NC State vs. Clemson preview: One for all the bubbles

Clemson @ StatSheet
2014 Stats
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The quest for secondary scoring options--both NC State and Clemson know it well. The Tigers are getting about 17 points per game from K.J. McDaniels, who like T.J. Warren accounts for a huge chunk of his team's offense. No other Clemson player averages more than 8.8 points per game, and none has proven consistent enough to warrant an above-average workload. Not that that's stopping certain individuals. You know who you are!

In conference games, Clemson ranks 14th in offensive efficiency, 14th in eFG%, 14th in 2FG% 14th in turnover rate, and 12th in 3FG%. There is one player other than McDaniels with an eFG% north of 50, and he had to miss the Tigers' last game because of illness.

There are a couple of ways Clemson can make up for its poor shooting from the field; this is a pretty good offensive rebounding team, and the Tigers are also outstanding from the free throw line. Unfortunately, they just can't seem to generate a lot of free throw opportunities. Fouls and rebounds will be a couple key areas to watch--if State's defense can effectively close out possessions, the struggle becomes that much more significant for the Tigers.

Starters

Rod Hall (6-1, 210) -- Hall expanded his repertoire a bit this season; he is a competent 14-41 from three after attempting 14 three-pointers in the prior two seasons combined. His assist and turnover rates have never been better, and he's improved his free throw shooting considerably. It's his two-point inaccuracy that continues to hurt him.

Damarcus Harrison (6-5, 205) -- He takes 23% of the shots while he's on the court, which ranks third among players in the rotation ... and he is shooting 34.2% inside the arc. His three-point shooting (31.5%) is almost better. In 2+ years of college hoops, he's yet to post an eFG% above 40.5 in a single season.

K.J. McDaniels (6-6, 200) -- The offense is perpetually taking on water but it isn't for the lack of heroic efforts to keep it afloat by McDaniels, who is shooting 85.8% at the free throw line, 34% from three, and 51.6% inside the arc. He is an excellent offensive rebounder and shot blocker as well.

Jaron Blossomgame (6-7, 215) -- Good offensive rebounder. Will also do, you know, some other things probably.

Landry Nnoko (6-10, 250) -- Nnoko was the guy who had to sit out Clemson's last game, and I'm guessin' he'll be well enough to play Tuesday night, but if not, it's a significant loss. He is the team's best offensive rebounder, and obviously any help Clemson can get there, it needs. He is the Tigers' second-best shot blocker behind only McDaniels; those two have combined to make this one of the best shot-botherin' outfits in the nation.

Bench

Adonis Filer (6-2, 190), Jordan Roper (5-11, 165), Josh Smith (6-8, 260), Ibrahim Djambo (6-10, 215), Sidy Djitte (6-10, 240). Brad Brownell (or Brownlee, as he prefers to be called) is spreading the minutes in the finest tradition of the "well, shit, that ain't workin'; let's try this thing here" coaching method.

Roper has the second-highest workload on the team, and while his two-point accuracy has improved (would have been nearly impossible for it not to), his three-point shooting is down from 41.4% last season to 31.5% in this one. Filer is a mixed bag of who-the-heck-knows, while Smith, Djitte, and Djambo are best served focusing on the stuff that does not involve shooting.

Clemson's defensive turnover rate has declined in each year since Brownell took over, as the Tigers get further removed from Oliver Purnell's system and personnel. This is not a bad thing, because this is not a unit that needs takeaways to thrive. Interior defense and the ability to avoid fouls have carried these guys.

In conference play, the rebounding troubles have persisted, while their 2FG% defense (understandably) hasn't been quite as good. They're still blocking shots at a good clip, and they rank first in the ACC in defensive FT rate.

The Pomeroy Predictor likes Clemson by five.