TIME-DEPENDENT RATINGS
TIME-INDEPENDENT RATINGS
Automated 2024-25 Game Preview
Clemson  7-1 (0.875)  |  ACC
-- AT --
Miami  3-4 (0.429)  |  ACC
Includes games through December 1, 2024.
Data shown on this page is based on time-dependent ratings.
0.953 (18th)
   All-Play Percentage
  
0.763 (87th)
0.459 (186th)
   Schedule Strength
  
0.367 (302nd)
0.404 (26th)
   Record Quality
  
-0.140 (242nd)
23.24 (21st)
   Avg. Season Rank
  
47.14 (48th)
1.35 (27th)
   Momentum
  
N/A (N/A)
-6.16 (38th)
   Consistency
  
-6.86 (79th)
0.35 (106th)
   Away/Home Court   
4.51 (32nd)
66.22 (315th)
  Pace
67.28 (267th)
IN POSSESSION
CLEM
MIA
Cat Rtg Rk Rtg Rk
Eff 115.56 41 109.20 261
FTAR 27.39 146 24.26 73
FT% 75.22 93 -- --
FGAR 89.86 23 88.65 320
FG% 45.96 83 44.81 225
3P% 36.45 55 33.31 152
MR% 42.19 82 45.64 344
NP% 59.60 111 56.69 132
PPSt 12.00 181 9.84 38
SCC% 6.54 72 7.59 351
Prox 2.04 196 2.03 179
IN POSSESSION
MIA
CLEM
Cat Rtg Rk Rtg Rk
Eff 116.56 30 92.46 10
FTAR 25.27 239 21.44 14
FT% 80.37 16 -- --
FGAR 88.69 48 84.49 106
FG% 46.47 67 39.04 19
3P% 36.51 50 30.36 26
MR% 39.63 186 35.11 37
NP% 64.02 29 52.45 29
PPSt 12.19 173 9.02 13
SCC% 7.08 43 4.60 66
Prox 2.09 308 2.06 113
CLEMSON IN POSSESSION:
The Miami defense will likely fold quite easily against the Clemson offensive attack. The Clemson offense is ranked #41 in Division I, while Miami comes in nationally at #261 on defense.
SHOT SELECTION: The shot preferences of these two teams are somewhat similar on this end of the floor. The Clemson offense exhibits a slight preference for perimeter shots over inside ones, while the Miami defense similarly surrenders more opportunities from the outside. Against the Miami defense, this site projects that the shot makeup of the Clemson offense will be 38.7% three-pointers (0.5% above the D1 average), 26.1% mid-range jumpers (0.6% below the D1 average), and 35.2% near-proximity twos (0.1% above the D1 average).
SHOOTING PERCENTAGE: Clemson is fairly decent at draining shots from the floor, ranking 83rd nationally in overall field goal conversion rate. The Miami defense, meanwhile, has been unexceptional in defensive field goal percentage, rated 225th nationally in that category. On this end of the court, the Clemson offense has an analytical edge in both three-point shooting and mid-range shooting, while the two opposing units are rated fairly evenly in near-proximity shooting. This site expects Clemson to shoot 35.5% from three (1.8% above the D1 average), 47.2% from the mid-range (7.4% above the D1 average), 57.6% from near-proximity locations (0.1% below the D1 average), and 46.3% overall (2.6% above the D1 average).
REBOUNDING: Clemson has a massive rebounding advantage on this end of the floor. Clemson has the fingerprint of a team that's above-average, yet not outstanding, on the offensive glass. They're also quite proficient at scoring quickly off of their second-chance opportunities (rated 72nd in the country in second-chance conversion percentage). Their opponent in this matchup, Miami, has the appearance of a team whose defensive rebounding abilities are a bit subpar, and they're likewise horrendous when rating defensive second-chance conversion percentage (ranked 351st in D1 there).
TURNOVERS: The Miami defense likely won't force many turnovers against the Clemson offense. On offense, Clemson routinely handles the ball with care. Their ratings for field goal attempt rate (ranked 23rd in the country) and potential quick points allowed off of steals (13th) can both be considered exquisite. As for the opposition, the Miami D is neither aggressive nor conservative from a turnovers perspective.
FREE THROWS: This looks to be somewhat of a stalemate. Clemson obtains a fairly average number of chances from the charity stripe (nationally ranked #146 in free throw attempt rate), though they're above-average shooters from there (75.2%, 93rd in the country). As for the opposition, the Miami D does a solid job keeping foes off the foul line and ranks 73rd in the country in defensive free throw attempt rate.

MIAMI IN POSSESSION:
There isn't much of an advantage either way here when Miami is in possession of the basketball. This site rates Clemson to be tenth in the nation in defensive efficiency, while Miami is currently our #30 squad in offensive efficiency.
SHOT SELECTION: These two units prefer similar shot locations on this end of the court. The Miami offense exhibits a slight preference for perimeter shots over inside ones, while the Clemson defense similarly tends to allow more opportunities from the outside. Against the Clemson defense, this site forecasts that the shot breakdown of the Miami offense will be 43.7% three-pointers (5.6% above the D1 average), 24.4% mid-range jumpers (2.3% below the D1 average), and 31.8% near-proximity twos (3.3% below the D1 average).
SHOOTING PERCENTAGE: Miami has been converting field goals at a solid rate and is rated our #67 team in overall field goal percentage this season. Meanwhile, the Clemson defense has done exceptional work to keep opponents' shooting percentages in check (nationally ranked #19 in defensive field goal conversion rate). On this end of the court, the Clemson defense gets the analytical nod in mid-range shooting, while the two units rate fairly evenly in both three-point shooting and near-proximity shooting. We expect Miami to shoot 34.0% from behind the arc (0.3% above the D1 average), 35.0% from mid-range locations (4.7% below the D1 average), 60.1% from near-proximity (2.4% above the D1 average), and 42.5% overall (1.2% below the D1 average).
REBOUNDING: Clemson may have a small rebounding edge on this end of the court. Miami seems to be a bit better than the D1 norm when it comes to offensive rebounding. Additionally, they are very solid at converting their second chance opportunities, ranking 43rd nationally in that category. Meanwhile, Clemson cleans the defensive glass at an extremely high level, and they've similarly been solid squashing opponents' putback conversion rates (nationally ranked 66th in that category).
TURNOVERS: Miami will likely keep the basketball very secure against this Clemson defense. When in possession, Miami protects the basketball pretty well and won't cough up the rock too many times. Their field goal attempt rate is well above-average (rated 48th in the country), while their rating for potential quick points allowed off of steals is very solid (38th in the country). Meanwhile, the Clemson defense demonstrates fairly balanced pressure and shouldn't be considered overly conservative or aggressive.
FREE THROWS: The Miami offense won't see the free throw line very often in this contest. They're typically a team that obtains a fairly average number of chances from the charity stripe (239th in the country in free throw attempt rate), though they're capable of inflicting loads of damage from there (80.4%, ranked #16 in Division I). Meanwhile, the Clemson D has been excellent at minimizing opponents' free throw opportunities, ranking 14th in the NCAA in defensive free throw attempt rate.

THE X-FACTORS:
PACE: Nobody will be in a huge rush to score in a contest such as this one. Both squads have a preference for slow-down basketball. Clemson is 315th in the country in game pace, while Miami presently ranks 267th.
AWAY/HOME COURT: Clemson has performed better away from home this year than they have at home. Unfortunately for them, they face Miami, who has played their very best basketball this season in front of their home crowd.
CONSISTENCY: Both of these squads are pretty consistent from an efficiency perspective. Clemson ranks 38th in the country in consistency, while Miami is presently 79th in that category.

THE VERDICT:
Miami certainly has a shot to win here, but the numbers tell us that Clemson is the right choice. Clemson 75.79, Miami 67.82.