Clemson’s Defense Driving ACC Title Push Ahead of Virginia Tech Clash
No. 20 Clemson is in the thick of the ACC title race, tied at the top with No.
4 Duke. But before the Tigers can turn their full attention to that marquee showdown, they’ve got business to handle Wednesday night against a Virginia Tech squad still searching for consistency.
Let’s start with what’s been the backbone of Clemson’s success: defense. The Tigers are holding opponents to just 64.1 points per game - good for 11th-best in the country.
That’s not just a stat; it’s a statement. Clemson isn’t winning with flash, they’re grinding teams down with disciplined, connected basketball.
And it’s working - they’ve rattled off four straight wins and sit at 10-1 in conference play, their only blemish an overtime loss to NC State.
Their most recent road trip out west showed exactly what this team is made of. Clemson edged Stanford in a nail-biter last Wednesday before dismantling Cal on Saturday, 77-55.
That Cal game? A defensive clinic.
Clemson held the Bears without a field goal for nearly 13 minutes in the first half. That’s not a typo - nearly 13 minutes.
The Tigers built a 19-point halftime cushion and never looked back.
Head coach Brad Brownell was quick to keep things in perspective postgame.
“We don’t talk about peaking,” Brownell said. “We talk about daily work, daily improvements, and focusing on what we can control… but we’re also trying to enjoy the experience.”
That mindset is showing up on the floor. This is a team that knows who it is - not a roster full of volume scorers, but a group of guys who’ve bought into their roles and the bigger picture.
Brownell has emphasized depth and sacrifice, and it’s paying off. Clemson’s rotation isn’t built around one or two stars carrying the load - it’s about balance and buy-in.
Three players are averaging double figures: RJ Godfrey (11.9), Jestin Porter (10.5), and Carter Welling (10.1). None of them are going to dominate headlines, but together, they give Clemson a steady, reliable scoring core that complements their defensive identity.
And then there’s Ace Buckner. The redshirt freshman - and son of former Clemson standout Greg Buckner - is starting to carve out his own name.
He’s coming off back-to-back strong performances off the bench: 11 points against Stanford, 13 against Cal. Brownell wasn’t surprised.
“He’s an extremely hard worker, he’s extremely competitive,” Brownell said. “His maturity level is probably higher than most guys his age.”
That kind of development from younger players is what separates good teams from great ones in February.
Now comes Virginia Tech, a team that’s been up and down lately. The Hokies have lost three of their last four, including an 82-73 setback at NC State over the weekend. Still, there are some pieces that can give Clemson trouble if they’re not locked in.
Amani Hansberry leads the Hokies in scoring at 15.2 points per game, and freshman guard Neoklis Avdalas - a promising talent from Greece - is putting up 12.6 per outing. Avdalas had 14 against NC State and is starting to find his rhythm from deep after a slow start to the season.
“He looked a little more like himself,” head coach Mike Young said. “If we can get him going along with (Tobi) Lawal, those are good numbers.”
Lawal chipped in 17 points and 15 boards in that game - a double-double that speaks to his ability to impact both ends of the floor.
Clemson will need to stay sharp defensively and continue to lean on its depth to keep the Hokies at bay. The Tigers have won four of the last five meetings between the two programs, and if they want to keep their ACC title hopes on track, they’ll need to make it five out of six.
With Duke looming, this is the kind of game that tests a team’s focus and maturity. But if Clemson continues to play the way it has - defending with purpose, sharing the ball, and trusting the process - they’ll be ready for whatever comes next.