No. 11 Clemson will attempt to tie the program’s record for regular-season victories when it faces Boston College on Wednesday in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
The Tigers (24-5, 16-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) collected their latest victory on Saturday when they overcame a 10-point deficit and extended their winning streak to six games by beating host Virginia 71-58. The 1986-87 Clemson team finished the regular season with a 25-6 record.
The Tigers beat Virginia despite shooting 1 of 10 on 3-point attempts.
“That’s why we’re having a good season is we’ve won a lot of different ways,” Clemson coach Brad Brownell said. “We’ve won a couple games where we’ve had to score it inside or score it from two, and obviously we’ve had games where we make 14 3s. Usually we’re a good 3-point shooting team.
“That’s part of what makes us good is we can do both. Some teams have trouble with that.”
Following Wednesday’s contest, Clemson will conclude its regular-season schedule with a home game against Virginia Tech on Saturday.
Boston College (12-17, 4-14) was eliminated from ACC tournament contention following Saturday’s 82-71 loss to Cal. Fifteen of the 18 teams in the ACC advance to the conference tournament.
The Eagles rank 15th among ACC teams in scoring offense (70.6 ppg) and 14th in scoring defense (75.1), but BC coach Earl Grant said nothing has prevented BC from winning this season more than turnovers. The Eagles are averaging 12.0 turnovers per game and rank 16th among ACC teams in turnover margin (-1.38).
“We just can’t turn it over,” Grant said. “Take good shots and take care of the basketball.”
BC enters Wednesday’s matchup on a two-game losing streak, but the Eagles are 9-7 in home games this season.
Donald Hand Jr. is averaging a team-high 16.3 points per game, and is also the Eagles’ leading rebounder (6.2). Chad Venning, a 6-foot-9, 270-pound forward, is the only other BC player scoring in double figures (12.5).
“(Venning) has been a big part of our offense,” Grant said. “We really try to get him the ball. He’s been really good for us. He’s a really good player in this league in terms of his field-goal percentage and his ability to score around the basket.”
BC will wrap up the regular season Saturday with a game at Pittsburgh.
Clemson is fifth among ACC teams in scoring offense (77.4) and second in scoring defense (66.2). Four Clemson players are averaging at least 11 points per contest: Chase Hunter (16.3), Ian Schieffelin (13.1), Viktor Lakhin (11.5) and Jaeden Zackery (11.0). Schieffelin is the ACC’s No. 3 rebounder (9.5). Zackery, who transferred to Clemson from BC following last season, has started in each of Clemson’s 29 games.
Clemson has played well away from home this season. The Tigers are 8-3 in road games, and 2-0 in games played on a neutral court.
“Having an older group, there’s no question that that’s part of why we’re doing so well on the road,” Brownell said. “The guys are excited about these challenges. They’ve been in these types of buildings.”
–Field Level Media
