North Carolina beat Clemson in their first meeting. The Tigers host the Tar Heels on Tuesday.
Here's what you need to know for Tuesday, Jan. 30:
Game of the night
North Carolina at Clemson, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN: Here’s what’s on the line. If the Tigers have any visions of finishing in second in the ACC they must beat North Carolina. The schedule is too daunting with games against Duke and Florida State to come and road games at Florida State, Virginia Tech still on the horizon. The Tigers are adjusting to life without Donte Grantham. Winning at Georgia Tech was huge after scoring only 36 points against stingy Virginia in the first game without him.
We come in at No. and ranked for the fifth consecutive week.#ClemsonGrit pic.twitter.com/rsBc8cknIB
— Clemson Men's Basketball (@ClemsonMBB) January 29, 2018
The Tar Heels have lost two in a row, including a stinging defeat in overtime to NC State at home. North Carolina got the best of Clemson in the first meeting on Jan. 16, winning 87-79. This should be one intense affair at Clemson.
Back on track
Indiana at Ohio State, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2: The Buckeyes got stung at the buzzer by Penn State and Tony Carr. Ohio State had found ways to win for a month in the Big Ten. You can expect the Buckeyes to do it again by beating Indiana and Illinois at home to set up a first-place showdown with Purdue on Feb. 7. Why? This team has too much experience in key spots to let another opportunity slip.
Back To The Grind #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/2Hm1NZasi8
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) January 28, 2018
Now or never
Florida at Georgia, 7 p.m. ET, SEC Network: The Bulldogs showed flashes early in the season of possibly being an NCAA tournament team. But Georgia has been inconsistent in the SEC and then dropped a Big 12/SEC Challenge game to Kansas State. The Bulldogs have a golden chance to reset the season by hosting second-place Florida. The Gators blitzed Baylor by draining 14 3s over the weekend. Contest and guard the perimeter, Georgia!
"When you care about your team more than you care about yourself, then you have a chance to have a great team. That, men, is the Georgia Way." Chapter 2: The SEC Home Opener.
— Georgia Basketball (@UGABasketball) January 3, 2018
Full video available at: https://t.co/CNU39on65R#CommitToTheG | #RaiseTheFlag pic.twitter.com/eY68ULmCB8
Trae’s world
Baylor at Oklahoma, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2: The Sooners lost at Alabama and Trae Young didn’t lead Oklahoma in scoring. Baylor’s zone defense is looking a bit porous by giving up 14 3s to Florida. Now comes Young. If he can launch his 3s (he doesn’t need much space) then the Sooners should get another superlative effort.
Another Big 12 showdown in our house tomorrow.
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_MBBall) January 29, 2018
start at just $10: https://t.co/BPJWsBYgHs pic.twitter.com/78sLFspvI9
Breakthrough time
Arkansas at Texas A&M, 9 p.m. ET, ESPNU: The Aggies missed out on yet another chance to prove they were tournament worthy, falling at Kansas. Arkansas has been on the cusp of breaking through and is a tough out at home. But the Hogs need another road win to help the cause. The Aggies seem ripe for the picking now. Arkansas got its first SEC road win at Georgia and then outlasted Oklahoma State at home in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. This should be a physical game around the post, but the edge on the perimeter definitely goes to Arkansas.
