Clemson at Illinois

The ACC/BIG-10 Challenge gets a pair of unbeaten teams meeting at Assembly Hall in Champaign, ILL tonight. The Tigers have been impressive early, and are scoring 81 points per game, and have had their way with most teams offensively. The Illini present a different challenge, one that will take the Tigers out of their game as they employ a deliberate half-court set and tenacious defense. The Illini are allowing just 37.3% shooting against them, which has long been their trademark, and no team has put up more than 64 on them yet this season. Illinois had a rare down season last year, but progress was evident as they won five of their last seven, including an upset over Purdue to reach the Big-10 Championship game. Clemson has yet to play in a hostile environment this season, and their only true road game came against Charlotte with a narrow one-point escape. The Tigers may get frustrated here as they will want to run and force some shots, which plays right into the Illini strength. I like the Illini at home where they are always a tough out.