The unique aspect of college basketball as opposed to college football is that, in conference, redemption can usually be achieved in the same season rather than waiting an entire year.

Clemson hosts the Blue Devils who beat them 74-53 earlier this season up at Cameron Indoor Stadium and they get their shot at revenge on Saturday at 9 p.m. at Littlejohn Coliseum.

As we wrote about earlier this season with Duke having to overcome the 27 point margin from last year’s blowout in Littlejohn Coliseum, the Tigers have an uphill battle in this game as they struggled offensively and could not defend the Blue Devils attack. Duke’s pressure shut down any rhythm to the Clemson offense while they pulled away to a comfortable lead in both halves.

Here’s what I see happening in this installment of the budding rivalry:

1) Clemson Pressure Will Be More Effective Than Prior Matchup

Putting on defensive pressure at a home-court environment just works better than on the road. The foul calls are going to come more often on the road with the aggressive press style of defense that Clemson employs while usually at home it becomes more lenient. This was seen evidently last season as not only were the Blue Devils not well equipped to deal with the press, but Clemson was able use a home-court advantage too.

2) Duke Is Better Equipped to Deal With Press Than Last Time in Clemson

As we saw this season already, the Blue Devils have come a long way with their guards like Nolan Smith and Jon Scheyer to deal with the pressure. Duke will not be near as flustered as last season, but there will be as many and probably more than the 15 turnovers that were given up at Cameron in their prior matchup.

3) Game Comes Down to Clemson Guard Demontez Stitt vs. Duke Guards Jon Scheyer/Nolan Smith

Stitt played hurt at Georgia Tech, but did so for 36 minutes and he almost led the Tigers to an ACC road win down the stretch against the Jackets. He is the one guard on Clemson that can effectively drive on the Devils and be able to open up holes in Duke’s pressure. The Tigers’ most important player will be Trevor Booker when it comes to the actual scoring, but Stitt has to be on his game to clinch a victory for the Tigers.

4) Result: Close Clemson Win

Duke has lost every true road game they have played so far, but they have received each team’s best shot–especially from NC State on Wednesday. Duke is the better team, but home environments, especially Clemson, are tough to come out of with a win on the road in the ACC. Clemson will put the pressure on Duke from when they get off the bus which will force missed shots and turnovers that the Tigers will convert on just enough to pull out this key home ACC victory.

Duke/Clemson should be an outstanding game–who do you think will win?

Tags: ACC Basketball, Clemson Tigers, Duke Blue Devils

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