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Justin VanLaere
MBB: Iowa vs. Clemson Preview / Prediction | Hawkeye Nation
By Justin VanLaere
The 2011 B1G/ACC Challenge is upon us, and the Iowa Hawkeyes hope to help give their conference some bragging rights. The Hawks are matched up with the Clemson Tigers. This year’s Challenge involves 12 games for the first time ever, therefore a tie is possible. In the event of a tie, the previous year’s winner is crowned the champ (the B1G won it in 2010). The B1G has won the series just twice in twelve years. Iowa is 2-7 all-time in the Challenge, while Clemson sits at 8-4 all-time.
Game Info
Clemson Tigers (3-2) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (4-2)
POMEROY RATINGS: Iowa – 109, Clemson – 50
RPI: Iowa – 123, Clemson – 55
Tip Off: Tuesday, November 29th 2011; 8:20 PM CST
Iowa City, IA – Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500)
TV: ESPN-U, ESPN3
Radio: AM 600, 1040, and 800.
Iowa leads the series 2-0.
LINE: This is a pick em game. Pomeroy predicts a 1 point loss for Iowa.
JOIN US FOR A LIVE CHAT DURING THE GAME RIGHT HERE!
NOTES:
It’s Bryce Cartwright Bobblehead night.
All University of Iowa students get into the game FREE.
It’s also dollar dog night. Hot dogs, not real dogs.
Probable Starters
IOWA
PG – Bryce Cartwright, 6’1â€, 188 lb, SR
G – Matt Gatens, 6’5â€, 212 lb, SR
G – Eric May, 6’5â€, 217 lb, JR
F – Melsahn Basabe, 6’7â€, 225 lb, SO
F – Zach McCabe, 6’7â€, 232 lb, SO
CLEMSON
G – Andre Young, 5’9″, 170 lb, SR
G – Rod Hall, 6’1″, 210 lb, FR
G – Tanner Smith, 6’5″, 210 lb, SR
F – Milton Jennings, 6’9″, 225 lb, JR
F – Devin Booker, 6’8″, 245 lb, JR
This game will be a true contrast of styles. Guard-oriented, up tempo Iowa vs. interior-oriented, deliberate Clemson. Whoever dictates their own style of play will likely come away with the W. Sure, this is a Clemson program that has been a staple in the NCAA Tournament the last half-decade, but this year’s team isn’t at that caliber yet. The Tigers are returning roughly half of their offensive and defensive efficiencies from last year’s squad. Clemson was picked to be a middle of the pack ACC team this season, however they haven’t lived up to that standard yet. The Tigers lost to College of Charleston and Coastal Carolina already this season. They also struggled last game against Furman, as they were tied at the half. It’s not as if Iowa has been that impressive in their last three game either, though, getting blown away by Creighton, not showing up vs. Campbell, and struggled at times with IPFW. Neither of these teams have found a real sense of identity in the early part of the season.
Clemson has some really good talent in their starting lineup. Andre Young is a shooting guard and is undoubtedly their biggest threat to score on the offensive end; he’s pretty deadly from behind the arc. He also takes really good care of the ball. Tanner Smith is a pretty decent ball-handler, but he will take some ill-advised shots and give the ball up frequently. The two players that will likely give Iowa the most fits are Milton Jennings and Devin Booker. Jennings has a ton of athleticism and will be a match-up problem for Melsahn Basabe. Booker, while not as talented as Jennings, is a force on the block for the Tigers. Rebounding will be a huge edge for Clemson in this game, Iowa will need to hit their shots and also get plenty of transition buckets.
KEYS TO GAME FOR IOWA:
- Get Melsahn Basabe Going. Mel is sick of hearing how he isn’t performing. Fran is sick of having to answer questions about Mel’s performance. Iowa fans are sick of seeing a sophomore slump from Melsahn. It’s not a secret that Basabe is a momentum-type of player. When he gets going, he can be really, really good. When he starts off slow (and/or gets in foul trouble), he rarely gets back into the game, both physically and mentally. Here’s your breakout game for Melsahn. He has a hefty challenge in regards to the Tigers’ bigs, but he’ll be ready to go, and Iowa will need him.
- Improvement in Interior Defense. If Iowa cannot guard the ball down low, they will have a tough, tough time winning this ballgame. Clemson has a couple big men who will hit the glass hard and maintain great position on the block. If Iowa is too busy playing help defense and not getting bodies on Tiger players, it could get ugly under the basket.
- Ramp up the Press. If Iowa can force Clemson’s freshman guard to make mistakes with their on-ball pressure, the extra possessions will be a big boost in their favor. The Tigers can be prone to mistakes with the ball, especially from their guards (sans Young).
- Score Points. Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Joe Buck / Jon Gruden. But let me explain. Clemson is 3-0 when they hold their opponents under 50 points so far this season. While breaking the 50 point mark won’t guarantee an Iowa victory, a higher scoring affair will certainly favor the Hawkeyes. Iowa is going to need to knock down the outside shot, as Clemson does a very good job protecting the paint.
PREDICTION: Neither of these teams are playing terrific basketball right now. If Iowa can get out and run, they should win the ball game. However, if Clemson can slow the ball down and feed its bigs, Iowa will have a tough time going possession for possession vs. the Tigers. If Andre Young gets hot, say goodnight to the Hawkeyes. Gatens is playing good ball, Bryce seems to be getting back to his old self, and I think Basabe steps up. FINAL SCORE: Iowa 71, Clemson 68.
By Justin VanLaere
The 2011 B1G/ACC Challenge is upon us, and the Iowa Hawkeyes hope to help give their conference some bragging rights. The Hawks are matched up with the Clemson Tigers. This year’s Challenge involves 12 games for the first time ever, therefore a tie is possible. In the event of a tie, the previous year’s winner is crowned the champ (the B1G won it in 2010). The B1G has won the series just twice in twelve years. Iowa is 2-7 all-time in the Challenge, while Clemson sits at 8-4 all-time.
Game Info
Clemson Tigers (3-2) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (4-2)
POMEROY RATINGS: Iowa – 109, Clemson – 50
RPI: Iowa – 123, Clemson – 55
Tip Off: Tuesday, November 29th 2011; 8:20 PM CST
Iowa City, IA – Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500)
TV: ESPN-U, ESPN3
Radio: AM 600, 1040, and 800.
Iowa leads the series 2-0.
LINE: This is a pick em game. Pomeroy predicts a 1 point loss for Iowa.
JOIN US FOR A LIVE CHAT DURING THE GAME RIGHT HERE!
NOTES:
It’s Bryce Cartwright Bobblehead night.
All University of Iowa students get into the game FREE.
It’s also dollar dog night. Hot dogs, not real dogs.
Probable Starters
IOWA
PG – Bryce Cartwright, 6’1â€, 188 lb, SR
G – Matt Gatens, 6’5â€, 212 lb, SR
G – Eric May, 6’5â€, 217 lb, JR
F – Melsahn Basabe, 6’7â€, 225 lb, SO
F – Zach McCabe, 6’7â€, 232 lb, SO
CLEMSON
G – Andre Young, 5’9″, 170 lb, SR
G – Rod Hall, 6’1″, 210 lb, FR
G – Tanner Smith, 6’5″, 210 lb, SR
F – Milton Jennings, 6’9″, 225 lb, JR
F – Devin Booker, 6’8″, 245 lb, JR
This game will be a true contrast of styles. Guard-oriented, up tempo Iowa vs. interior-oriented, deliberate Clemson. Whoever dictates their own style of play will likely come away with the W. Sure, this is a Clemson program that has been a staple in the NCAA Tournament the last half-decade, but this year’s team isn’t at that caliber yet. The Tigers are returning roughly half of their offensive and defensive efficiencies from last year’s squad. Clemson was picked to be a middle of the pack ACC team this season, however they haven’t lived up to that standard yet. The Tigers lost to College of Charleston and Coastal Carolina already this season. They also struggled last game against Furman, as they were tied at the half. It’s not as if Iowa has been that impressive in their last three game either, though, getting blown away by Creighton, not showing up vs. Campbell, and struggled at times with IPFW. Neither of these teams have found a real sense of identity in the early part of the season.
Clemson has some really good talent in their starting lineup. Andre Young is a shooting guard and is undoubtedly their biggest threat to score on the offensive end; he’s pretty deadly from behind the arc. He also takes really good care of the ball. Tanner Smith is a pretty decent ball-handler, but he will take some ill-advised shots and give the ball up frequently. The two players that will likely give Iowa the most fits are Milton Jennings and Devin Booker. Jennings has a ton of athleticism and will be a match-up problem for Melsahn Basabe. Booker, while not as talented as Jennings, is a force on the block for the Tigers. Rebounding will be a huge edge for Clemson in this game, Iowa will need to hit their shots and also get plenty of transition buckets.
KEYS TO GAME FOR IOWA:
- Get Melsahn Basabe Going. Mel is sick of hearing how he isn’t performing. Fran is sick of having to answer questions about Mel’s performance. Iowa fans are sick of seeing a sophomore slump from Melsahn. It’s not a secret that Basabe is a momentum-type of player. When he gets going, he can be really, really good. When he starts off slow (and/or gets in foul trouble), he rarely gets back into the game, both physically and mentally. Here’s your breakout game for Melsahn. He has a hefty challenge in regards to the Tigers’ bigs, but he’ll be ready to go, and Iowa will need him.
- Improvement in Interior Defense. If Iowa cannot guard the ball down low, they will have a tough, tough time winning this ballgame. Clemson has a couple big men who will hit the glass hard and maintain great position on the block. If Iowa is too busy playing help defense and not getting bodies on Tiger players, it could get ugly under the basket.
- Ramp up the Press. If Iowa can force Clemson’s freshman guard to make mistakes with their on-ball pressure, the extra possessions will be a big boost in their favor. The Tigers can be prone to mistakes with the ball, especially from their guards (sans Young).
- Score Points. Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Joe Buck / Jon Gruden. But let me explain. Clemson is 3-0 when they hold their opponents under 50 points so far this season. While breaking the 50 point mark won’t guarantee an Iowa victory, a higher scoring affair will certainly favor the Hawkeyes. Iowa is going to need to knock down the outside shot, as Clemson does a very good job protecting the paint.
PREDICTION: Neither of these teams are playing terrific basketball right now. If Iowa can get out and run, they should win the ball game. However, if Clemson can slow the ball down and feed its bigs, Iowa will have a tough time going possession for possession vs. the Tigers. If Andre Young gets hot, say goodnight to the Hawkeyes. Gatens is playing good ball, Bryce seems to be getting back to his old self, and I think Basabe steps up. FINAL SCORE: Iowa 71, Clemson 68.
