On Saturday afternoon, the No. 21 Clemson Tigers (11-4, 1-3 ACC) will host the Boston College Eagles (10-5, 1-3 ACC) at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Despite an incredible start to the season, head coach Brad Brownell’s squad has fallen back down to earth over the last two weeks, where they have suffered three straight losses to conference opponents Miami, North Carolina and Virginia Tech. After their most recent loss to the Hokies, the team is going to need to bounce back as soon as they can if they want to finish as a high seed in the ACC Tournament as well as the NCAA Tournament.
All of these losses have been by 10 points or more as well, as Clemson has been outscored 247-209 across their losing streak. A dominant win over the Eagles would help the team flip the script and get back to winning ways in ACC play.
The Tigers will also look to get the most out of center PJ Hall, who is averaging under 13 points per game across this stretch while averaging 18.9 points per game on the season. Hall has also shot 4-for-18 from three-point range across Clemson’s losing streak, which usually is an incredible weapon in the senior’s arsenal.
“I think PJ has to work a little hard sometimes in terms of fighting for deeper post touches.” Brownell said after the loss to Virginia Tech.
Boston College has had a similar season to the Tigers in terms of success outside of conference play. After a 7-2 start to the season, the only losses that have come are against ACC opponents, such as NC State, Wake Forest and most recently Syracuse. The Eagles are coming off a 69-59 loss to the Orange and are looking for their second in-conference win, like the Tigers.
Perhaps the most exciting matchup will be in the frontcourt, where Boston College’s standout center Quinten Post will face Hall. Post averages 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, where he leads the team in.
The Eagles also have two guards who average double-digits in points. Junior Claudell Harris Jr., a transfer from Charleston Southern, averages 15.6 points while shooting 44.7% from three-point range. Fellow junior guard Jaeden Zackery averages 11.3 points and 4.3 assists per game as well.
Luckily for the Tigers, Boston College gives up the most points per game against ACC opponents, averaging 81 points allowed per game against in-conference opponents. Despite Clemson allowing the third-most points per game with 79.3, every opponent that the Tigers have played have been in the top-9 in terms of total defense. The game should stack up to be a high-scoring affair as both teams are brushing off a loss earlier this week.
Tip-off is at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, and the game will be broadcast on the ACC Network.
