After an impressive 9-0 start to the season, including a win over Alabama in the ACC-SEC Challenge, Clemson has dropped to 11-4 and is currently on a three-game losing streak to start conference play. What is the cause of Clemson’s struggles, and can they get back on track as a competitor for the ACC regular season title?
What’s Wrong With Clemson and PJ Hall?
Clemson’s recent struggles continued on Wednesday night, losing 87-72 against the Virginia Tech Hokies. After a great start to the season, being ranked as high as #13 in the nation, many people thought this team could compete for a regular season ACC championship.
They have now lost three games in a row, and those same people are wondering what has gone wrong for the Tigers. The answer is not simple; there are many factors for Clemson’s struggles, and they will need to address them if they want to get back into the ACC title race.
PJ Hall’s Declining Production
While it is not Clemson’s biggest problem, PJ Hall’s production is simply not up to par with his output in the non-conference. He has not reached his scoring average (18.9) once during the losing streak. His shooting percentage has also been abysmal from close and beyond the arc. The six-foot-10 big man is shooting 35% from beyond the arc on the season and has a 53% field goal percentage. However, in the last three games, he has shot only 38% from the field and is 4/18 (22%) from three.
While Hall looked like an ACC Player of the Year candidate early, he has fallen off as of late. Veteran transfer Joseph Girard III can fill in as the main scoring option on Hall’s off night. But if Clemson struggles to subside, Hall has to be who he was during the start of the season, clearly Clemson’s best player.
Late Game Execution
The biggest reason for Clemson’s struggles is being unable to close the gap late in games. On their current losing streak, they have been within striking distance around the six-minute mark of each game. They were down just four late in each game, then went on to lose all three by double digits. And it hasn’t just been one side of the ball; the Tigers allow their offensive woes to affect their defense and rebounding.
They failed to score in the last five minutes against North Carolina after giving up 25 to Miami (FL) in the last six minutes. Then they scored just six and gave up 17 after getting within four in Blacksburg. They have also been out-rebounded in all three games, which there is no excuse for when comparing their size to Miami (FL) and the Hokies.
The Tigers have to pick up their defensive intensity and be more active on the boards to make up for their cold shooting. If they don’t, they will continue to be outmatched in the game’s most important moments.
Will Clemson’s Struggles End?
Clemson hosts Boston College (10-5) on Saturday at 3 p.m. EST. If Clemson hopes to get back on track with a win, they must show up for all 40 minutes. They cannot allow their offensive struggles to affect their defense and rebounding. If they can work through Hall’s cold shooting without losing more games, they should be able to turn things around and start climbing the ACC standings.
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