Busting Brackets
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Geo Baker of Rutgers Basketball has tough task against defense of Clemson

By Holden Walter-Warner

Mar 1, 2021; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Jacob Young (42) calls a play against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2021; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Jacob Young (42) calls a play against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Clemson Tigers Aamir Simms Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images /

Shut down Aamir Simms

The senior forward is the engine that drives the Tigers. They’ll go as far as their best player is able to carry them.

Simms may only average 13.3 points per game, but he leads the team in scoring. He also leads Clemson in rebounds (6.2 per game), assists (2.7 per game), and blocks (0.7 per game).

He’s particularly adept on the defensive end of the court. His 95.1 defensive rating ranked third in the ACC this season. He also ranked in the top 20 in the conference in defensive rebounding and swats.

While he’s easily Clemson’s best player, his game is not perfect. He struggles with personal fouls and sometimes has a hard time keeping his turnovers down.

Simms committed 68 personal fouls this season, which ranks seventh in the ACC. His 57 turnovers ranked seventh as well, the second straight year he ranked in the top 20 in that category in the conference.

Rutgers is middle-of-the-road when it comes to forcing turnovers, averaging 13 forced turnovers per game. They’ll need to position themselves better to cause some disruption to Simms and the Clemson offense.

Clemson falls apart when Simms doesn’t play well. Taking him out of the action or off the court should throw the team off-balance.

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