Solely 4 Atlantic Coast Convention groups have unbeaten league data, and two of them will meet Wednesday evening at Clemson, S.C.
Contemporary off an upset, No. 24 SMU will arrive to tackle Clemson.
“We’ve some targets we wish to accomplish and we wish to compete,” Mustangs coach Andy Enfield stated. “Our gamers consider we will compete for an ACC championship. Our gamers are purchased in they usually’re competing.”
SMU (12-2, 1-0 ACC) opened league play with Saturday’s toppling of then-No. 12 North Carolina. That marked the Mustangs’ first victory towards a ranked opponent in virtually 4 years.
But no matter convention, it is no shock that SMU opened robust as a result of the group has gained its final 12 league openers.
Guard Boopie Miller has scored in double figures in 22 consecutive video games after posting 27 factors towards the Tar Heels.
“Among the best performances I’ve seen for a guard like this to not solely rating this many factors however to have 12 assists in a single recreation, on this stage,” Enfield stated.
Miller is averaging 20.4 factors for a group scoring 91.5 factors per recreation.
Clemson (12-3, 2-0) will play its convention residence opener after successful at Syracuse and Pitt, marking the primary time the Tigers have begun ACC play with back-to-back street victories. Clemson has a five-game successful streak, with all the outcomes by single-digit margins.
“Clearly an excellent begin,” Tigers coach Brad Brownell stated. “We have 16 extra video games. … I believe our group has improved rather a lot during the last month as a result of we have practiced extra, we have had extra time for movie. It has helped us develop.”
A pair of slim ACC triumphs appeared regular for the Tigers.
“We have been in that place rather a lot this 12 months,” Clemson guard Jestin Porter stated.
The Tigers obtained a lift from Porter’s season-high 21 factors towards Pitt. That marked the primary time a Clemson participant reached the 20-point mark this season.
Three gamers — RJ Godfrey (11.7), Porter (11.1) and Carter Welling (10.1) — common in double figures for the Tigers. 4 different gamers present at the very least 6.9 factors per recreation.
“That is the one factor about our group, we’ve got fairly good depth,” Brownell stated.
Brownell stated the Tigers should be cognizant of attacking on offense to allow them to earn extra free-throw makes an attempt.
“Typically it is not straightforward for us to attain,” he stated.
Clemson’s protection may have to pay attention to SMU’s shooters after the Mustangs drained 14 of 27 pictures from 3-point vary Saturday. Corey Washington made a career-high 5 3s within the recreation.
“It’s a must to should have offensive gamers gifted sufficient and unselfish sufficient to make the suitable go on the proper time,” Enfield stated.
Enfield stated guard play dictates how the Mustangs carry out.
“Our greatest gamers are our three guards,” he stated.
The Mustangs are 1-1 in true street video games. After the journey to Clemson, they go to No. 6 Duke.
“We’ve a giant week forward of us,” Enfield stated. “However for now, how (our gamers have) dealt with themselves for the reason that Christmas break has been over has been terrific and really centered.”
–Area Stage Media
