No better time for a strong win for the NCAA Tournament resume than coming off of back-to-back losses for the Clemson Tigers.

Head coach Brad Brownell emphasized how this program gets no favors from the ACC when the schedules are crafted, and that continues with a trip to Blacksburg to take on Virginia Tech. This is another team that’s hungry for a win, mirroring Clemson’s mishaps.

Both teams played an early conference game, got the victory and now have started the real ACC slate 0-2. Something’s got to give Wednesday night and the Tigers have to prove something here. Road games have treated Clemson well with wins at Pittsburgh and Alabama. The Hokies also match up well for Brownell’s team.

Virginia Tech is led by former Clemson Tiger Lynn Kidd, who is averaging 15.3 points and 7.7 rebounds on 65.9 percent shooting. Behind him is a pair of strong shooters in Hunter Cattoor and Sean Pedulla. Considering how the Tigers limited the Tar Heels to 41.7 percent shooting, it’s hard to think it can’t be replicated. Limit the shooting of Cattoor and there’s the window.

The real issue comes on the offensive side. Was 36.2 percent as a team and 5-23 from PJ Hall and Joseph Girard combined a fluke? There’s little ways to win in the ACC if your best players aren’t up to par. Hall’s back-to-back foul outs also bring some extra concern with a challenging Kidd matchup.

Complacency was evident as the Tigers made the first post entry look easy against North Carolina and struggled to replicate it. Get the ball to your star and fast. Let’s avoid the discussion about the Miami mishaps as to hope that never returns.

Both sides of the ball for Virginia Tech rank outside of the top 60 according to KenPom and all signs point to a run-starter for the Tigers. And yet, it’s hard to be optimistic coming into an atmosphere like Cassell Coliseum. Start fast, and Clemson can walk out with a Quad win. Fall back on the issues from before, and the Tigers could be staring at a 1-3 ACC record.