No. 2 Duke Takes 16-Game Winning Streak to Clemson in Key ACC Battle

Duke vs. Clemson: Can the Tigers End the Blue Devils’ Dominance?

The No. 2 Duke Blue Devils (20-2, 12-0 ACC) continue their dominant season on Saturday as they head to Clemson (18-5, 10-2 ACC) in a matchup that could have major implications in the ACC standings.

Duke brings a 16-game winning streak into the game, the longest active streak in the nation. Meanwhile, Clemson is looking to bounce back from a gut-wrenching triple-overtime loss to Georgia Tech earlier this week.

Duke guard Tyrese Proctor credits the team’s tight bond and chemistry for its success:

Clemson has lost some ground in the ACC race but has an opportunity to regain momentum with a statement win against the Blue Devils.

Duke: A Well-Oiled Machine in the ACC

Blue Devils’ Season So Far:

• Current Streak: 16 consecutive wins
• ACC Standings: 1st place
• Last Game: Defeated Syracuse 83-54

Duke continues to steamroll opponents, and Wednesday’s dominant win over Syracuse showcased its depth.

Proctor led the way with 16 points on four three-pointers, and five Duke players scored in double figures.

Head coach Jon Scheyer stressed the importance of staying focused ahead of a tougher road matchup:

Key Players to Watch

• Cooper Flagg (F, Freshman): The future NBA lottery pick has been sensational but took just seven shots in 28 minutes against Syracuse. Expect him to be more aggressive against Clemson.
• Tyrese Proctor (G, Junior): When Proctor makes at least three three-pointers, Duke is 8-1 this season and 21-2 in his career.
• Kyle Filipowski (C, Sophomore): Duke’s most reliable scoring option, averaging 19.2 PPG and 8.6 RPG.

Duke will need to maintain its offensive efficiency and stay locked in defensively to keep rolling through ACC play.

Clemson: Looking to Rebound from Heartbreak

Tigers’ Season So Far:

• Current Streak: Lost last game
• ACC Standings: 3rd place
• Last Game: Lost to Georgia Tech 89-88 (3OT)

Clemson’s triple-overtime loss to Georgia Tech on Tuesday was one of the most exhausting games of the season.

The Tigers have now lost three overtime games this season, a trend that head coach Brad Brownell acknowledged must change:

Key Players to Watch

• Chase Hunter (G, Senior): Clemson’s leading scorer (17.7 PPG) and primary playmaker.
• Ian Schieffelin (F, Junior): Averaging a double-double (12.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG) and coming off a 23-point performance against Georgia Tech.
• Jaeden Zackery (G, Senior): Played more than 50 minutes in the last game and will need fresh legs to keep up with Duke’s speed.

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Clemson’s biggest point of concern? Rebounding.

Georgia Tech grabbed 24 offensive rebounds, leading to 29 second-chance points against the Tigers. That won’t cut it against a team like Duke, which dominates the glass and transition play.

Keys to the Game

Duke Must:

✅ Control the tempo: Clemson thrives in close games, but Duke’s pace and depth could wear them down.
✅ Find Cooper Flagg early: He took only seven shots last game—expect a much bigger role in this one.
✅ Defend the perimeter: Clemson has solid outside shooters that could keep them in the game.

Clemson Must:

✅ Crash the boards: The Tigers must clean up their rebounding issues to avoid giving Duke extra possessions.
✅ Slow the game down: Duke wants to run-and-gun, but Clemson needs to grind it out and keep the pace manageable.
✅ Get Hunter and Schieffelin going: If both play to their potential, Clemson has a shot at the upset.

Game Details

📅 Date: Saturday, February 10, 2024
🕒 Time: 7:00 PM ET
📍 Location: Littlejohn Coliseum, Clemson, SC
📺 TV: ESPN

Will Duke continue its dominance and extend the longest winning streak in college basketball, or can Clemson bounce back and shake up the ACC standings?