Clemson's basketball season, which started with promise, has hit a rough patch. After a strong 20-7 start and a solid 10-4 record in the ACC, the Tigers have stumbled with three consecutive losses. As they prepare to face a rejuvenated Florida State team at home, the pressure is on to regain their momentum.
Despite the recent skid, Clemson is still projected as a No. 8 seed in the latest NCAA bracket predictions. However, if they want to make a significant impact in March Madness, they need to rediscover their winning form.
Coach Brad Brownell acknowledged the challenge, saying, "My players are getting a taste of reality. It's hard. When you're winning, you might not realize how tough it is to maintain that success."
The Tigers have been strong defensively, ranking second in the ACC by allowing just 65.4 points per game. Yet, their defense faltered against Wake Forest, where they gave up a season-high 54.9% shooting and 85 points-the most since early December.
Adding to their woes, leading scorer RJ Godfrey has struggled, tallying only 24 points over the past three games and hitting single digits in four of his last seven outings.
Meanwhile, Florida State is on an upswing. After a rocky 0-5 start in the ACC, the Seminoles have won five of their last six games, including two consecutive road victories. Their latest triumph was an impressive comeback against Boston College, overcoming a 14-point deficit to win 80-72.
This upcoming game holds special significance for Florida State's Chauncey Wiggins, who transferred from Clemson after playing 97 games there. Wiggins has been inconsistent this season, with 12 games scoring 15 or more points but five games with five or fewer.
He admits the matchup carries extra weight for him, saying, "It means everything. I was there for three years, won a lot of games, created a lot of great relationships.
It's going to be an emotional roller coaster."
As Clemson looks to halt their slide, and Florida State aims to continue their resurgence, this clash promises to be a pivotal moment for both teams.