ACC Roundup - Only One Game On Monday, But It Could Be A Good One
As the Tar Heels head down to Tiger Town
Only one game on tap for Monday but it’s a very intriguing one as UNC visits Clemson.
Why?
Well, consider. UNC is trying to revive its tournament hopes. Beating Pitt helps, but is it enough to put the 14-10 Tar Heels on the right side of the bubble?
No, probably not. They’ll need more and Clemson is one of the best bets in this year’s down ACC.
And as far as Clemson goes, here’s a new idea: could UNC be a trap game? After the energy and emotion the Tigers put into beating Duke, a mediocre UNC team might not get the same level of passion.
It’s kind of funny to think about it that way because for Clemson, getting Duke and UNC at home has always been a chance to stick it to their northern neighbors.
Then there’s UNC’s lack of size and guard-dominated team vs. Clemson’s more balanced approach. And as we saw Saturday, Victor Lakhin is very capable. If he plays like that against UNC, there is no one who can stop him. Toss in Ian Schieffelin, Chauncey Wiggins and Christian Reeves, and the Tigers have a massive size advantage.
And the backcourt battle doesn’t necessarily tilt that much into UNC’s favor.
Consider: UNC features RJ Davis, Elliot Cadeau, Seth Trimble, Ian Jackson and Drake Powell (though he’s been forced to play more at forward due to UNC’s lack of inside punch), while Clemson counters with Jaeden Zackery, the Hunt brothers Chase and Dillon and Del Jones.
We’re not sure what’s going on with Jackson, but after playing brilliantly for seven games from 12/21 (UCLA) through 1/15 (Cal), he’s regressed. He’s only hit double digits once since, in UNC’s overtime win against BC and in 22 minutes against Pitt, didn’t score at all. He only took three shots and just six against Duke in the previous game.
Realistically, Clemson won’t be down for this one. They might be tired, but from their point of view, UNC comes in highly vulnerable and that should whet their appetite.
Finally, keep in mind that only one of these teams has consistently defended well, and it ain’t the Tar Heels. And keep in mind too that Cadeau has displayed a carelessness with the basketball and some poor habits like casual, one-handed passes.
It’s aways possible that UNC gets hot and blows Clemson out from behind the line or something, but it seems unlikely. We think Clemson will win and possibly with ease.
Monday’s ACC Action
UNC at Clemson || 7:00 || ESPN
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- UNC Basketball looks to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume at Clemson
- Clemson Basketball: UNC Preview
- Clemson basketball vs North Carolina: Prediction, picks, injury updates and odds
- ‘Desperate mentality’: Tar Heels face quick turnaround as UNC keeps tournament hopes alive