There’s not much time for Clemson to gloat about an important in-state victory.
The Tigers meet Cincinnati on Sunday afternoon in what counts as a neutral-site game at Greenville, S.C.
Clemson (9-3) rode redshirt freshman Ace Buckner’s career-high 19 points in Tuesday night’s 68-61 home victory against South Carolina.
The victory was tempered by the loss of freshman guard Zac Foster, who sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the game.
“It’s an extremely unfortunate injury for Zac and our team,” coach Brad Brownell said. “Zac is a hard worker and valuable member of our backcourt.”
Brownell said Buckner gained more playing time because Foster was sidelined.
“He’s a good player,” Brownell said of Buckner. “We have a lot of confidence in him. … I like what we have. I think we have some versatility.”
Cincinnati (7-4) is coming off its most lopsided victory of the season by defeating Alabama State 88-51 on Wednesday. Senior Baba Miller scored a career-best 26 points.
“We have to keep taking the right steps,” Miller said.
The Bearcats haven’t won consecutive games since claiming victories in their first four games.
“I think we’ve tried to figure everything out,” Cincinnati coach Wes Miller said. “We have some offensive talent and some offensive ability. We’re trying to get it to a place where it’s consistent. That’s what we’re working through.”
The offense needs to avoid glitches.
“Trying to clean up the turnovers,” Wes Miller said. “If we don’t even get a chance to shoot it, that’s pretty frustrating.”
Cincinnati guard Day Day Thomas is hitting 45.9% of his 3-point shots and is one of four Bearcats averaging double figures in scoring at 12.9 per outing.
One of the keys for the Bearcats might be Shon Abaev as the freshman guard matures into a more valuable player.
“As a decision maker, a playmaker is probably the most untapped part of his game,” Wes Miller said. “I think he has got to be a decision maker, a shot creator for us in all different kinds of scenarios.”
Abaev, who averages 11.6 points per contest, said he wants to showcase a well-rounded skillset.
“I’m not a one-level player,” Abaev said. “I try to get to the basket and get to the free-throw line.”
After being reinstated to the roster, Jizzle James played in his first game of the season against Alabama State. That gives the Bearcats another wrinkle, as the third-year player contributed 16 points in 20 minutes.
“He tries to make the right read every time,” Baba Miller said of James.
