The Winthrop Eagles and the Clemson Tigers meet Monday in college basketball action from Littlejohn Coliseum. Winthrop took a step back last season, going just 15-17 overall and finishing toward the middle of the Big South standings. As for Clemson, they’re coming off a 23-11 run last season that led to a disappointing First-Round exit from the NIT. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Winthrop Eagles
The Eagles weren’t able to improve on their 23-9 run in the 2021-22 season last year, ultimately finishing 15-17 overall with a 10-8 record in the Big South Conference. Winthrop landed in sixth place with that effort. The Eagles’ season ended abruptly in the conference tournament with a first-round loss to Radford 78-69.
Back for his third season at the helm, head coach Mark Prosser gets four starters back from last year’s team—as well as grad student Micheal Anumba, who is coming off an Achilles injury. Hopes are high for a return to the top of the conference standings with guys like Kasen Harrison (11.5 PPG) and senior Sin’Cere McMahon (13.4 PPG) back with the team.
Clemson Tigers
Over on the Tigers’ side, they had a pretty nice result in a tough ACC last year but it all ended badly. Clemson went 23-11 overall with a 14-6 record in the conference, which put the team behind only Miami and Virginia in the standings. Unfortunately the Tigers lost to the Cavaliers in the ACC Tournament, then fell to Morehead State 68-64 in the first round of the NIT.
Clemson looks to be pretty well set up heading into the 2023-24 season under coach Brad Brownell. The team returns three starters from last year’s squad, but does lose star Hunter Tyson to the NBA. The good news is that fellow pro prospect PJ Hall is back for his senior season, as well as fifth-year man Chase Hunter (13.8 PPG) and Syracuse grad transfer Joseph Girard (16.4 PPG).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to take a stab on Winthrop here. The Eagles’ hopes are high heading into this season, and by all metrics they should at least be flirting with a conference championship in a few months. The team needs to stay healthy and tighten the proverbial screws on defense but the outlook is rosy overall.
As for Clemson, they’ve retooled and are ready to go after a national tournament snub and a disappointing finish to last year’s campaign. The Tigers have plenty of experience on the roster and are built for late-season success. Clemson should look pretty good in this opener, but I think Winthrop is talented enough to get in there for a cover.