North Carolina visits Clemson for an ACC matchup on Monday night at Littlejohn Coliseum. The Tar Heels are 14-10 on the season and sit seventh in the conference standings. Clemson is 19-5 and holds second place in the ACC.
North Carolina is coming off a close 67-66 home win against Pitt. Clemson took down No. 2 Duke 77-71 in its last game, snapping the Blue Devils’ 16-game win streak. The Tigers also beat North Carolina earlier this season, winning 80-76 on February 6.
Clemson Preview – Riding Momentum After Big Win
Clemson has been strong at home, holding a 12-2 record at Littlejohn Coliseum. The Tigers have already beaten Kentucky and Duke on their home floor. They look to add North Carolina to that list.
The Tigers shoot 63.4% on two-point shots, showing their efficiency inside. Viktor Lakhin leads the team in scoring after a 22-point effort against Duke. Ian Schieffelin has been a key rebounder with nine double-doubles this season.
Clemson plays well in close games and has an experienced lineup. Chase Hunter adds to the balanced scoring, while the team’s defense limits opponents to 67.3 points per game. They will look to control the pace and take advantage of their home crowd.
One concern for Clemson is the short turnaround between games. They played on Saturday night and must quickly reset for this matchup. Fatigue could play a role, especially against a team that likes to push the tempo.
North Carolina Preview – Seeking Consistency
North Carolina has struggled with consistency this season, sitting at 7-5 in the ACC. They have won some close games, including a one-point victory over Pitt in their last outing. However, they also lost to Clemson just four days ago.
The Tar Heels rely on RJ Davis, who has led them in scoring 11 times this season. He ranks seventh in ACC history with 2,505 career points. The team shot well in their last game but must avoid turnovers, as they committed just six against Pitt.
North Carolina will need strong defensive play to slow down Clemson’s offense. They allow 67.3 points per game, similar to Clemson. This will be a tough road game, as the Tar Heels are just 3-5 away from home.
The Tar Heels’ three-point shooting has been inconsistent, making just 32.7% from deep this season. If they struggle from long range, they will need to attack the basket and get to the free-throw line to stay in the game.
Betting Prediction
Clemson enters as a 5.5-point favorite. The Tigers are 14-10 against the spread, while North Carolina is just 7-16-1. Clemson also has a strong home record, making them the likely winner.
The total is set at 145.5 points. Both teams play solid defense, and the previous meeting saw 156 points. Clemson’s momentum and home-court advantage should lead them to a win and cover.
Pick: Clemson -5.5
Take the Tigers to keep the Tar Heels struggles going.
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