Keys for Clemson to Reach First Final Four
By: Cameron Burnett March 30, 2024

It’s Clemson-Alabama in the postseason, but this time it’s on the hardwood.

Just over four months to their last meeting, the sixth-seeded Tigers take on the Crimson Tide with a chance to reach the Final Four for the first time in program history.

The first game gave a great appetizer for what this meeting could be. Here’s the keys to watch with tipoff at 8:49 p.m. on TBS.

Guard play is king

When Clemson took down No. 23 Alabama on the road, it was a spirited effort from both Chase Hunter and Joseph Girard III. Each scored at least 15 points, shot over 50 percent from the field and hit a combined seven three-pointers.

Shotmaking was at a premium in that contest and it came from both ends as Mark Sears and Aaron Estrada made it a duel. The Crimson Tide’s pair combined for 39 points but fell short.

The Tigers have Hunter playing the best basketball of his career and winning the battle in the backcourt could decide the game.

Control the pace

Clemson hasn’t led for a grand total of 50 seconds in this NCAA Tournament run. When that’s the case, head coach Brad Brownell can control the pace with his scheme and use the improved defense to constrict the opposing hopes.

Those weren’t the circumstances in the Nov. 28 win, but a track meet isn’t the Tigers’ domain. Albeit Alabama shot 34 percent in that game so replicating that effort is key.

If Clemson can jump out to a lead early, it can rely on possession basketball and ride it to a win.

Limit Grant Nelson

There’s always a player that shows up in March and has a big game. For the Crimson Tide, that was Grant Nelson going for 24 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks in a win over No. 1 seed North Carolina.

Looking at the matchup with Clemson, it has Jack Clark written all over it. The veteran transfer is often tasked with defending the wing scorer and that’s the case here.

The trio of Alabama guards are already a large task. Allowing the impressive forward to replicate that performance could choose the Tigers fate. Defense has been the calling card in March, and it will have to be again.