ACC Showdown: Predicted Score for Clemson vs. North Carolina Game

Upcoming Clemson vs North Carolina Basketball Game

Clemson’s basketball team is preparing to recover from its second season loss with an upcoming game against long-standing rival, North Carolina, scheduled for Saturday.

Following a 95-82 defeat against Miami on Wednesday night, Clemson coach, Brad Brownell, stated that the team needs to strengthen their defense.

Brownell’s criticism of the team’s defense wasn’t unfounded as the Tigers allowed the Hurricanes to score 60 points in the second half, a record high for a Brownell coached Clemson team.

Clemson’s Track Record vs North Carolina

Clemson, ranked No. 16 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, will step onto the court against No. 9 ranked North Carolina, an opponent they’ve only managed to defeat five times in the past 20 seasons. However, recent games show a closer match-up with Clemson winning three out of their last six games against North Carolina.

What to Expect in Saturday’s Game

The game promises an exhilarating offensive display, with North Carolina averaging 85 points per game, second in the ACC, and Clemson following closely, ranking fourth with an average of 82.23 points per game. The game will also showcase RJ Davis of the Tar Heels and PJ Hall of the Tigers, the top two scorers in the league.

Key Players to Watch

One player Clemson needs to keep in check is Armando Bacot, the ACC Preseason Player of the Year, who has been dominant against the Tigers in the last two seasons. Bacot boasts 43 points in the two games and has made 76.2% of his shots.

Another crucial factor in the game will be the team’s performance from the 3-point line. Both Clemson and North Carolina are among the top five teams in the ACC in terms of 3-point success rate, with Clemson leading with 9.69 3-pointers made per game and North Carolina sitting at fifth place with 7.55.

Predictions for the Game

Clemson 80, North Carolina 77: With a focus on improving their defensive play and the advantage of a home crowd, it’s predicted that Clemson will emerge victorious.

Contact Scott Keepfer for more Clemson athletics news at skeepfer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter, @ScottKeepfer.