Ian Schieffelin addresses if Clemson is getting proper recognition for success

The Clemson Tigers men’s basketball squad has jumped out to a hot start to the 2023-2024 season. Clemson started off the year 9-0, suffering their first loss of the season in a road loss on Saturday at Memphis. But before that loss, Tigers star forward Ian Schieffelin shared his thoughts on the love, or lack thereof, that the Tigers have been receiving.

While some may be up in arms about the lack of national attention that Clemson has received in the early part of the season, Schieffelin is not particularly worried about it. According to the Clemson forward, ‘it’s all good,’ and it does not change the program’s goal this year.

“Yeah, I mean, I think it’s all good. Like, at the end of the day, it’s all good,” said Schieffelin. “Of course, you want to be ranked and XYZ, but at the end of the day, we still got one goal. And that’s at the end of the year to hold up the trophy. So, whatever comes with it comes with it.”

Schieffelin might not be too worried right now, but if history has taught us anything, there should be some concern if Clemson is not receiving ample attention toward the end of the year. Last year, the Tigers were one of the top teams in the ACC, finishing one game out of first place in the conference.

Despite that success, to go along with a 23-11 record, the Tigers found themselves left out of the field of 68 while Pittsburgh and NC State, who were ranked below them in the ACC, punched their tickets to the big dance. And that would undoubtedly derail Clemson’s goal this year of ending the season holding up the NCAA men’s basketball championship trophy, should they find themselves left out of the field of 68 for the second season in a row.

Schieffelin explains cause of his strong rebounding numbers

In the same interview, Schieffelin also addressed whether or not he is aware of his numbers heading into the game or at halftime.

“Just going for the ball,” said Schieffelin. “I mean, I’m thankful the ball comes my way sometimes, and I make it come my way sometimes. And in the game, I have a lot of rebounds. So, whatever I’m doing, it’s been working. I have no idea. I always know I’m grabbing rebounds, but I’m never thinking like I’m grabbing 17 rebounds. It’s kind of the flow of the game and what I do. It’s just natural and how it goes.”

Schieffelin’s rebounding has been tremendous for the top team in the ACC this season. The junior forward from Loganville, GA, is averaging nearly a double-double on the season with 8.9 points per game to go along with his 9.6 rebounds. And Schieffelin’s 9.6 rebounds puts him in the top 25 in the nation in the category.