Fri Nov 21 23:20:00 UTC 2025: Summary:

The Charleston Classic basketball tournament begins today with West Virginia facing Clemson in the first round. The winner will play either Xavier or Georgia, who face off in the second game. Analytics provide a quick preview of each team, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses based on rankings and efficiency metrics from KenPom. Clemson is ranked 26th overall with a slow tempo and strong turnover prevention. West Virginia sits at 33rd overall with a fast tempo and excels at forcing turnovers, but struggles with 3-point shooting. Xavier is ranked 61st, is slow paced, and excels at forcing turnovers. Georgia is ranked 103rd with a fast tempo and struggles with blocking shots.

News Article:

Mountaineers Tip Off Charleston Classic Against Clemson

CHARLESTON, SC – The West Virginia Mountaineers begin their quest for the Charleston Classic title today, facing off against the Clemson Tigers in the first round. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 PM ET and will be broadcast on ESPNU.

Coach Ross Hodge’s Mountaineers enter the tournament as the 33rd ranked team according to KenPom, boasting a 5-0 record. While WVU thrives on a fast-paced offense and excels at forcing turnovers (ranked 2nd nationally), their Achilles heel appears to be 3-point shooting (ranked 327th).

Clemson, currently ranked 26th with a 4-1 record, presents a contrasting style. The Tigers play at a deliberate tempo (ranked 347th) and are exceptional at protecting the ball (ranked 1st in non-steal turnover rate). However, their defensive steal rate is a notable weakness.

The winner of the West Virginia-Clemson matchup will advance to face the winner of the earlier game between Xavier and Georgia. Xavier is ranked 61st, is slow paced, and excels at forcing turnovers. Georgia is ranked 103rd with a fast tempo and struggles with blocking shots. The tournament promises exciting matchups and a chance for these teams to improve their resumes early in the season.

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