PREVIEW | MBB: BOISE STATE (2-0) AT CLEMSON UNIVERSITY (3-0)
Boise State University at Clemson University
Date: Sunday, November 19, 2023
Time: 11:00 am MT
Stadium: Littlejohn Coliseum (9,000)
TV: KTVB
Stream: Mountain West Network
Radio: KBOI 670 AM
Commentators: Adam Frenier and Abe Jackson
Know Thy Enemy
The Broncos hit the road for the first road trip of the season as they travel over 2,200 miles to Littlejohn Coliseum to battle it out with the Tigers of Clemson University! Clemson is looking to build off a successful 2022-2023 season where they started off white hot going 15-3 (7-0) then ultimately ended the season 23-10 and were part of the first four out of the NCAA tournament. This year the Tigers were picked to finish fifth in the preseason poll behind the likes of Duke, North Carolina, Miami, and Virginia. Clemson is a perfect 3-0 on the season with wins over Winthrop, UAB, and Davidson.
So far this season the tale of the tape isn’t very long, but let’s look at the numbers through three games. Clemson is averaging 74.3 points per game while shooting 46% from the field. They average over 10 made three pointers per game. Offensively their “go-to” guy would have to be their big man, PJ Hall. Hall leads the team in just about every offensive category and is not your typical Center who lives in the paint. He will stretch the defense by playing beyond the arc and will pull the trigger out there, shooting 40% from downtown.
Defensively the Tigers aren’t as tight of a ship. Even with their 22-point win against Winthrop in the season opener factored in, the Tigers margin of victory is only 8.7. Opponents are shooting over 40% from the field and 35% from three. Opponents are also out-rebounding the Tigers 104-96 so far this season. The one thing that Clemson has going for them on defense is their ability to alter and block shots. Right now Clemson is averaging 6.3 blocks per game which is top-30 in all of college basketball right now.
Brad Brownell enters his 14th season in charge of the Clemson men’s basketball program. In 13 seasons in Clemson, he has compiled a 241-177 record, which places him first all-time in Clemson coaching history with 241 victories. He has taken the Tigers to the 2021 NCAA Tournament, 2018 Sweet 16, 2011 NCAA Tournament and three NIT appearances. He is No. 1 in Clemson coaching history in terms of winning percentage against ACC competition and his 103 regular season wins over ACC teams are the most-ever in program history.
Sunday will be the first meeting between these two schools, but Boise State is 0-2 in meetings against teams that are currently in the ACC.
What Happened Last Time
Sunday is the first time the Tigers and Broncos have met on the hardwood.
Player to Watch
CLEMSON
SR., PJ HALL, C#24
PJ Hall has made another leap in his development and is poised to have a huge year for the Tigers. Hall is leading the team with his 21.3 points per game and has almost double the amount of total points as the next leading scorer. Hall isn’t the type of Center that will always play with this back to the basket, Hall also is shooting 40% from downtown and will average about five three point attempts per game. Even at 6’10” Hall isn’t a great rebounder. He only averages about 7 boards per game and has yet to have a double-double this year.
BOISE STATE
SR., CHIBUZO AGBO, F #11
There has been a marked physical difference between the Buzo of last year to the Buzo of this year. People have noticed that he’s put on a bit of muscle and looks more physically dominating and so far through two games he has been a dominant player. In the season opener Agbo led the team with 19 points on 7-11 shooting in the absence of Tyson Degenhart and then he followed up that performance with another 15 points on 6-13 shooting. Agbo has the ability to pull up and shoot from anywhere especially with a man in his face which will be a huge weapon on Sunday against the Tigers.
PROBABLE STARTERS
BOISE STATE
CLEMSON
Rev's Route to a Bronco Win
I Am Batman
Tyson Degenhart made his season debut last Sunday and his stat line was not the talk of the afternoon. No, it was his Batman-esque facemask he donned after breaking his nose in practice the week before. Earlier this week people had joked that Batman should be Tyson’s new nickname and I think that is a great idea. Batman needs to shine in a big-time early season matchup.
Don’t Forget Robin
If Tyson Degenhart is Batman then Chibuzo Agbo and Max Rice are Robin and that’s not too shabby. These three are arguably the best “big three” in the Mountain West and through two games they are certainly making a case for more than just that. Last game against USF all three were over the 15 point mark and carried the load. As Boise State starts this next stretch of games away from ExtraMile they will need their big three to step up in big ways.
Revs Rant and Prediction
Road Trip!
Sunday starts a stretch of four games that will be on the road and five games away from ExtraMile Arena. Last year Boise State was 10-9 in games away from home. This year the Broncos will play a minimum of 15 games away from home and presumably more if all things go according to plan. This team, with how they rebound and play defense will be able to take their game on the road and have a lot of success. Sunday will be a big test, but I think they have what it takes to come out on the correct side of things.
Boise State 64, Clemson 60
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