Three-pointers were on No. 6 seed Clemson’s side in a first round win over New Mexico, and that will be the storyline heading into the Round of 32 vs. Baylor.

The Tigers had a 7-3 advantage behind the arc against the Lobos, but the odds are in favor of the No. 3 Baylor Bears. Led by Jalen Bridges and Ja’Kobe Walker, Baylor is seventh in the country in three point percentage at 39.4.

Joseph Girard III detailed what the game behind the arc means after practice Saturday. He had his second-worst shooting game of the season Friday, but his sharpshooting could make or break the efforts Sunday.

“It’s always part of the game plan. We know we have great bigs down low that are going to help us outside, make it easier on us. Just going into the game confidently, making shots will be big for us,” Girard said.

Arguably the most impressive part of Clemson’s 77-56 win was how the opposing guards were completely restrained. Jaelen House and Jamal Mashburn Jr. shot a combined 5-25 and that’s the type of formula the Tigers have to use against the Bears.

“On the defensive end, we have to limit theirs as well. They’ve got really good shooters, make a lot of open rhythm threes and we’re going to have to limit that the best we can,” Girard said.

Defense hasn’t been the Tigers biggest strength throughout the season, but the Brad Brownell style arrived in March. It’s a representation of Clemson’s competitive fire that has sparked since losing three of its last four to end the regular season and the ACC Tournament.

“We wanted to change that and make sure that we got back to what we were doing earlier in the season. Just having that competitive edge and being competitive in practice and all those kinds of things,” Girard said.

Girard, Chase Hunter and Jack Clark will all draw the biggest tasks on the perimeter. Baylor is coming off a game with 16 made three-pointers while more than half of its shots came from behind the arc.

That’s living and dying by the three, and the Tigers are tasked with making sure it’s the latter for the Bears.

Photo courtesy USA Today Sports.