Radford Highlanders vs. Clemson Tigers Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 21st 2024
Preview and Prediction
Clemson will strive to regain their footing on Thursday evening as they welcome a Radford squad that has secured four consecutive victories.
Despite a career-high 30 points from Chase Hunter, the Tigers (3-1) fell 84-71 to Boise State on Sunday.
The game saw seven lead changes and Clemson trailed by just one point at halftime before the Broncos pulled away in the second half. The Tigers were outrebounded by eight and struggled from beyond the arc, shooting only 24 percent (6 of 25) from 3-point distance.
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Meanwhile, Boise State's bench contributed 21 points while Clemson's reserves only managed eight.
However, for coach Brad Brownell, the standout performer was undoubtedly Hunter, who shot 12 of 21 from the field (including 4 of 8 from 3-point range) and dished out six assists in 37 minutes.
"Chase was exceptional," Brownell praised. "I thought he played at an elite level."
However, against top-tier teams, the Tigers will need more than just Hunter's heroics. He currently leads the team with 19.8 points and 3.5 assists per game.
Clemson's supporting cast will have the opportunity to step up against Radford (4-1), who have already defeated Evansville, Old Dominion, and William & Mary this season. The Highlanders' most recent victory was a dominant 96-50 win over Division III Southern Virginia on Monday, led by 15 points from Jarvis Moss.
Radford's current record marks their best start to a season in seven years, and they have scored at least 87 points in four consecutive games for the first time since the 1992-93 season.
"It's just another chance for us," said Radford coach Darris Nichols of the upcoming clash with Clemson. "I like the month of November because we're on the road a lot. I think that gives us the opportunity for our guys to get to know each other and bond a little bit. ... But I know Clemson is really good and they have some key pieces returning."
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In their previous meeting last season, Clemson defeated Radford 93-58, with Hunter contributing 16 points and five assists.