Brad Brownell unpacks coaching decisions late vs. Georgia Tech
Clemson led Georgia Tech for much of Tuesday night’s game and took a 68-59 lead with 1:43 remaining in regulation.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, they couldn’t hold on as the Yellow Jackets rallied to tie the game and eventually won in double-overtime.
Afterwards, Clemson head coach Brad Brownell revisited decisions he made in the final seconds of regulation, including not fouling late with a three-point lead and 11 seconds left.
“You know, obviously we could’ve fouled up 3. Sometimes I foul, sometimes I don’t foul. I’ve won and lost both ways. It was kind of in that zone where there could still be enough time,” Brad Brownell said. “You’d love to tell your guys, ‘Alright, foul with four [seconds left].’ But then the lower the clock gets, the more guys are about ready to shoot it and you’re bringing in fouling a 3-point shooter. So, you know, we just decided to try to guard them.”
That decision didn’t pay off as Georgia Tech guard Naithan George drilled a 3-pointer with two seconds left in regulation to tie the game. It was the second straight clutch 3-pointer made by George.
Clemson led Georgia Tech by five with 22 seconds left, before George hit a 3 to make it a two-point game. After Clemson guard Chase Hunter hit 1 of 2 at the foul line, George hit his second three in the final 15 seconds to send the game to overtime.
“I think Dillon [Hunter] got screened and made a mistake. And they made a big shot,” Brownell said. “In hindsight, maybe we should’ve tried a zone or done something a little bit [different], because it didn’t work. So we’ll look at it. I think to their credit, they made some big-time shots, too.”
Brad Brownell shares how Josh Beadle has responded since car crash
Clemson is off to a solid start to the 2023-24 season, even without guard Josh Beadle making much of an impact so far. Beadle has the kind of skills to make a major difference as he continues to come along.
But the sophomore guard was slowed by a car accident he was involved in during the fall.
“Josh had a hard fall because he was playing well and then got in the car accident and then he wasn’t right for a while, and he’s trying to play with a mask and he’s frustrated,” Clemson coach Brad Brownell said. “It affected him. It would affect most people, unless you’re a starter who knows I’m going back in.”
Beadle isn’t a starter, but his goal is almost certainly to become one at some point. He played 12.8 minutes per game a year ago as a freshman, averaging 2.3 points, 1.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.
His numbers so far this season are up, despite his minutes being down, with Beadle averaging 2.7 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game on 10.3 minutes per contest.
If Clemson can continue to get Josh Beadle up to speed, it can likely expect increased production.
“I thought Josh played well today, and the biggest thing is Josh has, I’ve talked to him about this, he has to practice well,” Brownell said. “He’s a good kid. He’s a very happy, go lucky kid. He likes to have a good time, and he has great burst. He has good speed. But every once in a while he’s a little too aggressive, like he needs to understand we have a Big 3 if we will, that, like, make sure those guys are touching the ball when you’re out there with them. But I like what Josh brings.
“He brings speed, he brings a little energy for us. When he practices well, that’s when he usually gets to play. As long as he plays well the first time he goes in then he usually gets to play a little more. He’s been practicing better.”