Clemson Needs Big Assist to Advance Tigers’ ability to move on in NCAA Tournament will likely come down to the play of Heidbreder, Jones and Wiggins
The Clemon guard grew up dreaming about playing in the NCAA Tournament, and at 3:15 p.m. (TruTV), he and the fifth seeded Tigers will do just that when they play No. 12 McNeese State in the first round of the Midwest Regional at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
“This is a dream come true, and I am thankful for the opportunity,” the redshirt junior said.
Today’s first-round game will be more than a dream come true, but it will also be an opportunity for him, along with freshman Del Jones, to make a serious contribution, especially if they want to help Clemson advance into Saturday’s Round of 32.
Heidbreder and Jones should see more minutes than usual, as part of a three-man rotation that head coach Brad Brownell hopes fill the vacancy left with the Dillon Hunter’s season-ending hand injury.
“Obviously losing Dillon is a little bit of an issue just from the standpoint of he’s the ultimate glue guy and he does all the little things that coaches love that don’t always show up as points,” Brownell said. “But, you know, we’ve got other players that are going to get more opportunities. Jake Heidbreder, Del Jones.
“They don’t play exactly like Dillon, but they certainly fill a role and can be productive in the minutes that they do get, and I expect those guys to play well.”
The loss of Hunter was a sudden blow to the Tigers’ ACC Tournament hopes last week, as they had no time to really adjust to his absence. Now they’ve had almost a week to adjust and game plan how Chauncey Wiggins, Heidbreder and Jones will be used and how they can use the strengths of all three players.
“I am just going to try and step up and take on that role. I am going to play a little more minutes,” Heidbreder said. “So, I am going to take on that role, hit my shots and stuff like that. I am going to try and be myself and keep it going.”
Wiggins, who has started 25 games, will likely get the start. He, along with Heidbreder and Jones have all made significant contributions this season in helping the Tigers post their greatest season in program history.
When Wiggins scored in double figures this season, Clemson (27-6) was 12-1. He had a season high 17 points in the Tigers’ win over Stanford on Jan. 1.
“Coach just wants me to be aggressive and to always be confident, especially with my body language,” he said.
Heidbreder came off the bench earlier this year to score a season-high 15 points against Wake Forest.
Jones has also had some moments, has he scored a career-high 13 points in a game this year and had a couple of other games where he dropped in double digits.
“(Brownell) wants me to stay aggressive and bring the juice off the bench,” Jones said. “Creating my shot, taking care of the ball and no turnovers.”
