North Carolina has gone through a bumpy national title defense, most of its struggles coming during the ACC season.
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"We should be better than 5-4 in the ACC," North Carolina wing Cameron Johnson said.
The Tar Heels (16-6) have a chance to get back on track this week.
Chapel Hill Clemson #CarolinaSZN pic.twitter.com/iGn3kJ1FBg
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) January 30, 2018
First up is Tuesday against No. 20 Clemson, a team they beat 87-79 on Jan. 16. That's followed by North Carolina's first game against Pittsburgh this season.
The key in those games: Defense.
North Carolina gave up 95 points and 15 3-pointers in an overtime loss to North Carolina State last Saturday, and 80 points and another 12 3-pointers in a loss to Virginia Tech.
The Tar Heels are 194th nationally in scoring defense at 72.7 points per game, and are 316th guarding the arc, allowing teams to hit nearly 38 percent of their 3-point shots.
"I mean we've just been one of the worst defensive teams, if not the worst defensive team I've ever coached," North Carolina coach Roy Williams said. "The kids are great kids. They've got to buy into it 100 percent, not 80 percent. We've got to get better. I've got to do a better job with it."
MORE: North Carolina at Clemson provides game of the night in the ACC
The last meeting with Clemson ended in an 87-79 Tar Heels victory, keeping them undefeated in 59 all-time games at the Smith Center.
This time, the Tigers (17-4, 6-3) will be at home, but playing without forward Donte Grantham, out for the season with a torn ACL. Clemson also has lost 10 straight to North Carolina and has to play with a short turnaround after playing on Sunday.
"Obviously, it's a difficult turnaround for us, a team we've had a hard time playing against lately, so we've got to figure some things out," Clemson coach Brad Brownell said.
TEXAS TECH TWO STEP
Texas Tech moved back into the top 10 this week after climbing four spots in this week's AP Top 25.
But the Big 12 rarely has easy games and this week presents a couple of challenges.
Take a look at the top plays from yesterday's comeback win at South Carolina! #WreckEm #4To1 pic.twitter.com/jfwK544rZg
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) January 28, 2018
The Red Raiders (17-4, 5-3 Big 12) first play Wednesday against Texas. The Longhorns (14-7, 4-4) have been playing well recently and beat Texas Tech 67-58 in Austin on Jan. 17.
The Red Raiders follow with a road game against TCU (15-6, 3-5) on Saturday, facing a team that was 12-1 and a top-10 team earlier this season.
VILLANOVA ON TOP
Villanova may have lost some first-place votes to No. 2 Virginia in this week's poll, but the Wildcats were still the clear No. 1.
Villanova (20-1, 7-1 Big East) received 47 of 65 first-place votes in the poll and has not lost since a 101-93 road setback against Butler on Dec. 30.
Full college basketball rankings: Kentucky back in the mix; Auburn soaring again
The Wildcats have a couple of potentially difficult games this week, playing Creighton on Thursday and Seton Hall on Sunday.
KANSAS' CUSHION
No. 7 Kansas gave itself some cushion in its bid to win a 14th-straight Big 12 title Monday night, beating rival Kansas State 70-56 on the road.
The Jayhawks (18-4, 7-2 Big 12) play next on Saturday against Oklahoma State, which has struggled in conference play, losing five of eight games.
“I think his confidence keeps going up and he knows how much he means to this team.” - Devonte’ Graham on Malik Newman recording his first career double-double #KUbball pic.twitter.com/E3z4XWUELO
— Kansas Basketball (@KUHoops) January 30, 2018
Texas Tech, No. 12 Oklahoma and No. 15 West Virginia are tied for second behind the Jayhawks at 5-3 in conference. The Sooners play Baylor and Texas this week. The Mountaineers have games against Iowa State and Kansas State.
A little over a month left in the season, the Jayhawks are still in control.
This article was written by John Marshall from The Associated Press and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to [email protected].