No. 13 Clemson is in a track after several remarkable results have made the team a challenger in the Atlantic Conference.
Notre Dame can finally be heading in the right direction.
The team will meet Wednesday evening at Clemson, SC
The tigers (22-5, 14-2) have a winning line with four games and sit only one game from first place in the conference.
“We have a trust group, an older group,” said Clemson coach Brad Brownell. “You must have pieces that have to fit.”
Tiger’s senior guard Jaeden Zackery comes from a 19-point excursion in Saturday’s victory 79-69 at SMU. He set his career high with five 3-point baskets.
“He can do it; he is more than capable of making five 3 in one game,” said Brownell. “A good older player. … our ability to shoot the ball and split the ball was absolutely amazing.”
Another sign that Tiger’s clicking crime came with the team’s 24 assists for the most in a game since November 2023.
Chase Hunter continues to score for Clemson, as he has 1,688 career points and moves to ninth on the program’s score list for the weekend. Brownell said that the attention opponents are engaged in Hunter can create other openings in Backcourt for players like Zackery.
With 14 ACC victories, the Tigers have already matched the program record for conference victory that was set two years ago.
Notre Dame (12-15, 6-10) has won two of their last four matches and is probably a victory away from managing one of the 15 places in the ACC tournament next month, although Fighting Irish can make the field without winning again.
“We have a big challenge that comes up in our next game,” said Notre Dame coach Micah Shrewsberry. “You walk on the road and play a very good team.”
Notre Dame topped to visit Pitt 76-72 on Saturday to complete a three-game home tooth. The victory came with some strange looks lineup combinations.
“Adjust on the move, I think is probably really good for us,” said Shrewsberry. “We had some arrangements that probably never played before.”
The Irish were without injured Tae Davis and Braeden Shrewsberry for the Pitt game, but they received valuable contributions from players who reinforced their normal production. Jr. Konieczny and Cole Certa provided all their points during the second half.
“You don’t have guys you expect to score,” said Micah Shrewsberry. “They stayed ready.”
Certa, a beginner, had a season high 12 points and Konieczny ended with 10.
“They would do anything to scrape, claws, get the job done,” said Micah Shrewsberry.
The coach said that Certa’s contribution was connection, especially for a player who has limited playing time for the season’s routes.
“It’s hard to make pictures for inconsistent minutes, no matter who you are,” said Shrewsberry. “… that guy has steadfast confidence. He thinks the next shot goes in.”
Certa said the goal is to try to influence every time he is in a game.
“Every time I check in, the other four guys on the court really give confidence in me,” Certa said.
Two of Notre Dame’s ACC victories this season have come in road games.
If Clemson beats Notre Dame, it will give the tigers at least 23 wins for the third season in a row. Duke is the only other ACC school that won at least 23 matches each of the last three years.
-Field level media
