Coming off a rare home loss to Virginia and playing their 3rd game in 5 days, the Blue Devils needed to build some momentum or at least create some energy. Clemson had been playing good basketball, taking the Tar Heels down to a possession before faltering. The Blue Devils having only beaten the Tigers by a bucket in Cameron knew they could be in for a dog fight.
The Blue Devils managed to build a 12 point lead, but took the majority of the first half to do it. Clemson would trim that lead to 9 with 19 second left in the first half but a layup from Paolo Banchero to end the half gave the Blue Devils an 11 point lead at the break.