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Duke vs. Clemson: College basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Tristan Freeman

CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 16: Head coach Brad Brownell of the Clemson Tigers reacts against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Dean Smith Center on January 16, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - JANUARY 16: Head coach Brad Brownell of the Clemson Tigers reacts against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Dean Smith Center on January 16, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Despite losing the team’s second leading scorer, Clemson hasn’t missed a beat. Will the momentum continue against the Blue Devils?

TV schedule: Sunday, February 18, 1:00 p.m. ET. ACCNetwork

Arena: Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, South Carolina

When Donte Grantham went down for the Tigers a couple of weeks ago, it was thought that Clemson’s 20-5 (9-4) season was all but over. Not necessarily their at-large hopes, but more when it comes to how far they can advance come March.

But they’ve played better than some thought they would, winning four of six and climbing as high as No. 11 in the latest AP poll. Of course that’s likely to fall, after losing to Florida State in overtime, 81-79. Marcquise Reed led all scorers with 23 points. Aamir Simms, whose received most of the starts in Grantham’s absence, had 10 points and two rebounds in 13 minutes played. David Skara played 38 minutes off the bench, chipping in with 11 points and six rebounds.

They’ll be taking on the Duke Blue Devils 21-5 (9-4), who after losing three of four games, have won two straight. The wins itself against both Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech may not have been impressive, but considering that both were played without All-American candidate Marvin Bagley III, whose been dealing with a right knee sprain.

Two players have stepped up in particular this past week. Grayson Allen has finally emerged as top offensive option, averaging 24 ppg in the last couple of games. Wendell Carter Jr. has taken over in the froncourt, averaging 16 ppg and 11.5 rpg since Bagley has been out. As to this point of writing this preview, the star freshman is “questionable” for Sunday’s game.

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This game is all about seeding for the ACC tournament, as Virginia has the No. 1 seed all but locked up. But both of these two teams are tied for second place, with a few more teams right behind them. Add to it that another game with North Carolina is on the way for the Blue Devils, and this one is a must-win. Even without Grantham, the Tigers still have enough defense to pull off this win, which wouldn’t be an upset.

Prediction: Duke 72 – Clemson 76