Clemson headed north of the border to face TCU.
Led by Joseph Girard III’s 21 points, the Tigers (9-0) would defeat the previously undefeated Horned Frogs, 74-66.
TCU (7-1) had only played one team from a power conference (Georgetown). The Horned Frogs won a one-point contest after the referees failed to see Emanuel Miller’s foot out of bounds on the game winning shot.
Leaders:
Points
Girard III (Clem) – 21
Miller (TCU) – 16
Rebounds
Godfrey (Clem) – 10
Udeh Jr. (TCU) – 10
Assists
Schieffelin – 5
Four Players – 2
Takeaways:
Paint Battle: Coming into the game, the conventional thought was TCU would win the battle in the paint but that wasn’t the case. Clemson outscored the Horned Frogs 30-24. Of course, PJ Hall had a big part in it but there is also plenty of credit that needs to go to Ian Schieffelin. The junior forward would end with 14 points and nine rebounds. Seven of the nine rebounds were on the offensive glass.
Defense: TCU shot 32% from the floor and that was with scoring 19 points via the fast break. Clemson might not be as physical as TCU but they were physical enough to not wear down and give up easy baskets in the half court. TCU starters Micah Peavy, Emanuel Miller, and Jameer Nelson Jr. shot a combined 11-38 from the floor. TCU was 3-16 from the three-point line. Even 33 free throw attempts couldn’t overcome TCU’s inefficiency from the floor.
True Conference Contenders?: Clemson has won the first nine games of the season. TCU becomes the latest power conference victims. The others were Alabama, Pitt, and South Carolina. The Tigers last non-conference challenge comes against Memphis (Dec 16). The ACC isn’t going to be the Duke invitational like some thought before the season. Clemson starts the ACC conference Miami (Fl) and home against North Carolina.
