Saturday features an ACC showdown of Top 25 teams as the No. 18 Virginia Cavaliers (8-2) take on the No. 12 Clemson Tigers (9-1). Clemson will host this one from Littlejohn Coliseum, with tipoff scheduled for 6 pm ET.
Despite being nationally ranked lower than Clemson, the Cavaliers are actually higher in the ACC ranks with an undefeated 4-0 conference record. They are tied with Louisville for the top spot.
The Cavaliers have won four games in a row, including an 80-68 win over Notre Dame on Wednesday. They will try to keep it rolling against the Tigers on Saturday.
The Tigers have lost just one ACC game, a 66-60 loss to No. 20 Virginia Tech on the road. Since then, they have won four in a row and come into this one looking to give Virginia their first conference loss.
Clemson will look to take advantage of the home game as it is 5-0 this season at Littlejohn Coliseum.
The Clemson Tigers are the slight favorite playing at home. They are -116 to win, while Virginia’s moneyline is -102. The spread features the Tigers as 1.5-point favorites, while the over/under for total points is 117.5.
By The Numbers
Offensively, Virginia holds the edge in scoring. The Cavaliers rank 133rd in the country, averaging 72.4 points per game. Clemson falls to 215th, averaging 68.3 points per game.
While both may be just average on offense, both of these teams are elite on defense. Clemson currently ranks fourth in scoring defense, allowing just 57.6 points per game to opponents. Virginia also ranks in the top 10 at ninth overall, allowing just 60.3 points per game.
Virginia Looks For Road Upset
Despite being upset by San Francisco (61-60) early in the season and being blown out by No. 1 Gonzaga (98-75), Virginia has shown the potential to be one of the best in the country. On Saturday, they will try to further prove this by taking out No. 12 Clemson on the road.
While Virginia is mostly known for its defense, the Cavaliers do have four starters averaging in double digits. Leading the way is forward Sam Hauser, who has averaged 13.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
Other major contributors include Jay Huff (12.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks), Trey Murphy III (10.9 points), and Kihei Clark (10.8 points, 3.6 assists).
Clemson Hoping To Knock Off Conference Foe
After losing to Virginia Tech earlier in the season, Clemson is hoping to not lose any more ground in the ACC standings and knock off the 4-0 Cavaliers.
To do so, the Tigers will need to get it done on defense, as their offense has been pretty inconsistent to this point. In fact, 10 games in, they only have two players averaging in double digits.
Aamir Simms leads the way with 12.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals. The only other double-digit scorer is Nick Honor, who is averaging 10.7 points, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals.
Others chipping in for the Tigers include Al-Amir Dawes (9.7 points, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals) and Clyde Trapp (7.3 points, 5.1 rebounds).
Taking Virginia To Win
If you are a fan of defense and low-scoring games, this is probably going to be the game for you. Both of these teams are in the upper echelon of defense, while neither is particularly dominant on offense.
Still, as unspectacular as both of them are, Virginia is still a little more efficient offensively than Clemson, and that could be the difference. Especially being spotted 1.5 points, I am taking Virginia and the points in this one.
