Brad Brownell has already gotten a useful early read on this Clemson team, and the clearest takeaway is that Dylan Faulkner looks ready for the spotlight.
Against Georgia and Presbyterian in the Tigers’ first two preseason exhibitions, the big man delivered in both outings, scoring 21 and 20 points. The level of competition didn’t seem to matter much. Faulkner produced, and that should make him a dependable piece in Clemson’s frontcourt moving forward.
Ace Buckner, meanwhile, showed both sides of what Brownell is trying to sort out at point guard. He got into foul trouble against Georgia and was limited to 15 minutes. Then, against Presbyterian on Wednesday night, he was on the floor for more than 34 minutes and led Clemson with 21 points on 9-of-17 shooting, while also handing out five assists.
Cole Certa is still searching for his touch. The Notre Dame transfer went 3-of-10 from the field against Georgia and followed that with an 0-of-5 night against Presbyterian. Clemson needs him to bring some scoring punch to the backcourt, but through these first two preseason games, he looks like the weakest starter on the roster right now.
That leaves Brownell with a pretty clear balancing act as the non-conference schedule opens up. Faulkner’s presence gives Clemson something solid in the frontcourt, while the backcourt remains unsettled. Dillon Hunter could eventually return, but for now that part of the rotation is still very much in flux.
The good news for Clemson is that Faulkner has shown he can handle both comparable and lesser competition. Georgia is expected to be a tournament team, and Clemson is expected to be one too, so those first two tests at least offered a meaningful snapshot. Buckner’s role as the primary ball-handler is still too early to fully judge, and Certa simply has to start making shots.
Faulkner’s strong start also helps ease some pressure on Carter Welling, who is working his way back from a torn ACL. All signs point to Welling being back in time for conference play, with anything before January considered a bonus. Clemson can’t afford to fall too far behind while waiting for pieces to come together.
Brownell’s job now is to keep a close eye on everything, both on the floor and around the program, and be ready to adjust as needed. He has enough talent to put Clemson back in the NCAA Tournament, even with the expanded field.
The ACC, though, may not offer much margin for error. Clemson and Virginia Tech look like the two teams fighting for sixth in a league that might be no deeper than seven teams.
For now, the preseason signs were encouraging. But the real test starts Monday against Stetson.
In Other News...
Clemsons Offensive Mess May Not Be On Chad Morris After All
Clemsons offensive frustrations have become hard to ignore, but Eric Mac Lain thinks the problem is bigger than the name on the play sheet. The former Tigers standout and current ACC Network analyst said the issues have less to do with offensive coordinator Chad Morris and more to do with execution across the board, from a line that has slipped badly to a passing game that has left the receivers operating with too little help.
Mac Lain also pointed to the situation at quarterback, where freshman Tait Reynolds is being asked to play before he looks fully ready. In his view, injuries and a lack of transfer options have forced Clemson into a corner, and the result has been an offense trying to function with communication breakdowns up front and too many limitations everywhere else. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Faces A Huge Florida State Availability Question This Week
Florida State is already working through some notable availability issues heading into its matchup with Clemson, with starting cornerback Quindarrius Jones ruled out and leading rusher Ousmane Kromah also sidelined after a season-ending ankle injury. Those absences matter for a Seminoles team trying to hold up on both sides of the ball, and they only add another layer to a game that was going to hinge on matchups and depth anyway.
Clemson, meanwhile, has its own concern to monitor in the passing game, where backup wide receiver Gordon Sellars III is listed as questionable because of a concussion. Even if he is not one of the Tigers' top names, the injury report keeps the margin for error thin for a Clemson offense that may need every available piece as the week unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Still Needs One Piece For Tait Reynolds To Find Rhythm
Freshman wide receiver Gordon Sellars III sat out last week with a concussion, and his status for Clemsons matchup with Florida State remains up in the air. The Tigers have seven other players listed out, which was expected, but Sellars is the name that matters most when it comes to helping quarterback Tait Reynolds settle in and find a better rhythm in the passing game.
Clemson has spent much of the early stretch trying to get Reynolds comfortable in the offense, and having another young target available would only help. If Sellars can return, it would give the Tigers another option to lean on in a game that could matter for both the immediate offense and Reynolds development moving forward. [Read more 🡒]