WHAT: Clemson vs. Wake Forest
WHERE: Littlejohn Coliseum (10,000) - Clemson, S.C.
WHEN: Saturday, January 28 (12:06 p.m.)
SPREAD: Clemson -11.5
TV: ACC Network, ESPN3 (Tom Werme, Debbie Antonelli)
The break, according to the Tigers’ second-year head coach, was much
needed.
“I hope it was good. I know our guys needed some time. We were tired,
really tired after Georgia Tech,” Brownell said. “We took Sunday and
Monday off. Gave them two days to just kind of relax and try to get a
little bit healthy and get our minds right. I thought that was good for
us.”
Brownell brought players in for individual workouts on Tuesday. They were
back to a regular practice schedule for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
“We’re certainly prepared and prepped,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll be in a
good place, mentally, when we play.”
Wake Forest is led by C.J. Harris and Travis McKie, both whom are scoring
over 15 points per game.
“McKie is a very good player, both in and out. He posts a lot and can step
out and make the 3,” Brownell said. “Harris a third-year guy that’s been
playing a while. Been playing well for a couple of years now, scores it,
really knows how to get to the free-throw line.”
Up front, Brownell thinks Nikita Mescheriakov could be a factor for Wake
Forest on Saturday.
“There guys up front are playing well. I think the wildcard guy is
Mescheriakov,” Brownell said. “I think he’s talented, long, athletic. He
makes a 3. But he really is a great driver of the ball. I think he’s
starting to play well. I think he’s a guy we’ll have to be careful with.”
Who starts for Clemson in the low-post has not been determined. Catalin
Baciu got the nod against Georgia Tech last Saturday, but Brownell said
Devin Booker played well.
“Both guys have gotten a lot of reps. I haven’t decided yet which way I’m
going to go, 100 percent,” Brownell said.
PROBABLE STARTERS
Wake Forest (11-9, 2-4)
G #1 Tony Chennault (6-2, 195) - 10.7 PPG, 2.9 RPG
G #11 C.J. Harris (6-3, 190) - 17.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG
F #25 Nikita Mescheriakov (6-8, 220) - 7.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG
F #30 Travis McKie (6-7, 210) - 16.5 PPG, 6.9 RPG
C #40 Ty Walker (7-0, 230) - 4.7 PPG, 5.6 RPG
PROBABLE STARTERS
Clemson (10-9, 2-3)
G #1 T.J. Sapp (6-2, 180) - 5.2 PPG, 2 RPG
G #11 Andre Young (5-9, 170) - 13.6 PPG, 2.9 RPG
G #5 Tanner Smith (6-5, 210) - 10.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG
F #24 Milton Jennings (6-9, 225) - 9.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG
F #31 Devin Booker (6-8, 245) - 10.4 PPG, 6.8 RPG
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