Clemson vs #11 Virginia Tech and a look ahead to the ACC tournament
It seems that Clemson has hit their stride within the ACC after a slow start within conference play. Clemson is riding on a three-game win streak, performing well against Pitt, Wake Forest and Georgia Tech. Wednesday, the Tigers strolled into Atlanta and blew out the Yellow Jackets 65-42. Following the Tigers win, the team ranks #2 in the ACC in scoring defense and 21st in the country in defensive efficiency.
With this win, the Tigers are getting closer to a run in the ACC tournament. Last year, all 15 ACC teams participated in the tournament in New York and the teams were seeded by their record within the conference with Virginia holding the first seed and Pittsburg coming in at 15. The teams ranked 10-15 played the first day; teams ranked 5-9 entered on the second day, with teams ranked 1-4 entered on the third day which were the quarterfinals. The semifinals were played on the fourth day and the finals were played on the last day. Last year, Clemson earned a double-by in the tourney and faced Boston College on the third day. The Tigers ended up defeating the Eagles 90-82. The Tigers would go on to face the #1 seed Virginia and would drop that game to the Cavaliers 64-58. In order to keep their tournament hopes alive, Saturday is a must win for Brad Brownell and the Tigers and this matchup will be a test.
The Hokies come in to the matchup ranked #11 nationally and are 5th in the ACC. The Hokies come into this matchup averaging 76.7 points per game, 32.4 rebounds, 16.5 assists per game and are allowing their opponents to score on average 60.8 points. Clemson averages 71.0 points per game, 35.1 rebounds, 12.3 assists per game and are allowing their opponents to score on average 64.6 points.
Virginia Tech on offense
Offensively, Nickeli Alexander-Walker leads the Hokies with the highest amount of points per game. Walker puts up on average, 17.5 points a game. Justin Robinson leads with 5.4 assists per game and P.J. Horne has the highest field goal percentage on the team, shooting at 65.5%
Clemson on offense
Offensively, Marquise Reed leads the Tigers in points per game and assists. Reed puts up on average, 19.1 points and 3.3 assists per game. Elijah Thomas has the highest field goal percentage on the team. Thomas shoots at 65.9%.
Virginia Tech on defense
Defensively, the Hokies are led by Kerry Blackshear Jr. in rebounds and blocks per game, Blackshear averages 6.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game. Nickeli Alexander-Walker averages 2.1 steals per game.
Clemson on defense
The Tigers are lead defensively by Elijah Thomas and Marquise Reed. Thomas leads the team with 7.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game while Reed leads the team with 1.9 steals per game.
The Tigers tipoff with the Hokies 12pm on Saturday.
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