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No. 25 Clemson Looks to End Skid Against Wake Forest
No. 25 Clemson aims to regain its footing after back-to-back overtime losses as it hosts Wake Forest in an ACC showdown on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers will need a stronger defensive effort to snap their mini-skid and hold their place among the nation’s ranked teams.
Defensive Concerns Loom Large
Clemson (9-3, 1-0) has struggled defensively in its past two games, allowing opponents to shoot over 51 percent from the field. After a tough overtime loss to Memphis at home, the Tigers fell again in extra time to in-state rival South Carolina on Tuesday. Head coach Brad Brownell stressed the need for more than just effort to turn things around.
“I’m proud of the way we fought to give ourselves chances, but it’s like I told the guys — it’s not a game you can just play hard. Playing hard isn’t going to be enough,” Brownell said. “I have to do a better job.”
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The Tigers are 1-3 this season when allowing opponents to shoot better than 45 percent, making defensive adjustments critical against Wake Forest.
Wake Forest’s Defensive Strength
Wake Forest (9-3, 1-0) may not be an offensive powerhouse, shooting just 42.3 percent from the floor and averaging 68 points per game, but its defense has been disruptive. The Demon Deacons rank 20th nationally in opponent shooting percentage, holding teams to just 38.4 percent.
Wake Forest thrives on forcing mistakes, generating double-digit turnovers in all but one game this season. In their 75-58 win over James Madison on Tuesday, the Demon Deacons forced eight turnovers and held their opponent to a season-low in scoring. Head coach Steve Forbes praised his team’s defensive effort.
“We took them out of their sets,” Forbes said. “They had a hard time scoring after that. We guarded the ball without fouling. Cameron [Hildreth] set the tone with that.”
Key Players to Watch
Wake Forest’s offense is anchored by Hunter Sallis, who leads the team with 17.2 points per game. Sallis delivered a standout performance against James Madison with 27 points and 12 rebounds, marking his second-highest scoring total of the season. Last year, Sallis posted 22 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in a season-ending win over Clemson.
For Clemson, leading scorer Chase Hunter is coming off a 27-point, three-assist effort against South Carolina. Averaging 16.9 points per game, Hunter has been a consistent offensive force for the Tigers.
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“He’s a terrific player,” Brownell said of Hunter. “I’m super proud of him because he’s grown, as a young man and player, in our program for a long time.”
Clemson also leans on Ian Schieffelin, who averages a double-double with 13.8 points and 12 rebounds per game.
What’s at Stake
Clemson will look to tighten up its defense and capitalize on its home-court advantage to avoid a third straight loss. For Wake Forest, this game presents an opportunity to secure a quality road win and build momentum in ACC play. Both teams will need their stars to shine in what promises to be a pivotal matchup.
