Where Clemson lands in Spring ACC Football strength of schedule rankings
Clemson is deep into spring football as it gears up for the 2025 season, with several key storylines emerging.
One of the biggest focuses has been the return of wide receiver Tyler Brown, who has impressed after recovering from an ankle injury that limited him last season. Meanwhile, true freshman defensive tackle Amare Adams has taken advantage of extra reps with several veterans sidelined, showing he can contribute early. Another freshman, Gideon Davidson, looks to be the difference maker at running back.
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Head coach Dabo Swinney has also opted for a more controlled approach to the annual Orange & White Game, turning it into a scrimmage rather than a full game due to roster availability. While Clemson isn't showcasing its spring game on TV, the Tigers are fully locked in on preparing for the challenges ahead.
As Clemson and other programs prepare for the season, College Football News ranked each ACC team's strength of schedule, with the lower the 'spring strength of schedule score,' the more difficult the schedule. Clemson ended up with a score of 507.5, leaving them with the No. 6 most difficult schedule in the conference.
The season opens with a bang against Garrett Nussmeier and the LSU Tigers, who travel to Death Valley for a battle of what could be top-10 teams. Clemson starting quarterback Cade Klubnik and Nussmeier are two of the top Heisman favorites for the upcoming season.
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CFN ranked the Tigers' road matchup against South Carolina as their second most difficult game, with Clemson looking for revenge. This matchup is followed by a road game against Georgia Tech, the Tigers' home matchup against Florida State, and another revenge opportunity against Louisville on the road.
This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Where Clemson's schedule ranks compared to the rest of the ACC
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USA Today
11 minutes ago
- USA Today
LSU vs. Arkansas College World Series Preview: Can Tigers pull the upset?
LSU vs. Arkansas College World Series Preview: Can Tigers pull the upset? LSU baseball is scheduled to face Arkansas on Saturday night in the Tigers' 2025 College World Series opener. It's Game 4 of the tournament and one of two games on the Saturday slate. The winner moves on to face the UCLA or Murray State. Arkansas and LSU rank No. 1 and No. 2 on the national championship odds board, making this a tough draw for both squads. The Razorbacks and Tigers are the caliber of teams you expect to see in the CWS final, not an opener. The winner will be the sole favorite to claim the trophy, while the loser is forced to fight its way out of the losers' bracket. LSU and Arkansas already met once this year when the Tigers took two of three from the Razorbacks in Tiger Stadium. Saturday's game will feature two of the best starting pitchers in the country. LSU's Kade Anderson is slated to face Arkansas' Zach Root — both are projected first-round picks in next month's MLB Draft. Here's a preview and prediction for Saturday's LSU vs. Arkansas game. Battle of Aces: Kade Anderson vs. Zach Root Kade Anderson and Zach Root are two of the best pitchers in the country. Anderson is in the discussion to be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Root ranks No. 43 on prospect board, but will rise with a good CWS performance. When Anderson faced Arkansas in May, he pitched 5.2 innings and allowed three earned runs. Anderson struck out 10 and walked one. Two of the Razorbacks' three runs vs. Anderson came on solo home runs. Root was equally impressive that day, allowing two earned runs over six innings. LSU won the game in extra innings. When Root is on the mound Root has a deep four-pitch mix, something you don't often see at the college level. The fastball isn't overpowering, but the lefty keeps hitters off balance. He'll use it to set up the changeup; that's where Root makes his money. The curveball is good, too. Root's stuff is swing and miss. The only pitchers in the CWS with more K's this year are Anderson and LSU's Anthony Eyanson. LSU needs to be patient vs. Root. If the Tigers can force Root to use all his pitches early, the Tigers can get a good look. LSU is already familiar after seeing him last month. Root's command is good, but its not elite, and if LSU can work counts, the Tigers can draw walks. When Anderson is on the mound Anderson's stuff is the best in college baseball. He averages 14.2 strikeouts per nine innings -- an elite number. He doesn't walk guys either with just 2.4 walks per nine. Anderson's fastball/changeup mix is near impossible to hit when he's rolling. This Arkansas lineup is arguably the most talented in the country, and Anderson notched 10 strikeouts in 5.2 innings when they met in May. When Anderson runs into trouble, it's usually because of the home run. The key is limiting the damage. If Anderson's command is on, LSU can afford to allow the occasional solo home run. But if there's traffic on the base paths and the swing comes at the wrong time, LSU is in trouble. The Arkansas Lineup With 8.75 runs per game, Arkansas led the SEC in 2025. The Razorbacks also led the conference in batting average, on-base percentage, and OPS. Seven players in this lineup have double-digit home runs, six players on the roster have an OPS over 1.000, and seven players hit over .300. Shortstop Wehiwa Aloy is the headliner. Aloy is expected to be one of the top position players in the MLB Draft, ranking No. 22 on prospect list. He leads the team with 20 homers and a .668 slugging. Logan Maxwell and Charles Davalan hit .360 and .355, respectively, while combining for 27 homers. This lineup has power, takes walks, and puts the ball in play. It's deep and they do it all. The LSU Lineup The LSU lineup isn't the slam dunk Arkansas has, but the Tigers are hot after scoring 28 runs vs. West Virginia in the Super Regional. LSU was getting contributions from everyone. Josh Pearson barely saw the field in May, but stepped into a leadoff role in Game 1 of the super regional. All Pearson did was hit a double and smash a grand slam. Steven Milam was scorching after an up-and-down regular season, and Jared Jones looked to emerge from his slump. If that continues, LSU has a strong chance to win a title. But at times, LSU's lineup has gone quiet when facing quality opponents. LSU's .414 on-base percentage ranks No. 2 in the SEC, but the power isn't always there. LSU's .515 slugging ranks No. 5 in the conference. LSU can't rely on stringing walks and singles together vs. Root. The Tigers will need a few big swings to win this one. The Arkansas Bullpen Arkansas has an edge when it comes to the bullpen. Dylan Carter is one of the top relievers in Omaha, posting a 2.18 ERA in 33 innings. Then there's Aidan Jimenez with a 3.66 ERA in 39.1 innings. Six Razorback pitchers own sub-four ERAs while pitching 20+ innings. That's the type of depth needed to win in Omaha. Arkansas will count on Root to pitch deep into the game before handing it off to a high-leverage arm, but even if Root gets knocked out early, Arkansas has the bullpen to recover. The LSU Bullpen This area is a concern for LSU. Few relievers in the Tiger bullpen are trusted right now. Casan Evans is LSU's best option. The true freshman has a 1.9 ERA in 47.1 innings. He wasn't needed in the super regional, but was dynamite the last time we saw him in the regional. At one point vs. Little Rock, Evans struck out nine straight batters. The stuff is electric. Evans can provide length out of the pen. Ideally, Anderson pitches seven innings and Evans gets the last six outs. But things don't always go as planned. If LSU has to go deeper into the pen, expect to see Zac Cowan or Cooper Williams. Cowan, a Wofford transfer, was one of the SEC's top relievers for most of the year but has struggled over the last month. Williams, a true freshman, is rolling after solid outings in the regional and super regional. Prediction LSU is the underdog in this one, but there's something about Jay Johnson's squad that gives me belief. LSU already took one series from Arkansas this year, and I think LSU gets the best of the Razorbacks again today. LSU wins 7-4.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
NBA mock draft: Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper expected to go 1-2. What happens next?
NBA mock draft: Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper expected to go 1-2. What happens next? Show Caption Hide Caption Jeremiah Fears enters NBA Draft as one of the youngest prospects Former Ohlahoma star Jeremiah Fears chats with Bryan Kalbrosky about being one of the youngest prospects entering the NBA Draft. Sports Seriously Sure, the 2025 NBA Finals is drawing all the attention, but looming in less than two weeks is the NBA draft. That means that teams across the league — even the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder — are putting the final touches on their draft boards as they sort out needs and the best available players. And while it seems like there's a consensus atop the board, with Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper the likely selections at No. 1 and No. 2, it's anyone's guess what happens as the draft unfolds. Here's a look at USA TODAY Sports' NBA mock draft two weeks out from the NBA draft on June 25-26: (Age listed is age at time of the draft; for U.S. college players, height (without shoes) and weight taken at NBA draft combine) 2025 NBA mock draft 1. Dallas Mavericks: Cooper Flagg, Duke Freshman, guard-forward, 6-7¾ , 221, 18 years old 2024-25 stats: 19.2 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.4 bpg, 48.1% FG, 38.5% 3PT, 84% FT The do-it-all young star led the Blue Devils in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. Flagg has outstanding footwork, especially in the low post. He can use either hand on shots in the paint, knows how to run plays, can hit catch-and-shoot 3s and is an active weakside defender. Flagg, who added more muscle since the start of the year, is a physical player who initiates contact, is confident and plays with force when necessary. He led Duke to an impressive season, which includes the ACC regular-season title, ACC tournament title and Final Four appearance. He had 30 points, seven assists and six rebounds in a regional semifinal victory against Arizona and 16 points and nine rebounds in a regional final against Alabama. Flagg had 27 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals in a Final Four loss to Houston. 2. San Antonio Spurs: Dylan Harper, Rutgers Freshman, guard, 6-4½ , 213, 19 2024-25 stats: 19.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.4 spg, 48.4% FG, 33.3% 3PT, 75% FT The lefty stroke will remind some of Jalen Brunson, but Harper has far more size at 6-6 and tremendous length with a wingspan of 6-foot-10. Harper's best asset at the next level might be his versatility to run point and play off the ball. In Rutgers' lone Big Ten tournament game, Harper had 27 points (9-for-21 shooting), eight rebounds, eight assists, two steals and two blocks in a double-overtime loss to Southern California. 3. Philadelphia 76ers: VJ Edgecombe, Baylor Freshman, guard, 6-4, 193, 19 2024-25 stats: 15.0 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.1 spg, 43.6% FG, 34% 3PT, 78.2% FT The Bahamian native has displayed his athleticism, has shown he can be explosive and has an elite knack for steals. He will be able to contribute at the NBA level and can be aggressive at the point of attack. The freshman is a high-level off-ball scorer but can improve when it comes to on-ball scoring. Edgecombe logged significant minutes at the end of the season. He had 16 points, six rebounds and one steal in a NCAA Tournament second-round loss to Duke. 4. Charlotte Hornets: Ace Bailey, Rutgers Freshman, guard-forward, 6-7½ , 202, 18 2024-25 stats: 17.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.3 bpg, 46% FG, 34.6% 3PT, 69.2% FT Bailey is a hyper-athletic wing with length and size coming into a league that prioritizes players built exactly the way he is with exactly the skill set he has: an effortless and reliable shot and an attack-first mentality with an ability to finish at the rim. Needs to improve as a playmaker on the pass and free throws. But even when offense isn't easy, he remains active on defense. He had 17 points, seven rebounds, three steals and one block in season-ending loss to USC. 5. Utah Jazz: Tre Johnson, Texas Freshman, guard, 6-4¾, 190, 19 2024-25 stats: 19.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 42.7% FG, 39.7% 3PT, 87.1% FT Johnson is a natural shooter and scorer. He does well when scoring on the move and is a decent playmaker for his size. He still needs to work on his ability to make plays for others. He must also work on his strength and his explosiveness in order to assert himself as a finisher at the rim. He had three 30-point games in the past two months, including 39 against Arkansas on Feb. 26. He had 23 points and six rebounds in an NCAA Tournament loss to Xavier. 6. Washington Wizards: Kon Knueppel, Duke Freshman, guard-forward, 6-5, 219, 19 2024-25 stats: 14.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 47.9% FG, 40.6% 3PT, 91.4% FT He can ignite an offense with his 3-point shot, thanks to an efficient motion, seemingly always ready to receive the ball in his shooting pocket. He can also lace shots from midrange, take care of the ball and is money on free throws. In the ACC tournament, Knueppel averaged 21 points (28 against Georgia Tech) and shot 48.6% from the field, stepping up with Flagg injured. He averaged 20.5 points and shot 11-for-22 from the field (4-for-6 on 3s) in two regional games. He had 21 points, five rebounds and five assists in an Elite Eight victory against Alabama, and 16 points and seven rebounds in a Final Four loss to Houston. 7. New Orleans Pelicans: Jeremiah Fears, Oklahoma Freshman, guard, 6-2½, 180, 18 2024-25 stats: 17.1 ppg, 4.1 apg, 4.1 rpg, 1.6 spg, 43.4% FG, 28.4% 3PT, 85.1% FT Solid start to his freshman season; quick on the dribble; has strength going to the rim and can finish; operates well in the pick-and-roll as a scorer and passer; needs to improve his 3-point shot but potential is there. Fears scored a season-high 31 points and added five assists and four rebounds in a win against ranked Missouri. Fears had a strong SEC tournament, producing 29 points, six rebounds and five steals plus five turnovers in a victory against Georgia and 28 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals (just one turnover) in a loss to Kentucky. He generated 20 points, five rebounds and four assists in a NCAA Tournament first-round loss to UConn. 8. Brooklyn Nets: Kasparas Jakucionis, Illinois Freshman, guard, 6-4¾, 205, 19 2024-25 stats: 15.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.7 apg, 44% FG, 31.8% 3PT, 84.5% FT Jakucionis is a playmaker – a scorer and passer. He has range with a nice 3-ball, can shoot off the dribble from deep, including on step-back 3s, and looks for an open teammate when he draws multiple defenders. Jakucionis sees the court well with savvy passes and likes to get to the rim for layups. But he can be turnover-prone. He struggled offensively at the end of the season, shooting 32.5% from the field and committing 24 turnovers in the final four games. He had 16 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds in a first-round NCAA Tournament victory against Xavier. 9. Toronto Raptors: Khaman Maluach, Duke Freshman, center, 7-0½, 253, 18 2024-25 stats: 8.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.3 bpg, 71.2% FG, 76.6% FT Playing about 20 minutes per game, Maluach is a mobile big who excels in pick-and-rolls and has the hands to catch lobs for easy dunks; soft touch at the rim; shot-blocker/rim protector; active on the offensive glass; will get stronger and has a great aptitude for the game, learning concepts quickly. In four NCAA Tournament games, Maluach, who played for South Sudan at the 2024 Paris Olympics, averages 11.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and shoots 86.9% from the field (20-for-23) and had 14 points and nine rebounds in Elite Eight victory against Alabama. He struggled to make an impact in the Final Four loss to Houston with just six points and no rebounds. 10. Houston Rockets: Collin Murray-Boyles, South Carolina Sophomore, forward, 6-6½, 239, 20 2024-25 stats: 16.8 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 2.4 agp, 1.5 spg, 1.3 bpg, 58.6% FG, 26.5% 3PT, 70.7% FT Although he's a bit undersized for a power forward, Murray-Boyles plays with intense effort and determination, which will very quickly please his NBA coaches. He also has plenty of strength to finish at the rim and was the SEC's No. 3 rebounder. Murray-Boyles had 35 points and seven rebounds against Arkansas late in the regular season and had 20 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to Arkansas in the SEC tournament. 11. Portland Trail Blazers: Carter Bryant, Arizona Freshman, forward, 6-6½, 215, 19 2024-25 stats: 6.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.0 bpg, 46% FG, 37.1% 3PT, 69.5% FT The athletic forward provides a solid combination of strength and fluidity. He has lateral quickness to stay in front of the ball and the ability to block shots. He can still improve on his technique as a finisher and in scoring efficiency. He will get an increased opportunity to impress scouts and executives at the draft combine if he enters the draft. Bryant scored 12 points and collected five rebounds and three blocks in 20 minutes in a victory against Akron in the NCAA Tournament. 12. Chicago Bulls: Derik Queen, Maryland Freshman, center, 6-9¼, 248, 20 2024-25 stats: 16.5 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.1 bpg, 52.6% FG, 76.6% FT An active, physical big man, Queen has a soft touch around the rim with either hand but has a power game, too. He can run the court and handle the basketball well for a power forward-center. He is another potential first-round pick with good hands and footwork and has the mechanics to become a shooter who can stretch the floor. Queen had 27 points, five rebounds and two steals in a Sweet 16 loss to eventual champion Florida. 13. Atlanta Hawks: Noa Essengue, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany) Forward, 6-10, 198, 18 2024-25 stats: 10.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.1 apg, 51.6% FG, 27% 3PT, 70.5% FT The next forward with elite finishing ability to come out of France, Essengue figures to be more of a developmental prospect, but his size, instincts at the rim and plus-defensive ability could make him a star if he bulks up. 14. San Antonio Spurs: Asa Newell Freshman, forward, 6-9, 224, 19 2024-25 stats: 15.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.0 spg, 1.0 bpg, 54.3% FG, 29.2% 3PT, 74.8% FT Based off of his size, Newell wouldn't appear to be as quick and fluid as he is, which should make him an instant threat in pick-and-roll situations. He was one of the lone bright spots for the Bulldogs in a loss against No. 1 Auburn with a team-high 20 points. His scoring dipped at the end of the regular season, however, he had 20 points and eight rebounds in a first-round NCAA Tournament loss to Gonzaga. 15. Oklahoma City Thunder: Danny Wolf, Michigan Junior, forward-center, 6-10½, 252, 21 2024-25 stats: 13.2 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.4 bpg, 49.7% FG, 33.6% 3PT, 59.4% FT The Yale transfer is shooting up draft boards thanks to his fluid scoring and play-making portfolio in the package of a 7-foot stretch big. Wolf played point guard at times this season for the Wolverines just like he played center. His handles make him a threat as the initiator in pick-and-roll actions and his range should translate to the NBA. Wolf had 21 points and 14 rebounds against Maryland in the Big Ten tournament semifinals and shot 52.9% from the field as the Wolverines won the conference tourney. He had 20 points and six rebounds in a NCAA regional semifinals loss to Auburn. 16. Orlando Magic: Egor Demin, BYU Freshman, forward, 6-8¼, 199, 19 2024-25 stats: 10.3 ppg, 5.4 apg, 3.8 rpg, 1.2 spg, 41% FG, 27.1% 3PT, 67.5% FT The Russian is a playmaker who can make quick decisions and facilitate for others. Demin is the size of a wing player but has guard-like skills. On defense, he uses his length to his advantage while forcing turnovers and being active in passing lanes. His shooting efficiency is a concern. Demin had difficulty with his offense as the season progressed. He had just three points with four turnovers, three assists and three rebounds in a Big 12 conference tournament victory against Iowa State and six points on 2-for-9 shooting (1-for-7 on 3s) with four assists and five turnovers in a conference tournament loss to Houston. In three NCAA tournament games, he averaged 13.7 points, 5.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds and was 15-for-35 from the field. 17. Minnesota Timberwolves: Liam McNeeley, UConn Freshman, forward, 6-6¾, 215, 19 2024-25 stats: 14.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 38.1% FG, 31.7% 3PT, 86.6% FT What McNeeley may lack in fluid athleticism, he more than makes up for with a smooth, natural shot and knack for drawing fouls and getting to the free throw line. He also has a quick release and plenty of range to suggest that he should get early minutes. He bounced back since suffering an ankle injury New Year's Day that had sidelined him for a few weeks. McNeeley struggled with his shot at times down the stretch. In a Big East tournament loss to Creighton, McNeeley had 13 points on 6-for-20 shooting (0-for-5 on 3-pointers), and in his final eight games before the NCAA Tournament, he shot 34.1% from the field and 28.2% on 3s. In two NCAA Tournament games, he was 8-for-29 from the field, including 3-of-16 on 3s. 18. Washington Wizards: Thomas Sorber, Georgetown Freshman, forward-center, 6-9¼, 263, 19 2024-25 stats: 14.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.4 apg, 2.0 spg, 53.2% FG, 72.4% FT The standout freshman required surgery to repair a foot injury suffered Feb. 15 and missed the rest of the season. That could alter his plans for the draft, but Sorber is a stellar inside threat who's just as comfortable cutting to the basket on pick-and-rolls as he is backing down opponents. His rebounding and rim protection will make him an asset, as he continues to grow into his frame. 19. Brooklyn Nets: Jase Richardson, Michigan State Freshman, guard, 6-0½, 178, 19 2024-25 stats: 12.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.9 apg, 49.3% FG, 41.2% 3PT, 83.6% FT Richardson improved as the season progressed and turned into the Spartans' steady hand with the basketball as a shooter (inside and out) and facilitator. He is an active defender with surprising bouts of athleticism. He also has a knack for collecting rebounds, big plays and poise under pressure. He had an up-and-down NCAA Tournament in four games – 5-for-11 shooting and 15 points against Bryant, 1-for-10 shooting against New Mexico, 20 points on 6-for-8 shooting against Ole Miss, and 4-for-13 shooting against Auburn. 20. Miami Heat: Ben Saraf, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany) Guard, 6-6, 200, 19 2024-25 stats: 12.2 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.6 rpg, 1.2 spg, 45.5% FG, 28.6% 3PT, 72.7% FT He's just as comfortable knocking down a step-back jumper, finding creases in the paint and dishing the ball with excellent vision. He may need some time to develop as he adjusts to NBA athletes, but his length and size at point guard will make him an intriguing prospect. 21. Utah Jazz: Joan Beringer, KK Cedevita (Adriatic League) Forward-center, 6-10, 230, 18 2024-25 stats: 5.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.4 bpg, 61.5% FG, 58.4% FT Beringer has gained traction among NBA scouts and executives as a mobile big man who can run the pick-and-roll as a screener on offense and guard the pick-and-roll. He doesn't have a lot of experience but his potential, especially as a rim protector, has made him a first-round prospect. Another player who has improved throughout the season. 22. Atlanta Hawks: Nolan Traore, Saint-Quentin (France) Guard, 6-4, 175, 19 2024-25 stats: 12 ppg, 4.8 apg, 1.9 rpg, 40.9% FG, 31.4% 3PT, 72.8% FT Traore is a point guard who can score and pass and has court awareness but also a propensity for bad turnovers. He's quick, can get to the rim and is comfortable taking his defender off the dribble. Needs to work on his shooting efficiency, especially on 3s. His brother, Armel, was on a two-way contract with the Los Angeles and South Bay Lakers before being waived in February. 23. Indiana Pacers: Will Riley, Illinois Freshman, forward, 6-8¼, 186, 19 2024-25 stats: 12.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.2 apg, 43.2% FG, 32.6% 3PT, 72.4% FT Great size for a shooting guard who can make 3s and find open teammates. Like many, looks for offensive rebounds. His shot is a work in progress but the mechanics are there and he improved as a shooter and scorer as the season progressed. He shot 37-for-72 (51.4%) from the field and averaged 16.3 points in the Illini's final six games. 24. Oklahoma City Thunder: Nique Clifford, Colorado State Fifth-year graduate season, guard, 6-5¼, 202, 23 2024-25 stats: 18.9 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.2 spg, 49.6% FG, 37.7% 3PT, 77.7% FT Clifford is a versatile wing who does a lot of things – scoring, rebounding, passing and defending. He has a quick burst on drives to the basket and can finish with force or finesse. He logged big minutes for Colorado State and was excellent in the Rams' final six games before the NCAA tournament, posting 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.5 steals and shooting 60% from the field, including 54.8% on 3s. He had 36 points against Boise State at the end of the regular season and recorded two double-doubles in the Mountain West tournament. Clifford had 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two blocks in an NCAA tournament second-round loss to Maryland. 25. Orlando Magic: Rasheer Fleming, Saint Joseph's Junior, forward, 6-8¼, 232, 20 2024-25 stats: 14.75 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg, 1.4 spg, 1.3 apg, 53.1% FG, 39% 3PT, 74.3% FT Fleming is a mobile forward who plays a physical game and has strong footwork to finesse his way around defenders. He likes to get easy buckets in transition, his 3-point percentage in nearly five attempts per game is encouraging and he is valuable in pick-and-rolls as the screener. Defensively, he deflects passes and can protect the rim. Fleming averaged 18.8 points and 7.7 rebounds and shot 58.9% in the last six regular-season Atlantic 10 Conference contests. 26. Brooklyn Nets: Noah Penda, Le Mans (France) Forward, 6-8, 225, 20 2024-25 stats: 10.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.3 spg, 45.8% FG, 34.7% 3PT, 67.9% FT A solidly-built wing, Penda may not be the most explosive athlete, but he has flashed excellent footwork in the low block, has steady enough ball-handling abilities and can knock down 3s with relative efficiency. Penda has also shown that he can move well without the ball, often slashing through a defense on cuts for easy buckets. Improved as a shooter and scorer as the season progressed. 27. Brooklyn Nets: Walter Clayton Jr., Florida Senior, guard, 6-2, 199, 22 2024-25 stats: 18.3 ppg, 4.2 apg, 3.7 rpg, 1.2 spg, 44.8% FG, 38.6% 3PT, 85.7% FT Named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, Clayton had 34 points in the national semifinals against Auburn and 11 points, seven assists and five rebounds in the championship victory against Houston. He also scored 30 points in a regional final against Texas Tech and was 21-for-42 from the field in the Gators' final three games. Has range on 3-point shots and can shoot off the dribble or pass but needs to improve as a playmaker and defender. 28. Boston Celtics: Hugo Gonzalez, Real Madrid (Spain) Guard-forward, 6-7, 207, 19 2024-25 stats: 3.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 41% FG, 28.1% 3PT, 73.9% FT One of Europe's top young NBA prospects, Gonzalez is a versatile wing with the ability to score inside and out. He can handle the basketball, pass and is a surprising shot-blocker. He's still raw. 29. Phoenix Suns: Kam Jones, Marquette Senior, guard, 6-5, 205, 23 2024-25 stats: 19.2 ppg, 5.9 apg, 4.5 rpg, 1.4 spg, 48.3% FG, 31.1% 3PT, 64.8% FT All-Big East first-team selection, Jones is a strong, physical guard who can finish on drives to the rim, possesses solid footwork and isn't afraid of contact. He improved as a playmaker/passer this season and is a solid rebounder with at least 10 five-plus rebound games. The left-hander had a dip in his 3-point shooting percentage this season but has shown the ability to make them off the dribble and on catch-and-shoots as a career 37% shooter from deep. Jones was solid in the Big East tournament with 28 points (11-for-22 shooting, 5-for-10 on 3s), five assists and four rebounds in a victory against Xavier and 24 points (3-for-12 on 3s) and seven rebounds in a loss to St. John's. He had 15 points, five rebounds and five assists in a NCAA tournament first-round loss to New Mexico. 30. Los Angeles Clippers: Drake Powell, North Carolina Freshman, guard-forward, 6-5¼, 200, 19 2024-25 stats: 7.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.1 apg, 48.3% FG, 37.9% 3PT, 64.8% FT Active on both ends of the court as a shot-blocker and physical and versatile defender, and as a player who likes to run the court, launch catch-and-shoot 3s and go one-on-one in the halfcourt. Playing on a deep team, especially on the perimeter, Powell doesn't possess eye-popping offensive stats but his shooting stats reveal his potential. Was an efficient scorer in limited opportunities and can be a solid rebounder from the perimeter.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Texas A&M will face an ACC opponent in late November for a neutral-site game
Texas A&M will face an ACC opponent in late November for a neutral-site game New Texas A&M basketball coach Bucky McMillan is just two players away from completing his 15-man roster ahead of his inaugural 2025 season, as the former Samford head coach has already assembled an elite depth chart that rivals several SEC rosters, led by Creighton transfer guard Pop Issacs and Indiana transfer forward Mackenzie Mgbako. After the drama regarding Mgbako's flirtation with the 2025 NBA Draft ended with him signing with the Aggies, Issacs, who was previously committed to Houston, opted to join A&M's roster, knowing that he will be a guaranteed starter in an offense that will shoot a lot of 3-pointers, something he excelled at during his injury-riddled 2024 season with the Blue Jays. Over the past two weeks, McMillan has pieced together a nonconference schedule that includes an early road test against Oklahoma State, an ACC/SEC showdown against Pittsburgh, and now, according to CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein, a "neutral site" game against Florida State set to take place on November 28 in Tampa, Florida. Florida State will also introduce its new head coach, Luke Loucks, who has assembled a respectable team this offseason. The game has yet to receive an official location in Tampa, which is expected to be announced soon. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
