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No. 19 UNC visits Clemson Saturday night
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Published: 1/3/2015  at  4:51:00 AM
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NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS (10-3)

at CLEMSON TIGERS (8-4)

Littlejohn Coliseum - Clemson, SC
Tip-off: Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Line: North Carolina -7.5, Total: 133.5

No. 19 North Carolina looks to start off ACC play on a positive note when it visits Clemson on Saturday night.

The Tar Heels (9-4 ATS) are starting to show some of the potential that had people predicting a run to the Final Four. North Carolina has covered the spread in its past four games, winning by an average 21.0 PPG during this surge. That's a good sign for bettors, as the Heels are 28-12 ATS (70%) after 4+ straight ATS wins under head coach Roy Williams. These teams met only once last season, with North Carolina winning easily, 80-61, and outshooting its opponent 55% FG to 34% FG. Although the school is 57-0 all-time against Clemson in Chapel Hill, and is 16-1 SU in the past 17 meetings overall, the matchups in South Carolina have been much closer, with the Tigers going 6-7 ATS (5-8 SU) when hosting in this series since 1997. This will be the second game for Clemson (4-4 ATS) against a top-25 team, after the club beat then-No. 18 Arkansas, 68-65. The Tigers also have some NCAA Tournament resume-building victories against Auburn and LSU. Clemson has been in many close games this season, as nine of the team’s 13 games have been decided by 10 points or less. The Tigers are also 32-15 ATS (68%) at home after failing to cover the spread in 2+ straight games since 1997. While Clemson enters this contest injury-free, the Tar Heels could be without PF Kennedy Meeks (illness), and will likely be missing SG Stillman White (illness).

Will North Carolina roll to another victory over Clemson? For the latest college basketball picks, check out The Platinum Sheet for all the StatFox Experts selections every week throughout the entire 2013-14 season. The experts have caught fire since Dec. 23, combining for a 63% ATS mark (25-15) in college basketball Best Bets. StatFox Gary is 7-1 ATS during this timeframe to improve to 66% ATS (25-13) for the season, while StatFox Scott is also on a 7-1 ATS Best Bets run since Dec. 23. StatFox Zach and StatFox Brian are both 53% ATS (20-18) on college hoops Best Bets this season.

The Tar Heels have excelled in many different categories, ranking 2nd in the nation in rebounding (44.9 RPG), 4th in assists (18.2 APG), 16th in scoring (81.3 PPG) and 80th in shooting (46.0% FG). The defense has also been adequate (65.0 PPG allowed, 150th in nation) thanks to 5.1 BPG (42nd in NCAA) and 7.8 SPG (75th in nation). North Carolina has a ton of players that play above the rim, which is a big reason why the Tar Heels rebound so well. Sophomore PF Kennedy Meeks (12.8 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 1.6 BPG) is starting to emerge as a star in the frontcourt, using his athleticism to get a lot of easy baskets. Should Meeks sit out Saturday, his ability to run the floor would be missed, especially by PG Marcus Paige (13.6 PPG, 3.8 APG and 1.2 SPG), who is one of the best passing guards in college basketball. Paige has struggled with his shot (36% FG), but he has still scored in double-figures in three straight games. Right now, UNC is starting to play some great basketball, but if Paige can get things going like he is capable of, then the Tar Heels will have the ability to play with any team. Junior PF Brice Johnson (11.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG) has also picked up his offensive game with 12.7 PPG on 68% FG with 8.0 RPG in his past three contests.

Clemson is going to have to be great on the glass to get the victory, but the school ranks 82nd in the nation in rebounding (37.6 RPG), which is the team's biggest offensive strength on the season. The Tigers also rank 173rd in shooting (43.7% FG), 213th in scoring (66.5 PPG) and 282nd in assists (11.1 APG). PF Jaron Blossomgame (13.7 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 47 % FG) averaged only 4.9 PPG last season as a freshman, but he has taken his game to the next level this year. He is not going to overpower his opponents down low, but he is a skilled post player who has the ability to take over a game. He is becoming more difficult to stop from scoring, as he is improving from the free throw line, making 22-of-27 FT in his past four games. SG Damarcus Harrison (11.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 37% threes) and SF Donte Grantham (10.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.4 BPG) are two more players who are continuing to improve, and ones that Clemson will have to get a big game out of to get the victory against North Carolina. Another key to look out for is the perimeter shooting of Clemson (28.6% threes), something the team has really struggled doing this season. The defense allows only 61.7 PPG (89th in nation), and that unit will have to force some turnovers and get some easy baskets to give the team a chance. The Tigers do a great job of contesting shots with 5.6 blocks per game (25th in NCAA).


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