UNC Asheville @ Clemson preview

N.C. Asheville at Clemson

Clemson looks to continue its best start in four years when the Tigers host UNC Asheville on Sunday. The Tigers aim to remain undefeated at home, while the Bulldogs hope for their fifth straight victory and a signature win over a Power Five program.

Clemson’s lone setback was a 67-60 loss to Temple in the championship game of the Gildan Charleston Classic last month. The Tigers have bounced back with back-to-back wins, and they erased a halftime deficit to claim a 79-65 victory at Ohio State on Wednesday. The Bulldogs have won four straight since a 79-76 loss at Vanderbilt and are coming off an 82-70 victory over USC Upstate. Clemson has won all seven previous meetings by an average of 25.1 points.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, ACC Network Extra

ABOUT UNC ASHEVILLE (5-2): The Bulldogs start only one player – 6-7 forward Alex Wnuk (6.6 points, 2.3 rebounds) – who stands taller than 6-3, which could pose a problem against a strong Clemson frontcourt. They’ve been able to offset their size disadvantage early in the season by shooting 47.3 percent from 3-point range – second-best in the nation through Friday – with leading scorer MaCio Teague (15.7 points, 4.1 assists) going 20-of-39 from outside the arc. Backcourt mates Ahmad Thomas (14 points, 6.6 rebounds) and Kevin Vannatta (13.6 points) also average double digits.

ABOUT CLEMSON (6-1): The Tigers are getting production everywhere on the court, as all five starters average double-digit scoring. Forward Donte Grantham (15.3 points, six rebounds) leads the way, but guards Marcquise Reed (13.1 points, 5.6 rebounds) and Shelton Mitchell (12.9 points, 4.9 assists) are scoring at a solid rate. Center Elijah Thomas (12.7 points, nine rebounds) has been unstoppable in the paint, shooting 70 percent from the field.

TIP-INS

1. Clemson ranks 25th in the nation through Friday averaging 1.026 points per possession.

2. Grantham is shooting 81.6 percent on two-point field goal attempts.

3. The Bulldogs are playing the third of four straight opponents from the Palmetto State after defeating Wofford (85-65) and USC Upstate (82-70) and with a trip to Furman on Tuesday.

PREDICTION: Clemson 77, UNC Asheville 68