Another year, another matchup with a Tony Bennett defense. Virginia’s packline scheme presents challenges for many teams but it generally hinges on one thing: perimeter shooting.
Clemson is the type of offense the Cavaliers can take advantage of. The Tigers don’t shoot well from 3, 35.1% on the year and most of that is dependent on road excellence. Over the last four home games, Clemson has shot 5.6, 35, 14.3 and 23.8 percent. That’s how much of a struggle it’s been and why Brad Brownell has repeatedly said “if we could just make some shots.”
Playing an inside-out offense, the Tigers are going to face double and triple-teams every time it tries to go inside to PJ Hall, Ian Schieffelin and company. In other words, it’s going to be nearly impossible to start inside.
It’s simple, Clemson has to shoot the ball well from behind the arc and exorcise its demons at Littlejohn Coliseum. Once this group proves it can do that, everything else opens up because Virginia is forced to step out and defend.