Clemson Basketball’s Projected Rotation For 2015-16 Season
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Clemson returns a majority of their key contributors from last year, highlighted by a potential All-ACC player in Jaron Blossomgame. They should have a solid combination of experience and youth going into the season. The Tigers have a talented frontcourt, but their backcourt play will determine how far they go. Here's their projected rotation for the 2015-16 season.
Point Guard: Ty Hudson, Freshman
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Point Guard: Ty Hudson, Freshman
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The true freshman will have to fight to earn this spot, but he is more than capable of earning a starting job at point guard. Although he lacks one superior skill, Hudson knows how to deliver the ball on time. Whether or not he is ready to run Clemson’s offense is yet to be determined, but he is the future floor general for the Tigers.
Shooting Guard: Jordan Roper, Senior
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Shooting Guard: Jordan Roper, Senior
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Roper is a decent combo guard who brings some experience to the team. He’s going to have to shoot better from outside if he wants to be productive as a shoot-first guard. Even though he possesses the speed to keep up with off-guards, Roper may struggle if he has to defend bigger guards for a good portion of games.
Small Forward: Donte Grantham, Sophomore
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Small Forward: Donte Grantham, Sophomore
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Grantham is a slick forward with a lot of depth to his game. It’s hard to imagine him shooting 28 percent from three again, and the game should move slower for him after a year under his belt. Those ups and downs should allow Grantham to develop into the secondary scoring option for the Tigers.
Power Forward: Jaron Blossomgame, Junior
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Power Forward: Jaron Blossomgame, Junior
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Of course, Blossomgame returns as the best player on the roster. The redshirt junior had a terrific year using his athleticism to score 13.1 points and grab 8.2 rebounds per game. Blossomgame should be the show again for Clemson.
Center: Landry Nnoko, Senior
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Center: Landry Nnoko, Senior
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As one of the best shot-blockers in the conference (2.0 blocks per game), Nnoko is a sure bet to start in the middle of an undersized front line. Expect a lot of rejections and put backs from the Cameroon native.
Bench: Austin Ajukwa - Junior, Guard
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Bench: Austin Ajukwa - Junior, Guard
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Ajukwa is the best perimeter threat off of the bench. He’s got good length at 6-foot-6, but he still spends a lot of time outside of the arc. The Tigers need a bench scorer, so Ajukwa has to shoot better than 28 percent from three.
Bench: Sidy Djitte - Junior, Center
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Bench: Sidy Djitte - Junior, Center
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The junior is one of the best rebounders on the team and makes Nnoko better in practice with his effort. He doesn’t need to do much more than wall up and continue to attack the glass.
Bench: Josh Smith - Senior, Forward
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Bench: Josh Smith - Senior, Forward
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Smith is another big body down low who is in the game primarily for rebounding and setting screens. He could see some time at power forward in a big lineup with Grantham at the two.
Reed Hunnicutt is an ACC Basketball Beat Writer for www.RantSports.com . Follow him on twitter @rd_hunnicutt04 , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google .
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