Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Clemson Tigers Picks and Prediction for Sunday, December 21, 2025
Use Code WWWC It’s a contest on the hardwood between power conference foes as the Cincinnati Bearcats travel to the Palmetto State to battle the Clemson Tigers Sunday afternoon as part of the Greenville Winter Invitational and we have you covered with our Cincinnati vs. Clemson prediction. Cincinnati dropped Alabama State 88-51 at home in their previous contest Wednesday night, covering the line as a 21.5-point favorite. Clemson downed South Carolina 68-61 at home Tuesday night in their previous contest, failing to cover the line as a 13-point favorite. In the all-time series between the programs, the Bearcats own a 4-1 advantage, including a 79-56 home victory in the most recent matchup December 17, 2003. Read more about this Cincinnati vs. Clemson prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
Cincinnati Seeking Back-to-Back Wins
Cincinnati had dropped two straight and three of their previous four before putting the boots to Alabama State in their last game to get back in the win column. The Bearcats enter this game 7-4 on the season and look to make it two straight wins. Against Alabama State, Cincinnati led 8-0 out of the gates and controlled the contest from there. The Bearcats led 50-25 at the half and by as many as 38 in the second half as they rolled to the victory. Cincinnati shot 49.3% from the floor, including eight of 35 from beyond the arc, and owned a 45-40 advantage on the boards in the game. Baba Miller led the Bearcats with 26 points and 14 rebounds in the win.
The Bearcats are putting up an average of 75.5 points per game this season, which is 227th in the nation. Cincinnati pulls down 40.1 rebounds per contest (57th) and dishes out 18 assists a night, which is 38th in Division I. The Bearcats are above average on the defensive end, ranking 27th in the nation in scoring defense by allowing 65.5 points per game. Baba Miller is one of four players averaging double figure points a night as he averages 14.7 points plus 11 rebounds per game this season. Jizzle James (16 points), Moustapha Thiam (9.8 points, 7.5 rebounds) and Shon Abaev (11.6 points) are solid scoring options as well. Day Day Thomas (12.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists), Sencire Harris, Kerr Kriisa, Jordi Rodriguez, Jalen Celestine, Keyshaun Tillery, Tyler McKinley and Halvine Dzellat all are important pieces for Wes Miller and the Bearcats this season. Cincinnati shoots 42.4% from the floor as a team on the year, putting them 305th in the nation. The Bearcats knock down 9.1 three-pointers a night while sinking 30.5% of their attempts, putting them 306th in the country. Cincinnati has been weak at the line this season as they have posted a mediocre 63.1% mark at the charity stripe to date, which is 352nd in Division I.
Key Injury Report for Cincinnati:
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- Forward Tyler McKinley (lower body) is questionable.
Tigers Hoping to Earn Win in Non-Conference Finale
Clemson won their second straight as they took down in-state rival South Carolina in their previous contest Tuesday night. The Tigers improved to 9-3 on the year and try to finish non-conference play on a positive note here. Against South Carolina, Clemson trailed 9-2 early before getting themselves untracked. The Tigers regrouped to lead 34-27 at the half and didn’t let the Gamecocks closer than six in the second half en route to the victory. Clemson shot 46.8% from the floor, including five of 14 from three-point range, and overcame missing 12 of their 31 free throw attempts in the contest. Ace Buckner led the Tigers with 19 points and seven rebounds off the bench in the win.
On the year, Clemson is 127th in the nation in scoring offense this season as they put up an average of 80.7 points per game. Clemson is above average in the rebounding department as they collect 40.3 boards a night (54th) while they are 169th by dishing out 14.8 assists a game. The Tigers are above average defensively as they are 34th in scoring defense by allowing 65.9 points per game. Carter Welling is one of three players averaging in double figures for the Tigers as he puts up 10.3 points plus 5.6 rebounds a night this season. RJ Godfrey (11.4 points, 6.2 rebounds) and Jestin Porter (10.4 points) are good secondary options. Dillon Hunter, Ace Buckner, Nick Davidson, Jake Wahlin, Zac Foster, Butta Johnson, Dallas Thomas and Chase Thompson are all needed to contribute for coach Brad Brownell. Clemson shoots 45.5% from the field this season as a team, which is 182nd in the country. The Tigers connect on 8.3 three-point field goals per game (158th) while shooting 32.6% from beyond the arc (236th) on the year. Clemson has been above average at the line this season, connecting on 74% of their attempts, which is 113th in the country.
Key Injury Report for Clemson:
- Guard Zac Foster (knee) is out for the season.
Cincinnati vs. Clemson Pick
Cincinnati vs. Clemson Spread Pick
- Clemson -5.5 (4 units)
Both teams have been stingy on the defensive end of the floor this season. With that said, Cincinnati has been dismal shooting the ball this season. When you rank 300th or worse in field goal percentage, three-point percentage AND free throw percentage, there are definitely concerns about a team offensively. Getting James in the mix (he made his season debut against Alabama State) is a boost for the Bearcats but he and Miller can’t do it all for the Bearcats. Clemson took a hit with the injury to Foster but they still have decent pieces to work with in their backcourt. The Tigers aren’t a group of deadeye shooters but they’re better than the Bearcats. Playing within shouting distance of home should help as well. Take Clemson to earn their 10th win of the year.
Cincinnati vs. Clemson Over/Under Pick
- Under 137.5 (4 units)
Cincinnati has seen the under cash in eight of their 11 games on the year, including four of their last five. The Bearcats are 10th in defensive efficiency, 13th in effective field goal percentage defense (44.3%), 33rd in forced turnover percentage (20.9%) and 22nd in field goal percentage defense (38.4%) this season. Cincinnati is 63rd in adjusted tempo with 71.3 possessions a night. Clemson has seen the under post a 6-6 mark in their 12 games this season. The Tigers are 46th in offensive efficiency, 132nd in effective field goal percentage (52.4%), 64th in offensive rebounding percentage (35.3%) and 8th in turnover percentage (13.3%) this season. Clemson is 331st in adjusted tempo as they average 65.8 possessions per game according to KenPom. With two good defensive teams and Clemson likely to slow the tempo here, this game ends up under the number.
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