amir Dawes and Nick Honor highlight the returning players for Clemson. Dawes started 15 of 24 games, averaging 9.0 points and 1.9 assists while shooting 39.4% from three. Honor started 10 games and averaged 8.1 points, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals. Dawes and Honor will give Clemson an experienced backcourt, which is a major advantage in college hoops. Hunter Tyson started 12 of 19 games and led the Tigers in three-point shooting percentage at 43.1%. Tyson is the lone non-transfer senior on Clemson’s roster. Alex Hemenway, PJ Hall and Chase Hunter all return after playing limited roles last season. Hall has the most potential for a breakout this season. He is a former South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year and was a top-50 prospect coming into his freshman season. Clemson adds two graduate transfers in David Collins and Naz Bohannon. Collins spent the last four seasons at South Florida where he averaged double-digit scoring each season. Collins also added 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game for his career, so Clemson is getting an all-around talented guard. Bohannon spent the last four seasons at Youngstown State and was an All-Horizon League member last year. Bohannon averaged 16.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists last season. Aamir Simms’ departure left big shoes to fill, but Bohannon has the talent to potentially do so. Lastly, Clemson brings in three freshmen, all ranked as three-star prospects. Relying on transfers is risky, but Clemson will likely have to if they want to compete in the ACC.
 
Projected Postseason Tournament: NIT
 
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 64.9 (307th in nation, 15th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 61.9 (12, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 42.5 (247, 12)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.8 (85, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.2 (81, 7)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.5 (133, 10)
Free-Throw Percentage: 76.9 (28, 4)
Rebound Margin: -0.2 (185, 9)
Assists Per Game: 13.3 (163, 10)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.6 (128, 8)
 
 
Madness 2021 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#153 Ian Schieffelin