The Clemson Tigers will head up to Charlottesville to face the Virginia Cavaliers in ACC play from the John Paul Jones Arena on the ACC Network. UVA leads the all-time series, 80-52, after winning 12 of the last 13 meetings.
Clemson improved to 21-8 after defeating N.C. State in Raleigh. The Tigers pounced on the Wolfpack early and beat them by 25 points, 96-71. Clemson scores 75.7 points per game, while allowing 68.3 ppg, and shooting 47.2% from the floor.
Clemson boosted their resume with an impressive road win over N.C. State, and they will have the chance to double down in Charlottesville. The Tigers are 13-5 in ACC play, with a 14-1 road record. The front court duo of Hunter Tyson and P.J. Hall has given the Tigers a talented size advantage each time out. Tyson posted a 29-point double-double in the win over Syracuse, and he’s leading the Tigers in scoring (16.5) and rebounding (9.4). Hall has scored 20 points or more in three of the last four games, and he’s second on the team at 15.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg. Senior guard Brevin Galloway went for a career-high 28 points in the win over the Wolfpack, and he’s up to 11.6 ppg.
Virginia fell to 21-6 after losing to North Carolina in Chapel Hill. The Cavaliers trailed the Tar Heels big at the break, and after failing to rally they’d fall by eight, 71-63. UVA is scoring 68.1 points per game, while allowing 60.6 ppg, shooting 45.9% from the floor.
Virginia dropped both games last week, and after falling out of the AP top ten polls, they’ll look to close strong with two games at home. The Cavaliers are 13-5 in ACC play, with a 13-1 home record. Senior forward Jayden Gardner posted a 19-point double-double against UNC last time out, and he’s now averaging 11.6 ppg and 5.4 rpg. Fifth-year starter Kihei Clark led the team with 15 points in their most recent win over Notre Dame, and he’s posting personal-bests in scoring (11.5) and assists (5.7) this season. Fellow senior guard Armaan Franklin leads UVA in scoring at 12.4 ppg after a 23-point performance against Duke.
Clemson is 13-14 against the spread this season, with a 17-10 over/under record. Virginia is 10-14-1 ATS this year, with a 13-12 o/u record.
This Virginia team looks vulnerable, and Clemson has a real chance to hand them their third straight loss. The Cavaliers naturally play better at home, but they haven’t been able to hide their offensive limitations well down the stretch. The Tigers have the firepower in their lineup to make UVA sweat, and potentially leave the mountains with a victory, so I like spotting them the points here. Take Clemson’s spread for this ACC contest.
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
