Virginia Tech @ Clemson preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 21, 2018 ) Clemson 58, Virginia Tech 65

Virginia Tech looks to rebound from an early-week loss when it visits surging Clemson on Saturday afternoon. The 10th-ranked Hokies were handled at home by No. 17 Louisville on Monday, while the Tigers are riding a three-game winning streak after downing Georgia Tech on Wednesday.

Playing without second-leading scorer Justin Robinson and reserve forward P.J. Horne, Virginia Tech ran out of gas in the second half, committing 10 turnovers as Louisville pulled away. "I thought we hung in there pretty good tonight. We just had too many turnovers in the second half relative to what gives us our best chance to win," coach Buzz Williams told the media after the 72-64 loss. Clemson took control early on Wednesday, jumping out to a 29-12 lead in the first half en route to the 65-42 blowout win over the Yellow Jackets. "Defensively, we were very locked in and played with great energy. The activity level was high. I don't think we gave them anything easy," coach Brad Brownell told reporters after the win. "Just a well-played game by my team."

TV: Noon ET, ESPN2

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (18-4, 7-3 ACC): The five-day layoff should do wonders for the Hokies as Williams was forced to use guards Wabissa Bede, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Ahmed Hill for 40 minutes last Saturday before each player logged at least 38 minutes on Monday. Junior forward Kenny Blackshear Jr. led the Hokies in scoring against the Cardinals with 21 on 6-of-13 shooting while playing 39 minutes. Virginia Tech would like to improve on its rebounding against Clemson after Louisville had a 30-25 edge in rebounding, including 10-5 on the offensive glass.

ABOUT CLEMSON (14-8, 4-5): The Tigers held Georgia Tech to just 30.2 percent shooting from the floor and 33.3 percent from long range while also forcing 16 turnovers. Leading scorer Marcquise Reed (19.1 points) led the way, pouring in 19 on 9-of-16 shooting while adding three steals. David Skara and Aamir Simms each added 13 points as Clemson shot 49.1 percent from the floor, although the Tigers would undoubtedly like to improve on their free-throw shooting against the Hokies after going 5-of-10 from the stripe Wednesday.

TIP-INS

1. Virginia Tech leads the all-time series 19-15 and has won the last four meetings.

2. Saturday will mark the end of a four-game stretch in which the Hokies have played three on the road.

3. Tigers F Elijah Thomas ranks second in the ACC in field-goal percentage at 65.9.

PREDICTION: Virginia Tech 73, Clemson 69