Throw the seed lines out the window for this one. In actuality, must you conform to KenPom.com’s efficiency ranks, the upper personnel is the decrease seed, as Original Mexico holds the 23rd space there while Clemson checks in at 34th.
Both ends of the bottom prefer the Lobos, too. Their 23rd-ranked defense is more than geared up to receive on the Tigers’ 27th-ranked offense, while Original Mexico’s maintain 41st-ranked assault may well hang life miserable for Clemson’s 65th-ranked defense.
Four diversified Lobos common between 12.5 and 16.1 aspects, led by senior guards Jaelen Home and Jamal Mashburn Jr. Home, the excessive man in aspects, does a minute of every thing (3.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and a pair of.3 steals), while Mashburn, son of the inclined NBA All-Significant particular person, fittingly performs a throwback recreation constructed around mid-fluctuate scoring. Freshman forward J.T. Toppin, the personnel’s high NBA prospect, averages 9.0 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 26.4 minutes while taking pictures 63 p.c from the realm.
Clemson, within the intervening time, seems ripe for an upset after losing three of its closing four video games—all towards non-tournament teams, the final of which became as soon as determined by 21 aspects.
