CLEMSON – College basketball normally doesn’t enter conference play until the new year, but the modern schedules present some curveballs. Clemson is no exception, and it’s a matchup with ACC opponent Pittsburgh on the road set for Sunday afternoon.

It’s a different feel from a non-conference game, and the Tigers have to switch gears quickly as it’s just six games into the season. Head coach Brad Brownell detailed the value of this meeting Friday, and how Clemson is adjusting accordingly.

“I think it’s a big game. You know obviously it’s a road game against a good team that, you know, these games are different because they are so far ahead. You have to flip your gears a little bit and flip the switch,” Brownell said.

Last season, the Tigers were impressive in ACC games, going 14-6 in the conference and finishing fourth. It was a strong mark, and Clemson has the chance to top it this year. Coming off a big win over No. 23 Alabama, complacency can’t arise and Brownell was very emphatic about it.

“Hey guys, like this is a conference game. If you want to finish at the top of the league, they’re all really important. That’s why we talked yesterday about ‘you’ve got to get past the Alabama win.’ That’s the hardest thing in sports, complacency. Human nature is to for the last 24 hours after the game, we all got great text messages and pats on the back and all that and that’s great for 24 hours but after that, you better move on,” Brownell said.

The words from the Clemson coach make it very clear that avoiding a hangover is in the mind of this team heading up north. Pittsburgh is 5-2 and it’s also their first tease at ACC play.

The Panthers are led by senior forward Blake Hinson. He’s become a household name after two years at Ole Miss and leads Pittsburgh with 19.6 points per game and 4.7 rebounds.

The seven-foot Guillermo Diaz Graham also presents a challenge and odd matchup for Clemson’s leading scorer, PJ Hall. Add in another hostile environment and the Tigers have their work cut out for them.

“We have to go back on the road and it’s going to be a hard environment and they lost their last game and it’s the first conference game for them. They’re going to want to hold serve at home…it’s going to be a very competitive game and if we don’t play really well, we won’t win so we’ve got to approach that appropriately” Brownell said.

Clemson takes on Pittsburgh  in the Petersen Events Center at 2 p.m. Sunday, televised on the ACC Network as the Tigers look to stay undefeated.