DBP Newsletter #13
Clemson Clips & Notes
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Cooper Flagg
Cooper Flagg made just 2 of his first 11 shots at Clemson, and Duke trailed 59-54 with 6:26 remaining in the game. At this point, especially against a physical defense (I mean that as a compliment), it would have been easy for Cooper to just assume it wasn’t Duke’s night. Instead, he did this:
Cooper comes frees on the right wing out of a horns alignment - Khaman slips coming to set a ball screen, so Coop drives right and gets fouled on the attempt before sinking both free throws. Now trailing 59-56, Flagg sets a cross-screen for Tyrese in the post before receiving a down-screen from Maluach - he is wide open and drills the three to tie the game. With 3:30 to go, Sion sets a ball screen for Cooper in the middle of the floor. Flagg spins and splits the coverage, and lofts in a tough floater over Schieffelin to put Duke ahead 64-63. Down 67-64, Coop uses a ball screen late in the shot clock from Khaman - the Tigers switch, leaving Flagg to isolate on Lakhin. Cooper’s subtle shot fake is enough to get his defender in the air before knocking in a contested three. With Clemson leading 70-67, Khaman grabs the miss from Flagg and finds Proctor for an open triple. I’ll take that look for Tyrese any time, this one just didn’t go down. However, Cooper comes flying in from the beyond the arc and snatches the offensive rebound before being fouled. Finally, down by one, Duke puts the Clemson bigs in ball screen coverage as Maliq sets it for Cooper. Both defenders go with Maliq on the roll, leaving Coop to rise for a cold-blooded three to give Duke a 71-70 lead with 0:58 remaining.
Of course, trailing 73-71, Flagg would get one final chance - slipping on the floor in that situation is simply an unfortunate break at the worst time. I was proud of the whole team for their continued effort on the road against a tough opponent.
Chase Hunter
While everyone on Clemson made winning plays throughout the game, I wanted to show two quick pictures of Chase Hunter making nice reads down the stretch.
Chase Hunter navigates the Spain ball screen action and reads the defense well. Tyrese and Khaman corral the ball, while Sion tags Lakhin as Zackery pops to the three-point line. Hunter immediately whips a one-hand pass to his brother spacing the floor. It is the correct read and an excellent pass (on time/on target), and credit Dillon Hunter for knocking it down.
Chase Hunter receives a down-screen from Lakhin and then sets a ball screen for his brother, with Duke switching the action. Hunter reads Lakhin sealing his defender in the post which opens up the drive - if you watch Clemson, you’ll see that Ian Schieffelin also does a nice job utilizing this type of seal. With Tyrese screened and Sion reluctant to help off of Zackery as the ball side shooter, the rim is open. It’s another good read by Hunter to take it all the way in, and good execution from Clemson overall.
Chase Hunter is having an All-ACC season, and the Tigers are a difficult match-up on both ends of the floor. Congrats to Coach Brownell and his team on the win.
Notes
Clemson generated 1.22 points-per-possession, made 26 of 41 two-pointers en route to a 62.7% effective field goal percentage, and outscored the Blue Devils 15-5 (+10) in second chance points.1
After shooting 57.7% (15 of 26) in the first half, the Blue Devils shot 30.1% (9 of 29) from the field after halftime, including just 3 of 15 on two-pointers.
Duke outscored the Tigers 18-8 in points off turnovers, with all 18 coming in the first half. Clemson only turned it over twice after halftime.
Duke led 45-40 at the 17:29 mark of the second half before managing just one made field goal over the next 8:42. During that stretch, the Blue Devils went 1 for 8 from the field with two turnovers, while being outscored 16-4.
Thanks for reading, Go Duke!
The 1.22 points-per-possession for Clemson was the second highest by a Duke opponent so far this season (Auburn 1.24 ppp). The Tigers’ eFG% and margin in second chance points were both season highs for a Duke opponent to this point.
Sources