Clemson Basketball: Tigers seek major upset in clash with Kansas

In a tournament with more than its share of upsets, a Kansas defeat at the hands of a hot Clemson basketball team should not surprise anyone if it happens.

TV Schedule: 7:07 p.m. ET on CBS

Location: CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska

The Clemson Tigers cruised past the higher seeded Auburn Tigers in the Round of 32 last Sunday, but will their success translate to the sweet sixteen round in which they are faced with a much more formidable opponent in the Kansas Jayhawks? It will all come down to how well the Tigers can adjust to the way Kansas plays. The Jayhawks are a streaky team. They can go on runs and take over a game in a hurry but can also suffer through extended droughts no matter how inferior the opponent.

On paper, Kansas has more talent than Clemson and should win this game. But there are several factors working in the Tigers’ favor which could be the perfect recipe for an upset no one sees coming. The streaky nature of Kansas is one. Devonte’ Graham, Lagerald Vick, and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk can shoot the lights out when they are on a roll. The backcourt of the Jayhawks can be extremely dangerous.

But lately, they haven’t been able to put together a strong offensive performance for an entire game. Against Penn in the first round, they gave themselves a bit of a first-half scare because they were so cold from the field and they almost surrendered a double-digit lead to Seton Hall due to the same reason.

As for Clemson, they’ve been on a roll shooting the ball, especially from deep. Their defense has led to their offense, which has allowed them to play at the pace they want to, and as a result, the Tigers have gotten to the Sweet 16 a little bit under the radar.

Past results ideally shouldn’t contribute to the result of this game very much. After all, this is the beginning of a new weekend in a new location that is advantageous to the Jayhawks. But the reality of college basketball is that momentum plays a greater role than it often should, and Clemson has the edge when it comes to momentum.

Also, the Jayhawks are coming into this game with all of the expectations. Clemson, on the other hand, is playing with not a whole lot to lose. This is a dangerous setup, especially if the game is tight for longer than Kansas is comfortable with. In this case, the Tigers will only gain confidence while the Jayhawks are more prone to become frustrated.

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The major challenge for Clemson to pull this upset will be rebounding. Kansas center Udoka Azubuike is one of the strongest physical forces in the paint in all of college basketball, and the Tigers aren’t exactly known for having an elite frontcourt. In order to overcome this disadvantage and limit the impact it has on the outcome of the game, the Tigers must battle on the interior as much as possible to ensure that the Jayhawks aren’t able to get many second-chance opportunities. They also need to shoot at a high percentage from the floor to reduce the need to battle for offensive rebounds and second chances of their own.

Getting Azubuike into foul trouble wouldn’t be a bad idea either. Kansas struggles a bit when they don’t have him as their anchor in the middle.

Even though Clemson appears overmatched in this game, these two teams are headed in opposite directions. The Tigers have what it takes to at least compete with Kansas talent-wise, as long as they find a way to compete with the physicality of the Jayhawks.

Next: 16 facts to know for watching the Sweet 16

If this game is close down the stretch, expect Clemson to add to a lengthy list of shocking upsets in thrilling fashion. Prediction: Clemson 71, Kansas 70