Clemson Hits the Road to Florida State

Clemson is heading on the road to Tallahassee, Florida for an ACC matchup with the Seminoles. (Photo Credit: Charles Mays - Tiger View Media)

After back-to-back ACC losses, the Clemson Tigers women’s basketball team is heading on the road to face the Florida State Seminoles, who hold a 13-4 overall record and are 3-2 in ACC play. The Tigers are coming off a hard-fought loss on Sunday evening against one of the nation's top teams, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Similarly, the Seminoles are also reeling from back-to-back conference losses, falling to Stanford and Cal, which are two teams Clemson has already defeated this season. Both squads will look to avoid a third consecutive ACC loss in what promises to be a competitive matchup. Let’s break down how Clemson and Florida State are set to line up on Thursday night.

Clemson is coming off a challenging game in which they struggled offensively against the formidable defense of Notre Dame. The Tigers didn’t hit their first three-pointer until the second half and finished the game shooting just 20% from beyond the arc—an uncharacteristically low mark for a Shawn Poppie-led team. However, they found success at the free-throw line, where they shot an impressive 80%.

To stay competitive against Florida State, Clemson will need to improve their shooting efficiency, especially since the Seminoles are ranked second in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 92.8 points per game. The Tigers’ effort will start with Loyal McQueen, who leads the team in points and assists per game. McQueen will need to bounce back after her last two performances, where she shot just 29.3% over the past two games. If she can return to her usual form, Clemson will be much more competitive.

Mia Moore will also play a critical role in Clemson’s success. Over the past two games, Moore has been a reliable contributor, averaging 14 points and 5.5 rebounds. A strong showing from her, alongside McQueen, could make a significant impact. Another player to watch is Hannah Kohn, who seems to be finding her rhythm after scoring 17 points against Virginia and 14 against Notre Dame. Known for her sharpshooting from beyond the arc, Kohn’s ability to hit clutch threes will be essential. If Clemson can deliver a balanced, all-around performance and capitalize on their strengths, they have a solid chance to secure a win against Florida State.

For this to be possible, Clemson must limit some of the key playmakers on Florida State’s roster. Leading the charge for the Seminoles is Ta’Niya Latson, the current NCAA leader in points per game with an impressive 26.8 average. Slowing her down will be crucial for Clemson, though it’s no small task. Latson is coming off a quieter game against Cal, where she scored 13 points, but she has shown her scoring dominance with 24 points against Stanford and 25 points against Syracuse in her previous outings. Keeping her in check will be a top priority for the Tigers.

In addition to Latson, Makayla Timpson is another player Clemson must contend with. Timpson leads the Seminoles in rebounding, averaging 10.6 boards per game, and she’s a dual threat who can hurt teams offensively as well. Over the last two games, Timpson has averaged 18 points and 10.5 rebounds, showcasing her ability to dominate on both ends of the floor. Neutralizing her impact will be just as critical as containing Latson. This dynamic duo has been a driving force behind Florida State’s strong 13-4 record, and their play underscores why the Seminoles are such a formidable opponent. For Clemson to succeed, they’ll need to execute a complete and disciplined game plan on the road.

Expect this matchup to be highly competitive from start to finish. Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m., and you can catch all the action on ACC Network Extra.