Men’s Basketball Preview: Boston College vs. Clemson

Boston College arrives home from their trip to Charlottesville empty-handed but not for lack of effort. The Eagles made a valiant attempt at the season sweep but it wasn’t enough to upend the Cavaliers. The Eagles come home to Conte to face a Clemson team that like BC has had its ups and downs this season.

When

February 22nd, 2020

6:00 pm est

Where

Silvio Conte Forum

Chestnut Hill, MA

How to Watch

The game is going to be broadcast on the ACC Network, which can be found on channel 612 for DirecTV, 402 for Dish Network, 388 for Spectrum, and for Verizon Fios channel is 329 for standard definition and channel 829 for high-def.

The game will also be available to those subscribed to the ACC Network via the ESPN app.

Furthermore, the ACC Network is available to those with subscriptions to Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or Sling TV.

You can also find a TV provider with ACC Network by going on GetACC.com

How to Listen

WEEI 850 AM

Previewing the Tigers

Clemson is a team that resembles BC in a lot of ways. They are only a game and a half ahead of BC in the conference standings. Like BC, the Tigers have two upset victories, albeit against Duke and Louisville as opposed to NC State and Virginia. However, they are still only 7-8 in conference. The Tigers have the 12th ranked offense in the ACC scoring 66.5 points per game, shooting 42.3% from the field and 32.1% from three, both averages are only 10th best in the conference. Overall, they are a very much middle of the pack team both statistically (in fact they are near the bottom in some categories) and record wise. In both upsets of Duke and Louisville the Tigers shot over 50%, not something they can replicate on a night in and night out basis. Both games were also at home and Clemson has to come to Conte. The Tigers make a very even match-up for the Eagles, even if their stats might be a tad better.

Player to Watch

Aamir Simms. This was an easy choice considering that the junior forward leads the Tigers in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks. Simms is shooting 45.1% from the field and 38.6% from beyond the arc. The leading scorer in Clemson’s upset of Duke, Simms will is the #1 guy BC needs to stop.

BC’s Best Chance to Win

Pick the Tigers’ pockets. BC is 3rd in the ACC in steals and those turnovers can do two things for the Eagles: get easy transition buckets and build momentum. The Eagles have struggled with shooting the ball consistently throughout the season so the more easy baskets they can get the better. BC also feeds off momentum. The Eagles need confidence in order to be at their best and once that confidence falters they are rarely able to regain it. Clemson is committing the 9th most turnovers in the ACC and the Eagles will need to pray off that weakness.

Score Predictions

BC 75 / Clemson 68