Coming off of a hard-fought battle that ended in a defeat to then-No. 12 Duke, the Clemson Tigers (13-6, 3-5 ACC) are ready for redemption on their home court, as they are set to face the Louisville Cardinals in Littlejohn Coliseum on Tuesday night.
Coming off of a tough loss versus the Blue Devils, Clemson’s leading scorer, PJ Hall, will be key in leading his team to victory. The 6-foot-10 standout center has been a consistent force on the hardwood this season, averaging 19.6 points per game.
Previously against Duke, with just seconds left on the clock, Hall sank both his shots from the line to place the Tigers up one, 71-70. Although it didn’t lead to a win, Hall led Clemson in points against the Blue Devils with 19, setting him up for another high-scoring performance on Tuesday.
Joining Hall in the starting five will be graduate guard Joseph Girard III, who has been crucial for Clemson’s success. Leading the team in assists, averaging 3.3 a game, as well as 14.8 points per game, Girard will play a pivotal role in dictating the pace of the game and providing the Tigers with the edge they need.
On the other side of the court, the Cardinals (6-14, 1-8 ACC) are on a five-game losing streak and are looking for their second ACC win of the year.
Louisville sophomore guard Mike James leads the team in points with an average of 13.7 per game in addition to 5.3 rebounds. Clemson’s defense will also need to be on high alert to contain guard Skyy Clark, who averages 13.2 points per game.
Tipoff between the two in-conference foes is set for 9 p.m. on Tuesday.
