There's nothing like early afternoon major conference tournament basketball between bad teams. OK, there's a lot like it, but it's during a weekday afternoon, and that's what makes it special. As for this game, we're dealing with two comparable offenses, but Clemson has been the better overall shooting team between the two. The biggest difference is on the defensive end where Clemson is kind of ok and NC State is hideous. The Wolfpack might get hot and make shots to stay in it, but cannot be counted on to get enough stops to cover.

Clemson is finally. healthy and has won four in a row, while NC State looks ready for the season to end. The Wolfpack have covered once in their last 11 games, a win over Georgia Tech. They have two good scorers but play little defense, ranking 315th nationally in defensive efficiency. Eight of NC State's last 10 opponents have shot 50 percent or better. Lay the points.

ACC Tournament action Tuesday from Brooklyn and I'm taking this now because it may only rise. Clemson will have its regular starting five for the first time in more than a month due to injury. Hunter Tyson (10.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg) returned from a month absence in the penultimate game of the regular season and PJ Hall (15.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg) did in the finale after a missing a few weeks. Clemson is on a four-game winning streak as it is. The Wolfpack finished last in the ACC and might fire Coach Kevin Keatts not long after this game if they lose as I expect them to.