North Carolina vs. Clemson: Game preview, TV schedule, prediction
The North Carolina Tar Heels, coming off back-to-back wins, return home and play the Clemson Tigers, who just picked up a huge ACC win on Saturday.
The North Carolina Tar Heels bounced back after dropping back-to-back ACC games. UNC throttled Boston College and then won in a thriller against Notre Dame.
Clemson was rolling with a 10-game winning streak that spanned three games into ACC play. The Tigers slipped up against NC State and lost in the final seconds. Clemson was able to bounce back quite nicely and knocked off the 18th ranked Miami Hurricanes on Saturday.
As for UNC, Cameron Johnson, the senior transfer from Pittsburgh, returned from injury on Dec. 20. He eventually entered the starting lineup against Boston College and stayed for the Notre Dame game. That move has paid off for Roy Williams. Johnson didn’t have as good of a game as he did against BC, but the transfer guard seems more comfortable in the starting lineup and Garrison Brooks is fine off the bench.
Clemson was rolling for a while and some thought maybe they should’ve been in the discussion for a top seed. They were due for a slip-up and that came in the fourth ACC game. NC State handed them that defeat in a thriller that was determined in the final seconds. The Tigers needed a big bounced back and the win over Miami proved to be that.
All five scorers for the Clemson Tigers are in double-figures. From there, it’s kind of ugly. No one on the bench has proven to be a threat the score. The senior transfer from Michigan, Mark Donnal, dropped 12 points off the bench against Miami.
It’s going to be a battle between high scoring guards. Joel Berry is having himself the senior year everyone thought. Berry is averaging 17.4 points per game with 45 total made three-pointers. For Clemson, Marcquise Reed is averaging just under 16 points per game, 33 made 3-pointers, 3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds.
Reed and Berry both only have two games where they have scored less than 10 points. One game for Berry was their loss to Michigan State where the Tar Heels only scored 45 points.
Luke Maye for UNC is a difference maker in every game. The big man at 6-7, 227 pounds averages 19.7 points per game, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.4 3-pointers. Clemson, however, may have a match for that. Donte Grantham averages almost 15 points per game, 5.7 boards, and 1.4 3-pointers.
Clemson has the defensive advantage. UNC’s defense has been in question all year. The Tigers lead the steals department at 110-89 and blocks at 96-76.
The scoring of North Carolina will have to come from depth. Three guys are in double-digits with one just under 10. From there, points come from a diversity of players. Clemson’s next scorer outside the starting five is only averaging 4.2 points per game.
Next: Where do the Tar Heels and Tigers Land in Bracketology?
If the Tar Heels can run and control tempo, they could shoot their way into a victory. Clemson, though, is going to want to slow it down and play their defense. North Carolina is the more experienced team, but Clemson has their defense playing at a high rate. It will come down to who takes over early on.
Prediction: North Carolina 73 Clemson 69