
Clemson
(+11.5)

Duke
(-11.5)
Highlights
Preview
DURHAM, N.C. (Interstat) — A marquee Atlantic Coast Conference showdown is set for Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium as the Duke Blue Devils host the Clemson Tigers in a pivotal late-season men’s basketball clash. Duke (22-2, 9-2 ACC), whose only loss since November came last week at North Carolina, enters as a heavy favorite. The Blue Devils have been dominant at home, winning by an average of 28.5 points in conference play. They are led by star forward Cameron Boozer, who is averaging 23.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Boozer is coming off a 32-point, 9-rebound performance against Wake Forest and has scored at least 17 points in seven straight contests. Clemson (20-5, 8-4) aims to rebound from a damaging 76-66 home loss to Virginia Tech on Wednesday that snapped a three-game win streak. The Tigers, who have not won at Cameron Indoor since 1995, will lean on guard Ace Buckner. He leads the team in scoring at 15.8 points per game and is coming off a 16-point effort in the loss to the Hokies. Center Carter Welling, who had 19 points and three blocks in that game, provides a critical interior presence. The matchup features a stark contrast in recent momentum. Duke has won 10 of its last 11, while Clemson has dropped two of its last five after a 7-0 start in ACC play. The Tigers’ defense, which allows just 64.2 points per game, will be tested by a Duke offense averaging 79.8 points. Duke is a 11.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under is 133.5. A Clemson victory would represent a signature road win and keep them in contention for a top-tier ACC tournament seed. For Duke, it is a chance to solidify its hold on first place in the conference standings and bolster its case for a seed in the NCAA tournament. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. EST tipoff on ESPN.