The Clemson Tigers (26-5, 18-2) are set to begin their ACC Tournament journey with a challenging matchup against the explosive SMU Mustangs (23-9, 13-7) in the quarterfinals. After finishing second in the conference standings behind Duke (29-3, 19-1), the Tigers earned the tournament’s third seed due to tiebreaker rules favoring the Louisville Cardinals (25-6, 18-2). Now, Clemson looks to continue its winning streak and push for a championship run.
Momentum Heading into the Tournament
Clemson enters the tournament in top form, riding an impressive eight-game winning streak. The team dominated in conference play and will aim to extend that success in Thursday’s clash against SMU. The Mustangs, who finished fourth in the ACC standings, advanced to the quarterfinals after a hard-fought victory over Syracuse on Wednesday.
These two teams faced off in the regular season on February 22, with Clemson securing a 79-69 road victory. Now, they meet again on neutral ground, where both sides will be battling for a spot in the semifinals.
Key Players to Watch
For Clemson, standout performances will be crucial in maintaining their momentum. Ian Schieffelin has been a dominant presence, averaging 12.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Viktor Lakhin has stepped up in recent outings, averaging 14.6 points over the last 10 games, while Chase Hunter continues to lead the Tigers’ offensive efforts with 16.0 points per game, including a 17-point performance against SMU in their previous encounter.
Defensively, Clemson has been one of the most formidable teams in the conference. Over their last 10 games, the Tigers have allowed an average of just 64.0 points per game, making them a tough challenge for SMU’s high-scoring offense.
On the other side, the Mustangs will need their top scorers to deliver a standout performance to pull off an upset. Their ability to break through Clemson’s stout defense will be a deciding factor in this high-stakes matchup.
History in the Making
With 26 wins already secured, the Tigers have matched their program record for most victories in a single season, a mark originally set in 1989-90. A win over SMU would set a new milestone with 27 wins, further solidifying Clemson’s status as a powerhouse in the ACC.
Beyond the conference tournament, Clemson has its sights set on a deep NCAA Tournament run. Last year, the Tigers’ journey ended in the Elite Eight, and they are determined to push further this season.
As the action unfolds, all eyes will be on Clemson to see if they can take another step toward ACC glory and set the stage for a potential historic postseason run.
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