Louisville @ Clemson preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 19, 2017 ) Clemson 60, Louisville 92

Clemson's hot start is carrying over into ACC play, and the team is just beginning to gain some national recognition. The 25th-ranked Tigers will try to stay perfect in conference play and run their overall winning streak to 10 straight when they host Louisville on Saturday.

Clemson had a streak of holding seven straight opponents under 70 points come to an end on Wednesday but managed to hold off Boston College in a 74-70 road victory behind season highs of 23 points and 14 rebounds from Donte Grantham. The senior forward added five assists and a season-high three steals while knocking down 3-of-5 from beyond the arc to help the Tigers earn their first win as a ranked team since 2010. The Cardinals were embarrassed by in-state rival Kentucky to end the non-conference slate on Dec. 29 but bounced back in its ACC opener by trouncing Pittsburgh 77-51 at home on Tuesday. "Well, it's good to go 1-0 in league play, obviously, start the new year in the right direction," Louisville coach David Padgett told reporters. "Glad our guys got back on the winning track from last week, obviously. Happy with the win, but it certainly doesn't get any easier now. We've got to go on the road and play two games against two top-25 teams in very tough environments. So, we're happy with the win, but got to get ready for the next one."

TV: Noon, ET, ACC Network

ABOUT LOUISVILLE (11-3, 1-0 ACC): Senior guard Quentin Snider led the team in scoring with 19 points in the win over Pittsburgh and is averaging 12.4 points on the season. The Cardinals got strong work off the bench from the guard spot as well with Ryan McMahon knocking down all four of his shots in 13 minutes in relief of Snider. "He's experienced," Padgett told reporters of McMahon. "He can play the 1, he can play the 2. He knows what to do. He's been through it. He just has a sense of calm, same kind of thing Quentin (Snider) has, so just having someone you can bring off the bench that's been through it, been on the road and those kind of things is very valuable."

ABOUT CLEMSON (13-1, 2-0): The Tigers are allowing an average of 63.1 points and forced 14 turnovers in the win at Boston College. Junior forward Elijah Thomas anchors the defense while averaging 2.5 blocks and recorded at least four blocks five times during Clemson's nine-game winning streak. Grantham is getting plenty of help on the offensive end with five players averaging double figures in points, led by Marcquise Reed (15.3), who is followed closely by Grantham (15.2) and junior guard Shelton Mitchell (12.4).

TIP-INS

1. Grantham is one of six players in school history to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 assists.

2. Louisville F Deng Adel (15.1) leads the team in scoring and reached double figures in 13 of the first 14 games.

3. The Cardinals breezed past the Tigers 92-60 at home in the lone meeting last season.

PREDICTION: Clemson 69, Louisville 62