Posters on The Bench are reporting this particular game is on RSN, so check your local listings. In northern Jersey on Xfinity, that's the YES network.
Tigers to keep track of:
#00 Delicia Washington, 5'10", averages 13 ppg in scoring & 5.33 rebounds per game
- #3 Kendrall Spray, 5'5" guard, averages 12.7 ppg and 3.86 rpg. She's taken 55 three-pointers, 37 more than the next Tiger. She hits at a 45% rate.
- #10 Gabby Elliott, 5'10" averages 11.9 ppg. and 6.37 rpg. Shes' the Tiger's leading rebounder at 5'10". She's joined by...
- #55 Tylar Bennett, the 6'4" center who is just behind at 6.29 rpg and only scores at a 5.0 ppg clip.
Clemson is 2-1 in the ACC so far, beating Viginia 71-55 at Charlottesville and Florida State at home, 72-69. They lost to Pitt 80-71 in an away game.
A Few Irish Notes:
- #34 Maddy Westbeld, 6'3" forward, continues to lead the Irish in scoring (19.0 ppg) and rebounding (7.0 rpg). After getting into foul trouble her first few games, she played vritually the entire game against Va. Tech, leading the Irish with 23 points. She's shooting 51% from the floor (.45% from Three) and 81% FT's.
- #21 Anaya Peoples, 5'10" guard, averages 13.00 ppg and 6.2 rpg on 50% field goal percentage. Needs to improve on her 52% free throw percentage, since she does get to the line on drives to the hoop.
#33 Sam Brunelle, 6'2" forward, is rounding into form and had her best game against Va. Tech, hitting 5 of 9 from three-point land. She shows some good chemistry with Westbeld, Peoples and Dara Mabrey.
#1 Dara Mabrey, 5'7" guard leads the irish with 19 assists and three-point field goals (12-29/41%). She's leading the ND half-court offense with Katlyn Gilbert and working off ball when Alasia Hayes enters the lineup.
- Whom You Night Not See: Destinee Walker who has a DNP-Coaches Decision for the last 6 quarters. Ditto for frosh Alli Campbell. As much as anything, this looks to be a result of Niele trying to trim her rotation, with Brunelle, Gilbert and Center Mik Vaughn all back. However, she was the Irish leading scorer a year ago and was averaging 11.4 ppg until the benching.
- Matchup To Watch? Clemson's Kendall Spray vs. Dara Mabrey or Alasia Hayes. Spray torched ND for 24 points last year in South Bend. ND has had issues with teams that have adept posts and multiple three point shooters. Clemson does not have a scoring post and Spray is their main three-point threat, so expect Mabrey and Hayes to stay close.
- Westbeld and the Clemson front court. Will/can Bennett stay with Westbeld? Or will Mik Vaughn post down low, leaving Westbeld to go against numerous 5'10" guard/forwards? Westbeld is a sturdy forward who will use her body to draw fouls. Stay tuned.
