Fansided

5 games with March Madness implications: Duke, Clemson, Grand Canyon and more

By Brandon Jefferson

COLUMBIA, MO - DECEMBER 19: Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers reacts from the bench during the game against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at Mizzou Arena on December 19, 2017 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - DECEMBER 19: Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers reacts from the bench during the game against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at Mizzou Arena on December 19, 2017 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – JANUARY 16: Clemson Tigers huddle during a game against the North Carolina Tar Heels on January 16, 2018 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 87-79. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – JANUARY 16: Clemson Tigers huddle during a game against the North Carolina Tar Heels on January 16, 2018 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 87-79. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images) /

5. Duke at Clemson (Feb. 18)

With only a few weeks left in conference play, the Clemson Tigers sit in a tie for second place in the ACC conference standings at 9-4. The team they are tied with, Duke, comes to Littlejohn Coliseum Sunday for a matchup with big NCAA Tournament bracket implications. Both teams are ranked just outside of the top 10 (Clemson No. 11, Duke No. 12) and are in contention to grab a two seed depending on how the remainder of the year plays out. The first step towards securing that spot comes with this game.

For Duke, the Blue Devils have seen a resurgence in senior guard, Grayson Allen’s play over the last two games. The least favorite Blue Devil since J.J. Redick is averaging 24 points per game and looking like the National Player of the Year contender he was projected to be at the onset of the year. However, Allen’s return to form has coincided with stud freshman Marvin Bagley III watching from the sideline as he recovers from a nagging knee injury that has forced him to miss Duke’s games against Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech.

The Blue Devils still have high-caliber freshmen outside of Bagley III with Gary Trent Jr, Wendell Carter Jr, and Trevon Duval. Duke has also gotten necessary contributions from Javin DeLaurier, Alex O’Connell and Marques Bolden. Coach Mike Krzyzewski once again has Duke looking like a potential national championship team. A conference road win in this game not only gives them sole possession of second place in the ACC, but will give them one of the better resumes in college basketball this season.

On the other side, Clemson has been on a tear for the duration of the season. The Tigers have long been the top dogs in the ACC on the football side, but their basketball team has found a way to match. Five different Tigers are averaging 10-plus points per game, one of which — junior guard Shelton Mitchell — will miss this game against Duke after suffering a concussion against Florida State.

If Duke is missing Bagley III again, it’ll be a big boost for Clemson. The Tigers surround center Elijah Thomas with guards and wings and like to use their players’ speed and athleticism to their advantage. Brad Brownell is getting the results in his eighth year as the head coach of Clemson and has the opportunity to take out two blue bloods at home this year after beating North Carolina at home on January 30. Clemson can really make a statement to the selection committee if they are able to win this game.

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