The Clemson Tigers won the opening game of the 2017 ACC Tournament, but can they keep that momentum going against the Duke Blue Devils?
TV Schedule: Wednesday, March 8, 2:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Clemson Tigers might have a minuscule chance of making the 2017 NCAA Tournament, but their win over the NC State Wolfpack in the opening game of the 2017 ACC Tournament keeps that dream alive just a little longer. Clemson, who started off ACC play by going 1-6, have righted the ship a bit to end the season, currently on a three-game win streak, including their 75-61 victory over NC State.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, their next opponents are the Duke Blue Devils, who, after a disappointing end to the season, are out for blood.
We all thought the Blue Devils would be one of the best teams in the country heading into the 2016-17 college basketball season, but a rough start to conference play that included a loss to NC State tempered out expectations. From late January into February, Duke went on a seven-game win streak that included victories over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Virginia Cavaliers, and North Carolina Tar Heels, causing us to think that perhaps Duke had finally figured it all out.
However, the Blue Devils limped into the ACC Tournament, losing three of their last four games and look to be in trouble heading into the postseason.
Fortunately for the Blue Devils, I believe a strong ACC Tournament performance shakes that off. These players came into the season thinking about the postseason, and the win-or-go-home mentality fits this squad perfectly.
Clemson doesn’t stand a chance, as they get dominated by a superior Blue Devils’ team.
Prediction: Duke 78, Clemson 64
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The Tigers did play the Blue Devils close on the road, but Grayson Allen only went for eight points in that game. That will not happen again on a much bigger stage.