USA Today via Reuters
Dec 12, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers guard John Newman III (15) passes to forward PJ Hall (24) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of a Holiday Hoopsgiving game at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 12, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers guard John Newman III (15) passes to forward PJ Hall (24) against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of a Holiday Hoopsgiving game at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Men’s Basketball action will continue when the Florida State Seminoles, the number 18th ranked team in the country, take on the Clemson Tigers. Both teams have had strong runs up until now this season. While one team is ranked, the other team is a statement win away from entering that conversation themselves.
Clemson joined 2013 Florida State as the only ACC teams ever to score 34 or more points in each of the first 11 games of a season.
— TigerNet.com (@ClemsonTigerNet) December 28, 2020
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The Clemson Tigers have had a tricky schedule. While they have only faced one ranked opponent (Virginia Tech, lost), they have faced most of the solid un-ranked teams. This includes the likes of Maryland, Alabama, and Purdue. However, a win over the Seminoles will do wonders in establishing them in the conversation for the Top 25.
The Seminoles are still yet to face ranked opposition, but have done well against each opponent so far. They lost a rivalry match to the University of Central Florida, but have won every other game. Can they win this one?
NCAA Men’s Basketball: The Tigers pull one out of the bag?
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While the Seminoles are definitely the better team, the Tigers stand a good chance of upsetting them, especially after all the upsets we saw in basketball and college basketball in the last week. The Seminoles also have a big clash against the Duke Blue Devils coming up. The slate is filling up fast.
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 12, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Clemson Tigers forward Aamir Simms (25) dunks against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half of a Holiday Hoopsgiving game at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The Seminoles will start the game with RaiQuan Gray, Balsa Koprivica, Anthony Polite, Scottie Barnes, and M.J. Walker. The Tigers will have Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Aamir Simms, Clyde Trapp, Al-Amir Dawes, and Chase Hunter on the floor.
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Considering how the ACC has shaken out this year, with teams like Duke, UNC Tar Heels, and Kentucky all under-performing, the Seminoles can establish themselves as the best team here. However, the Tigers also want in on that window of opportunity. Both teams are coming off a week’s rest and will have a close matchup.
For our pick, we have the Tigers. They have home-court advantage and have shown stellar defense this season. They should be able to have enough firepower going forward (despite it being a little inconsistent) to pull this win off.
