Virginia coach impressed with Clemson ahead of huge ACC matchup

With two games remaining in the regular season, Virginia and Clemson are still very much in the thick of the ACC title race.

Both teams are currently a game back but can move into a good spot to win at least a share of the ACC title with a win Tuesday night in Charlottesville.

Pitt currently has a one-game lead with road games remaining at Notre Dame and at Miami later this week.

Tigers coach Brad Brownell spoke Monday about the opportunity his team has at Virginia and what it means to have so much to play for at this point in the season.

“We still have a chance to win the league. That hasn’t happened at Clemson except one other time – maybe 30 years [ago],” Brownell said. “So yea, I think most teams in the league, if you tell them you’re in the last week of the season, playing for a league championship, yea you need a little bit of help but you’re still right there – pretty exciting.”

Clemson is coming off of a 26-point win at NC State on Saturday and has topped 90 points in three of its past four games.

Virginia is one of the better defensive teams in the country, though — although the Cavaliers have dropped back-to-back games.

“We’ve gotta play tremendous basketball against a very good team in Virginia. It’s a big order, but we’re looking forward to playing them,” Brownell said. “They haven’t forgotten how to play. He hasn’t forgotten how to coach, I can tell you that. They’re a terrific team that maybe hasn’t played quite as well or maybe hasn’t had the ball go in.”

Tony Bennett talks Clemson

Virginia coach Tony Bennett has been very impressed with what he has seen from Clemson as he breaks down film ahead of Tuesday night’s game.

“They’re putting the ball in the basket at a high clip in a variety of ways. Not many teams can do what they did, going to a high-quality NC State team and really just from start to finish, be that high level,” Bennett said. “And they did that. And they did it the game before. They’ve been good all year.”

Bennett added that stopping Clemson’s top four scorers in Hunter Tyson, PJ Hall, Chase Hunter and Brevin Galloway will be a tough challenge.

Hall in particular has played really well lately, averaging 20.2 points per game on 65 percent shooting in his past six games.

“He’s a competitor. He’s physical. He’s tough. I’ve always respected that about him – how hard he plays. And just his tenacity,” Bennett said. “He’ll step out and shoot the 3. He’s rugged in the post scoring – goes at the glass and finds different ways. And is an inspired player, wants to see his team win. That matters to him.”

Virginia is a six-point favorite for Tuesday night’s game, which tips off at 7 p.m. on the ACC Network. It is also available to watch online here.

Bennett expects a tough, hard fought game between two of the best teams in the ACC.

“They’re good. They’re very experienced – inside, outside attack. Their guards can play. And PJ Hall is just so good. He can play inside, outside. Hunter Tyson, Galloway, and a number of their players,” Bennett said.

“And they’re physical and athletic. This is a veteran team. Brad has done a heck of a job. And I’m happy for Brad that they’re having such a good year, for sure.”