Tigers Roll While Pack Falters

Clemson is now 17-0 and remains the only unbeaten major college team in the country after Tuesday’s 87-76 win over N.C. State. Clemson is undefeated. Sounds strange to hear that in early January, doesn’t it.

The Tigers are good, but I’m really not sure how good yet. Here’s one thing though -- when James Mays of Garner plays, they don’t lose. In the last 28 games that Mays has played (he only played 11 games last season because of academic problems) Clemson has won them all.

N.C. State again had to play without Engin Atsur. He hurt his hamstring again and was dressed in street clothes, and the Pack just couldn’t hang with the Tigers. It appears that Atsur won’t be healthy this entire season, and that is bad news for State.

Without Atsur, the Wolfpack has no legitimate point guard, and they suffer because of it. A key moment in the game was at the start of the second half. With N.C. State down just 40-36 at halftime, Cliff Hammonds started the second half with a three-pointer. After that, N.C. State turned it over and Vernon Hamilton buried another three. Just like that, Clemson has a 10-point lead.

Gavin Grant is good, but without Atsur, he has to play out of position and really has to do too much. He scored 22 points, but had six of State’s 17 turnovers.

The big guy Ben McCauley led N.C. State in assists with eight. Basically, Clemson knew N.C. State didn’t have a lot of players and wore them out.

So, Clemson is having fun. Coach Oliver Purnell says the team has embraced the unbeaten record, and they have. Enjoy it while you can. I will say that Clemson is fun to watch. They do have some athletes and they play with energy.

For a N.C. State team that can score but is short on players and has trouble defending, it’s turning into a long season.