Notre Dame vs. Clemson: College basketball game preview, TV schedule

Notre Dame is just barely hanging on to an at-large bid after a series of losses. Can a win over Clemson finally right the sinking ship?

TV schedule: Saturday, Jan. 20, 4:00 p.m. ET. ESPN

Arena: Little John Coliseum in Clemson, South Carolina

Notre Dame 13-6 (3-3) is on the ropes right now when it comes to the NCAA tournament. In this week’s edition of Busting Bracket’s Bracketology, Notre Dame is an 11 seed and is one of the last four teams in.

If it was done today, the Irish would be on the outside looking in after the loss to Louisville in double-overtime. It’s a heartbreaking result, considering that Matt Farrell had a chance to win the game in both regulation and the first extra period. He had a good game overall with 23 points but still looked like he was getting his legs in.

In Bonzie Colson’s absence, Martinas Geben has played incredible, including versus the Cardinals where he produced 22 points and 17 rebounds, both career-highs. One player far away from a career-high was Rex Pflueger, who shot just 1/8 from the field. With freshman wing DJ Harvey now also out for at least a month, his production is now required, for Notre Dame to be in games.

That starts this Saturday versus Clemson 15-3 (4-2) who is coming off a loss of their own to North Carolina 87-79. This one wasn’t close at first, with the Tar Heels blitzing out to a huge lead. But the Tigers made 11 shots in the row in the second half and got it to a one-possession game towards the end. They seemed to use up most of their energy in the comeback, as Clemson wasn’t able to push through.

The Tigers are a three seed in out latest Bracketology but doesn’t want to make a habit of losing games, especially at home over a now inferior opponent in Notre Dame. Donte Grantham for Clemson had a rough game last time out, going 1/9 from the field.

Next: Clemson and Notre Dame's place in latest ACC Power rankings

I will never pick Notre Dame to get blown out, but I just can’t see them having the firepower to go on the road and beat a very balanced Tigers squad.