The games don’t get easier from here, but congratulations to the Clemson Tigers Men’s Basketball team for making the Big Dance as the #6 Seed in the West Region. They will be facing off against the Lobos of New Mexico on Friday (truTV @ 3:10 pm) in Memphis Tennessee, at FedExForum Arena.
Senior Center PJ Hall leads the Tigers with 18.8 PPG and had 7 double-doubles this season. Clemson got a huge offensive boost from 5th-year senior Syracuse transfer G Joseph Girard III (15.7 PPG). Is this enough firepower to get passed the first round and into the round of 32? Clemson coming off a huge loss in the ACC tournament against Boston College, and it could come and bite them in the butt. On the contrary, Clemson could use the BC game as motivation to buckle down and apply pressure to the Lobos.
#11 seed, New Mexico is riding a 4-game winning streak to end the season and ultimately winning the Mountain West Championship. The Lobos have four players averaging double-digit scoring on the year, with Jaelen House (16.1ppg), Jamal Mashburn, Jr. (14.4ppg), Donovan Dent (14.3ppg) and JT Toppin (12.5ppg).
The pressure is on Clemson as New Mexico is the favorite to win this matchup. It comes down to who wants it more. The Tigers of Clemson or the Lobos of New Mexico? As we watch this match-up closely, Brownell looks to coach his team passed UNM.
Written by: Philip Carey
