Clemson's Lineup Puzzle: Thompson Shines vs UNC

0:00On March 12, Clemson Tigers moved on in the ACC tournament after beating 13-seated, Wake 4-71-62 on Wednesday night. Their starting center, Carter Welling, suffered a knee injury late in the first half and didn't return, playing just 12 minutes with 5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks. The bench stepped up big time, especially freshman Chase Thompson, who logged a career high 19 minutes and scored 9 points with the games, best plus minus of plus 14. Dallas Thomas also saw 10 minutes of action. Still, Clemson's offense slowed down after halftime, letting Wake 4s hang around despite an 18-point lead at the break. Fans noticed Welling on crutches during the second half, turning worries about his status into a sure thing for the quarterfinals. Facing North Carolina mean size matters a lot, and with limited true centers like RJ Godfrey and Nick Davidson, coach Brad Brownale has tough choices. Ahega Thompson looks like the hot hand after his strong showing, bringing size, shooting,

1:01and better decision-making as the season goes on. Jake Welling could slide in too, with his 6-10 frame and prior starts, though North Carolina might target him defensively. The Tigers tip off against the tar heels Thursday at 9.30pm in Charlotte on ESPN, battling for a semi-final spot with his lineup puzzle, still unsolved.