Wake Forest @ Clemson preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 3, 2018 ) Clemson 75, Wake Forest 67

Clemson will try to make it back-to-back ACC wins for the first time this season when the Tigers host struggling Wake Forest on Sunday. The Demon Deacons are looking to snap a season-high four-game losing streak and in search of their first road win of the season.

The Tigers lost their first three ACC games and five of their first six before an 82-69 home win over Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Wake Forest was hammered 82-54 by No. 16 Louisville on Wednesday, wrapping up a stretch in which the Demon Deacons played ranked teams in five of their past seven games. The Tigers have won five straight meetings and six in a row at home dating to 2009. Marcquise Reed has been the catalyst in the past three meetings, averaging 21.3 points and 5.3 rebounds against the Demon Deacons.

TV: Noon ET, ESPNU

ABOUT WAKE FOREST (8-12, 1-7 ACC): The Demon Deacons already lacked for offensive weapons, but it has taken a turn for the worse in conference action. They’ve struggled from 3-point range in ACC play, shooting 24.6 percent beyond the arc after hitting 34.5 percent from long range in non-conference action, and only leading scorer Brandon Childress (15.9 points) has continued to knock down outside shots. Freshman big man Jaylen Hoard (14.1 points, 8.1 rebounds) and sophomore guard Chaundee Brown (10.5 points) also average double figures, though Brown’s production has dropped off a bit in conference games.

ABOUT CLEMSON (12-8, 2-5): The Tigers lean on Reed (19.6 points, 5.4 rebounds) at the offensive end, especially with backcourt mate Shelton Mitchell (11.6 points) struggling in ACC play. Big man Elijah Thomas (13.1 points, 7.7 rebounds) is coming off a quiet night against Pittsburgh with four points and six rebounds in 16 minutes, but he is capable of putting up big numbers. The Tigers got some unexpected contributions from the bench against the Panthers, as sophomore guard Clyde Trapp scored a career-high 16 points and forward Javan White posted season highs for points (10) and rebounds (seven) in 16 minutes.

TIP-INS

1. Reed is one of five players in the nation averaging at least 19.5 points, five rebounds, three assists (3.2), and 1.5 steals (1.9).

2. Wake Forest scores 25 percent of its points from the foul line, the second-highest percentage in the nation, averaging 17.6 made free throws per game.

3. The Demon Deacons are 0-8 when allowing at least 80 points and 8-4 when holding opponents under 80.

PREDICTION: Clemson 75, Wake Forest 69