:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53417693/usa_today_9860213.0.jpg)
Clemson (14-13) faces off with Florida State (22-6) tomorrow at noon in Littlejohn, hoping to avenge a nearly 50-point loss earlier in the month.
While the Tigers – despite struggling to walk away with wins – have been able to contend with some of the ACC’s big boys this season, FSU completely outmatched Clemson last time these two teams faced off.
Nevertheless, Clemson has a chance to pull off the upset. Vegas has the game odds listed as a pick and KenPom gives the Tigers a 47% chance of winning, projecting the final score to be 77-76 in favor of the Seminoles.
Florida State started the season hot but has begun to cool down lately. The Seminoles have gone 4-4 over their last eight games. Two of those losses came to Georgia Tech and Pitt.
For Clemson to win the game they will have to find a way to slow down Florida State’s explosive offense. The Seminoles, ranked 20th in the country in offensive efficiency by KenPom, are led by freshman Jonathan Isaac, a projected lottery pick, and sophomore Dwayne Bacon, a projected second-round pick.
Although FSU is not overly reliant on free throws, Clemson can slow the Seminole offense by limiting their chances at the line.
Clemson’s defense allows the fourth lowest free throw rate in the nation, but opponents average 77% from the line the highest in the nation by more than a full percentage point and a half (KenPom).
The Tigers must limit mental mistakes to come away with the win. The Tigers have lost three of their five most recent games on last-minute errors. They will have to stay focused down the stretch to have a chance at coming away with the win.