Clemson contender or pretender? This is critical week

CLEMSON -- If the No. 17 Tigers are to contend for their first ACC title in 20 years this would seem the week to make a move. But they may have to make it without their point guard.

Clemson travels to No. 19 Georgia Tech tonight and hosts Duke on Saturday with Demontez Stitt out indefinitely with a mid-foot sprain.

ESPN's College Game Day crew will be in Clemson for the rematch with the Blue Devils. Clemson was beaten soundly at Duke on Jan. 3, but routed the Blue Devils by 27 points at Littlejohn Coliseum last season.

The Tigers (15-3, 3-1 ACC) are tied with Duke (15-2, 3-1) for second place in the ACC behind Virginia (11-4, 3-0). Georgia Tech (13-4, 2-2) is just a game back and has already defeated North Carolina and Duke this season.

Thumbs up

Clemson

Might this be a different Clemson team? The Tigers entered Raleigh on Saturday, having lost 13 consecutive games following a win against a ranked opponent. That streak came to an end against N.C. State, though Clemson did lose Stitt in the process.

Virginia

Tony Bennett for governor.

The first-year coach has brought a rugged-brand of defense to the ACC, helping the Cavs to their first 3-0 start in ACC play since 1995. Virginia limited Miami to 31.5 percent shooting in Charlottesville on Saturday.

Brothers

The ACC has three sets of brothers in the league this season: Clemson's Trevor and Devin Booker, UNC's Travis and David Wear and Duke's Miles and Mason Plumlee.

Thumbs down

North Carolina

At one point late in UNC's home loss to Georgia Tech, Roy Williams simply buried his face on the scorer's table. The Tar Heels don't lose back-to-back games in the ACC often and the young Tar Heels are now 1-2 early in the conference season. UNC was dealt another blow losing center Tyler Zeller for 4 to 6 weeks with a stress facture in his foot. The 7-footer was one of the most improved players in the ACC, adding 6.5 points to his scoring average.

Road teams

ACC road teams had a better weekend, but are still just 6-16 this season for a 27.2 winning percentage. Last season road team's won 36.5 percent of the time.

N.C. State defending its home court

The exception to the rule above is N.C. State, which is 0-3 at home in ACC play this season.

By the numbers

25.6 -- Points Virginia Tech guard Malcolm Delaney is averaging against ranked opponents (3 games) this season.

54 -- Number of consecutive opponents Florida State has held below 50 percent shooting. FSU's size, including 7-1 center Solomon Alabi, makes an impact, leading the ACC in field goal defense (.350).

90.5 -- Duke guard John Scheyer's free throw percentage, the ACC's best.

He said it

"Roy Williams told me at halftime that the Tar Heels were scared to death and he hadn't seen that from one of his teams," what the North Carolina coach told ESPN's Andy Katz during Clemson's rout of North Carolina last week.

Trav's take

--Kyle Singer's shooting is down from last year, but he might be getting back on track with Sunday night's 21-point, 15-rebound effort against Wake. He remains a first-team All-ACC performer. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said his shooting struggles can be attributed to playing more small forward this season, going against quicker defenders.

--Highly-touted freshmen are struggling across the ACC this season except in Atlanta, where Derrick Favors and Mfon Udofia are two of three ACC freshmen to average better than 10 points per game.

--They're longing for Herb Sendek and Engin Atsur in Raleigh.