Clemson vs. North Carolina: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More

The ACC season continues on Saturday when the Clemson Tigers travel to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels. 

Clemson enters the game at 13-12, 5-6 in ACC play and unranked. They are tied for seventh in the conference standings.

North Carolina is No. 7 in the country, 22-4 overall and 9-2 in the ACC, which is good enough for a three-way tie with Duke and Florida State. 

Where: Dean E. Smith Center. Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

When: Saturday, Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. EST.

Watch: ESPN. Streamed live at ESPN 3.

Listen

104.9 WCCP-FM in Clemson. Full list of affiliates at ClemsonTigers.com.

WCHL-AM 1360 in Chapel Hill. Full list of affiliates at TarHeelBlue.com

Betting Line

North Carolina (-12.5), according to Betonline.com. 

Clemson just doesn't score enough points to stay with North Carolina. The Tar Heels will open up a nice lead and pull away in the end, picking up a win and cover. 

Key Injuries

Per USA Today.

Clemson has no injuries to report.

North Carolina G Dexter Strickland is out for the season.

North Carolina G Leslie McDonald is out.

What's at Stake?

When Joe Lunardi of ESPN gave his most recent projections, Clemson was out of the tournament. They are also No. 156 in the RPI, so we can't expect to see the Tigers in the NCAA Tournament. Still, if they are going to make it, they need a big win here.

In the same projections from Lunardi, he had North Carolina as a No. 2 seed. That status is not likely in doubt, but if they have hopes of becoming a No. 1, the Tar Heels will need to win this one, probably by a wide margin. 

What They're Saying

Travis Sawchik of the Post and Courier wrote that Clemson changed it's style of play up at the beginning of league play:

"

With his team lacking shot creators and accurate shooters, Clemson coach Brad Brownell made a curious decision at the start of ACC play. Brownell decided to increase tempo, to add possessions to the game.

"

He added that the results have been there for for Tigers, notably in breaking a losing streak to Wake Forest:

"

On Saturday, that philosophy was made more effective as Clemson shot a season-best 58.2 percent from the field, ending a frustrating string of three straight losses by four or fewer points at Wake Forest.  

"

Andrew Carter of the News Observer noted something about UNC's win over Miami that could be a problem for the Tar Heels:

"

Perimeter defense was a problem point for UNC during the first half, when the Hurricanes made five 3-pointers. But the Heels didn't allow Miami the same kind of shooting room during the second half. After going 5-for-14 during the first half, the Hurricanes were just 3-for-9 from 3-point range during the second half.

 

"

Most Important Player to Watch

North Carolina G Kendall Marshall. He averages better than one steal a game. If he forces turnovers and slows Clemson down, this will be a long game and an easy Tar Heel win. 

Key Matchup

Devin Booker vs. Tyler Zeller. 

Booker will have to keep Zeller close in the points. If that happens, Clemson's backcourt has an outside chance of taking the game. But if Zeller dominates the action down low, this will be a blowout.

Prediction: North Carolina 87, Clemson 68

The Tigers just don't have the guns to hang with North Carolina. The Tar Heels are too good and loaded with weapons. This one won't be close. 

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