Duke, ranked No. 2, aims for its 17th consecutive road victory as they face Clemson, a formidable opponent in the ACC. This matchup promises to be a thrilling test for both teams. Duke's head coach Jon Scheyer recognizes the challenge of playing against a veteran squad like Clemson, known for its strategic play. Clemson's coach Brad Brownell prepares his team, especially emphasizing the importance of center Viktor Lakhin staying out of foul trouble. Watch out for Chauncey Wiggins, a dynamic 6-foot-10 player capable of impactful 3-point shooting. In this game, I’ll be keeping an eye on Duke's rebounding stats and Clemson's shooting percentages. Despite facing strong competition, I believe Duke will edge out a narrow win at Littlejohn Coliseum. This matchup is particularly complex for the Blue Devils, who are yet to face a similarly sized team in ACC action. Key players like Ian Schieffelin, Wiggins, and Lakhin not only challenge Duke’s Cooper Flagg but also play a vital role in protecting the basket. Meanwhile, the performance of likely All-ACC guard Chase Hunter will be crucial for Clemson's success against Duke’s solid backcourt. Ultimately, I foresee a tightly contested game, leaning in favor of Duke. While Clemson's roster has impressive senior leadership with Schieffelin and Hunter, and a growing sense of urgency after a tough loss to Georgia Tech, Duke’s strength and defensive strategies should prevail. This will be a defining game for both teams in ACC standings, with Clemson wanting to prove themselves against a rival that's been dominant in recent seasons. However, the depth and talent on Duke, combined with their ability to adapt to game situations, might just be too much for the Tigers to handle this time. Expect a fierce battle; this game could be a significant turning point for both teams in the conference.
