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Posted at 11:25 AM EST.

6:00 PM EST. On the surface, the Tigers are very much on the outside looking in when it comes to punching a ticket to the Big Dance. Clemson has won two straight games, but when you see that they came over the ACC's weakest schools in Pittsburgh and Boston College, we're not sure how much weight those victories will hold in the market. The Tigers are 17-11 and just 7-8 in their conference, which isn't likely going to be enough to endear themselves to the selection committee, but a closer look shows that they are a better team than they are given credit for. KenPom, which uses advanced stats to rank these teams and is a tool we value more greatly than any poll, has Clemson as the 31st ranked team of the 353 Division I schools graded. The Tigers have played a schedule that ranks tougher than many (36th) and they sport a defense that has allowed the third fewest points in the ACC this season at 63.8 points per game. They smothered the Panthers and held them to a 27.3% night shooting. Yes, the Tigers take a big step up in competition, but it's not like the Tar Heels are unbeatable.

North Carolina needs little introduction here, as they are one of the NCAA’s true blue blood programs and it is nearly always at the top of the polls and in the discussion for a run at a national championship. Now, we're not here to take anything away from the #5 team in the country, but after an 11-1 run since their embarrassing 83-62 loss to Louisville on January 11, you are no doubt paying a premium to back UNC. These Tar Heels are not a perfect squad either, as they've lost to Texas, Michigan by 17, Kentucky, Louisville and Virginia. UNC was the betting favorite in all of those games except for the blowout to the Wolverines. The Tar Heels also had recent scares at Miami and Syracuse. They would win those games but not cover. With a season-ending clash with Duke coming up next Saturday, we have to wonder if this upcoming two-game roadie to Clemson and Boston College respectively might be easily overlooked. If that is the case, the signature win the Tigers so desperately need to secure their invitation to the Big Dance could come in this spot.

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