Clemson Tigers vs. Syracuse Orange Picks and Prediction for Wednesday, December 31, 2025
It’s an early season clash on the hardwood and it brings a conference clash with a pair of squads from the ACC on the hardwood in the Empire State as the Clemson Tigers take on the Syracuse Orange Wednesday afternoon and we have you covered with our Clemson vs. Syracuse prediction. Clemson comes in off a 68-65 win over Cincinnati as part of the Greenville Winter Invitational in their previous game December 21, failing to cover the line as a 3.5-point favorite. Syracuse downed Stonehill 77-48 at home December 22, covering the line as a 22.5-point favorite, in their previous game. In the all-time series between the teams, the Tigers own a 10-6 advantage and have won the last four meetings, including an 86-72 home win in the most recent matchup back on January 22. Read more about this Clemson vs. Syracuse prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
Sign Up for Winners and Whiners News Alerts, Get Free Picks and Discounts
Subscribe Now
Clemson Looking to Squeeze Orange for Fifth Straight Time
Clemson won their third straight game as they took down Cincinnati in their non-conference finale ahead of the holiday break. The Tigers improved to 10-3 overall on the year and look to start ACC play off on the right foot here. Against Cincinnati, Clemson never trailed in the contest, taking a 14-0 lead out of the gate and a 23-3 bulge midway through the first half. The Tigers took their biggest lead at 38-11 with 3:01 to go in the first half, led 38-18 at the half and held on after the Bearcats cut the lead to one twice in the final minute to earn the win. Clemson shot 48% from the field, including 10 of 20 from beyond the arc, and overcame a 36-27 beating on the glass. Carter Welling and Ace Buckner each had 12 points to lead six Tigers in double figures in the win.
On the year, Clemson is 135th in the nation in scoring offense this season as they put up an average of 79.7 points per game. Clemson is above average in the rebounding department as they collect 39.3 boards a night (76th) while they are 167th by dishing out 14.8 assists a game. The Tigers are above average defensively as they are 31st in scoring defense by allowing 65.8 points per game. Carter Welling is one of three players averaging in double figures for the Tigers as he puts up 10.5 points plus 5.5 rebounds a night this season. RJ Godfrey (11.3 points, 5.8 rebounds) and Jestin Porter (10.5 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 45.7% from the field this season as a team, which is 176th in the country. The Tigers connect on 8.5 three-point field goals per game (143rd) while shooting 33.6% from beyond the arc (199th) on the year. Clemson has been above average at the line this season, connecting on 73.9% of their attempts, which is 111th in the country.
Key Injury Report for Clemson:
- Guard Zac Foster (knee) is out for the season.
Orange Trying to Pick Up Home Win
Syracuse won their third straight game as they cruised past Stonehill at home in their final game ahead of the holiday break. The Orange improved to 9-4 on the season and try to pick up another win at home in this contest as they open conference play. Against Stonehill, Syracuse jumped in front 12-2 early and cruised the rest of the way. The Orange led 39-27 at the half and by as many as 31 en route to the win. Syracuse shot 48.2% from the floor, including nine of 21 from three-point range, and overcame a 14 of 29 showing at the free throw line in the game. Naithan George led Syracuse with 22 points in the win.
The Orange are averaging 74.6 points per game this season, which puts them 257th in the nation in scoring offense. Syracuse collects 36.5 boards a night while the team is dishing out 13 assists per contest. The Orange are above average defensively as they are 25th in scoring defense by allowing 64.8 points a night. Donnie Freeman leads the team with 17.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game on the year. Kiyan Anthony (10.9 points), William Kyle III (10.5 points, 8.3 rebounds) and Nate Kingz (10.3 points) are good secondary scorers. Tyler Betsey, J.J. Starling (11.3 points), Naithan George (10.4 points, 4.9 assists), Sadiq White Jr., Luke Fennell, Bryce Zephir and Ibrahim Souare are the other players logging any serious minutes on a consistent basis this season for coach Adrian Autry. The Orange is shooting 46.7% from the field as a team on the year. Syracuse is hitting 6.5 triples a night while shooting 30.8% from beyond the arc. The Orange have struggled at the charity stripe, cashing in on just 59% of their chances this season, putting them 365th, or last, in Division I.
Key Injury Report for Syracuse:
- Forward Donnie Freeman (foot) is questionable.
Clemson vs. Syracuse Pick
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Tony Karpinski | +2,494.00 |
| 2 |  Joe Duffy | +1,859.00 |
| 3 |  The Insiders Room | +1,788.00 |
| 4 |  Mark Ruelle | +1,428.00 |
| 5 |  Jackie Mack | +1,400.00 |
Clemson vs. Syracuse Spread Pick
- Clemson -1.5 (4 units)
Syracuse is 8-1 at home on the year but they’ve played a pretty lackluster slate outside of a two-point win over Tennessee. While the Orange took care of business in their last three games, they have covered the line just once in the last five games and their offensive issues without Freeman are glaringly obvious. Seven of their nine wins are against teams ranked 212th or worse in the KenPom rankings. Clemson owns four wins over teams ranked in the top 100 and they hung tough in Tuscaloosa (90-84 loss at Alabama) plus against BYU (67-64 loss in New York City) on a neutral floor. The Tigers have had Syracuse’s number and if Freeman can’t go again, you have to fade the Orange. Syracuse’s putrid free throw shooting proves to be their undoing as Clemson wins.
Clemson vs. Syracuse Over/Under Pick
- Under 142.5 (4 units)
Clemson has seen the under post a 7-6 mark in their 13 games this season. The Tigers are 46th in offensive efficiency, 117th in effective field goal percentage (52.8%), 108th in offensive rebounding percentage (33.6%) and 16th in turnover percentage (13.6%) this season. Clemson is 334th in adjusted tempo as they average 65.8 possessions per game according to KenPom. Syracuse has stayed under the number in seven of their 13 games, with one push, on the year. The Orange stand 61st in defensive efficiency, 14th in effective field goal percentage defense (44.6%), 27th in forced turnover percentage (21.2%), 26th in field goal percentage defense (39%) and sixth in two-point defense (42.3%) on the year. Syracuse is 210th in tempo with 68.5 possessions per game. Both teams are solid defensively and with the Orange sputtering on offense, that keeps this game under the number.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet $5 & Get $200
