There will be reunions on both ends of the court as Clemson and NC State face off in Littlejohn Coliseum Saturday.

Both teams lost a player to the other program in the transfer portal last year and this will be the first time taking on their former school. For the Tigers, it’s Ben Middlebrooks.

The 6-foot-10 big man spent two years at Clemson before transferring. Last season, he started seven games in the absence of PJ Hall. Middlebrooks also had a season-high 10 points against NC State, fitting enough.

This season has been a relatively quiet one for him, averaging five points and four rebounds over 14.4 minutes a game. Still, those  are career highs for the former Tiger.

If we’re comparing the transfers, it’s safe to say Clemson won the trade. This would’ve been a different answer a month ago but Jack Clark ha rejuvenated Brad Brownell’s squad since joining the starting lineup.

Before this season, Clark played over 26 minutes per game for the Wolfpack, averaging nine points and nearly seven rebounds as a key contributor. Since joining the Tigers, injuries have hindered him but the last month changed that narrative.

Clark has played at least 27 minutes as a starter in the last three games and Clemson is undefeated over that stretch, including a win over them No. 3 North Carolina. Over that stretch, Clark is averaging 6.3 points and 7.6 rebounds.

Without his boost, the Tigers conference struggles may have never left. That’s long gone now and Clemson has a chance to practically lock in its NCAA Tournament bid while battling for a double bye in the ACC Tournament.

The Tigers take on NC State ar 7:45 p.m. in Littlejohn Coliseum, televised on the CW Network.