Busting Brackets
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ACC basketball: Power ranking the league down the stretch

By Michael Walton

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - January 31: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts to a call in the first half during a game against the Louisville Cardinals at John Paul Jones Arena on January 31, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - January 31: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts to a call in the first half during a game against the Louisville Cardinals at John Paul Jones Arena on January 31, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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Clemson is going to have a lot riding on their match-up today with Duke. The two teams are tied at 9-4 in the ACC standings. The Tigers had ridden their great defense to a four-game winning streak before their two-point overtime loss at Florida State. Despite being a defense-first team, guards Gabe DeVoe and Shelton Mitchell can fill it up in a hurry.

The Tigers (January 30th) win against North Carolina was impressive because they survived a 50-point second half from the Tar Heels. Junior guard Marcquise Reed had 20 pts, 5 asts, 8 reb against UNC, and he has scored 20 or more points in three of his last five games.

Clemson had no such luck against Florida State, who came back from 18-points down to secure the upset. Turnovers have not been a huge issue for them for most of the season. But their 21 turnovers against the Seminoles shut the door on any chance of them holding on to their lead. They can not be careless with the ball heading into their next match-up with an explosive Virginia Tech team. Their 13 turnovers against Duke last Sunday weren’t as bad as their disadvantage at the free  throw line. The Blue Devils had a +14 advantage from the free throw line.

Despite playing solid defense, Clemson couldn’t keep Grayson Allen or Wendell Carter Jr. off the french throw line, and the two combined for 16 of Duke’s 26 free throws. The Tigers have no easy games left on the schedule, besides a home against Georgia Tech on February 24th.

This week: Wednesday at Virginia Tech (A) – Saturday vs Georgia Tech (H)