The Clemson Post

8 seeded Clemson plays 9 seeded Iowa Friday, at 6:50 PM on TNT. They are playing in the South Region. According to ESPN Analytics, Clemson has a 50.6% chance to win, as Iowa is -1.5 point favorites. After Clemson’s four game skid, Clemson has gotten back on track finishing 4-2. Iowa is currently on a skid, losing four of their past five games. Statistically both of these teams stack up very well, similar in points, blocks steals, and rebounds. Iowa has a slightly better field goal percentage on the year. This is a winnable game for Clemson, but they can not come out flat like they have some this year.
The keys to the game for Clemson are, 1) Play defense. This seems obvious but this is where Clemson’s identity is, the defensive side of the ball. Clemson has the second best defense in opponents points per game. The only defense better in this statistic is the Duke Blue Devils. Clemson only allows 66.7 points per game.
2) Make the open shots. Clemson is not an offense that is going to light it up but if they can just make their open shots then they will fair pretty well. Clemson needs Jestin Porter to be the one to make what I call momentum shots, which means they change the momentum of the game. Jestin Porter is Clemson’s best three point shooter and they will need him to hit his shots. Nick Davidson, Chase Thompson, and Butta Johnson are all guys who will get shots from deep and need to be effective.
3) Limit Iowa’s transition offense. Clemson’s defense needs to get set and if they want to play great defense all game they need to limit Iowa’s transition offense.
These are just three of Clemson’s keys to win this game and if they want to make a deep run like they did in 2024.
Clemson and Iowa play Friday at 6:50 PM on TNT.