South Carolina vs. Clemson Preview, Picks and Prediction, Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Use Code WWWC On Tuesday, the South Carolina Gamecocks will play the Clemson Tigers in an in-state rivalry clash at Littlejohn Coliseum, and we have you ready to go with our South Carolina vs. Clemson prediction, odds, and preview. Tip-off from Clemson, SC, is at 7:00 p.m. ET.
The Tigers are 12.5-point spread favorites, and the game total is 140 points scored.
The Gamecocks beat the Tigers 91-88 in overtime last season. The series is split 5-5 (USC went 6-4 ATS) over the last ten matchups, and the under was 8-2 in those games. If you want the South Carolina vs. Clemson prediction, read on to get our top NCAAB predictions and increase your bankroll!
South Carolina has won three of its last four
South Carolina (7-3 SU, 4-6 ATS, and 6-4 O/U) beat The Citadel 71-55 in its previous game, failing to cover as 23-point spread favorites. The Gamecocks were off the mark from three-point range (3-for-23), but scored 42 points in the paint and 18 at the free-throw line. The Bulldogs shot 37 percent overall and were outrebounded 40-32.
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South Carolina is led by senior guard Meechie Johnson, who scores 15.5 points per game on 45.1 percent shooting. He also averages 3.4 assists. A few other Gamecocks to watch in Sunday's game against Northwestern are senior guard Mike Sharavjamts (11.6 PPG and 6.6 RPG), freshman guard Eli Ellis (10.2 PPG), and junior forward Elijah Strong (10.1 PPG).
South Carolina scores 80.1 points per game (192nd) on 45.7 percent shooting (173rd), including 31.3 percent from beyond the arc (279th). Defensively, the Gamecocks give up 68.2 points per game (64th) on 41.9 percent shooting (115th), including 25.8 percent from three (7th). USC is ranked 88th in the country, with rankings of 107th in offensive efficiency and 81st in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom.
South Carolina Gamecocks Injury Report:
- F Elijah Strong (knee) is questionable.
Clemson narrowly avoided an upset last game
Clemson (8-3 SU, 6-5 ATS, and 6-5 O/U) beat Mercer 70-63 on Saturday, failing to cover as 22.5-point spread favorites. The Tigers bounced back from consecutive losses to Alabama and BYU by outrebounding the Bears (+10 margin) and scoring 34 points in the paint. They trailed 39-33 at halftime, but rallied behind senior guard Dillon Hunter, who scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half. Clemson scores 83.0 points per game (149th) on 45.3 percent shooting (182nd), and its opponents average 66.7 points per game (32nd) on 39.2 percent shooting (39th).
The Tigers went 27-7 last season, including 18-2 in ACC play (tied for second place). On the heels of an Elite Eight appearance, expectations were high, but they were upset by 12-seed McNeese State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Clemson is coached by Brad Brownell, who has compiled a 300-199 record in his 16 seasons at the helm. His 2025-26 squad was picked to finish seventh in the ACC's preseason poll.
Fourteen players from last season's Clemson team departed in the offseason, with some going pro and others transferring or retiring from basketball. While the Tigers return three scholarship players, two redshirted last season. Brownell was active in the transfer portal and recruiting scenes, adding six transfers and four frosh. Forward Nick Davidson is the team's top transfer addition, as the 6-10 senior averaged 15.8 points and 6.5 rebounds at Nevada last season. Forward RJ Godfrey, who started his career at Clemson but spent last season at Georgia, transferred back during the offseason and is averaging 11.9 points and 6.5 rebounds this season. A few other players to watch on Tuesday against South Carolina are senior guard Jestin Porter (10.8 PPG), junior forward Carter Welling (9.8 PPG and 5.7 RPG), and junior forward Jake Wahlin (7.1 PPG and 4.7 RPG).
Clemson Tigers Injury Report:
- No injuries to report.
South Carolina vs. Clemson Pick and Preview
Spread Pick for South Carolina vs. Clemson
- Gamecocks +12.5 (5 Units)
South Carolina will cover the spread in Tuesday's matchup against Clemson. The Gamecocks will defend the three-point line (7th nationally in opponent 3PT%) well enough to keep the Tigers from running away with the game, as the home team attempts a lot of them. The visitors will also attack Clemson on the perimeter on offense, as the home team allows a high number of mid-range attempts (33rd-most nationally), an area of the court where USC shoots a high percentage (47.9%, seventh-highest).
This spread is too high for a rivalry game. Bet on Carolina to keep the margin of defeat within single digits.
Over/Under Pick for South Carolina vs. Clemson
- Under 140 (4 Units)
The under is 8-2 in the previous ten matchups between these teams, including 4-1 in the last five.
I lean towards that outcome in Tuesday's game, as both teams play sound defense, holding their opponents under 70 points per game. Clemson rarely gives up a lot of points near the rim and will challenge South Carolina to hit threes to make up for it. That's likely to keep the Gamecocks from reaching their season scoring average, as they haven't shot the three-ball well enough (31%). The Tigers rank 28th in three-point attempt rate against the average opponent, according to Haslametrics, but they shoot only 32% from deep. Bet on the Gamecocks' elite three-point defense to force them into poor shots.
These teams are also slow-paced, ranking 264th (USC) and 337th (Clemson) in schedule-adjusted tempo. In a rivalry matchup between slow, defensive-minded teams, the best bet on the total is the under.
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