Clemson Men’s Basketball gets second road test of 2023 at Pitt

The season is young still, but Clemson Men’s Basketball has done what they needed to do early in their ACC schedule. They sit at 4-0 in the conference and are currently tied for first-place, which is a surprise.

It’s also a surprise that they are tied with the Pittsburgh Panthers, who just happen to be their next opponent.

Pitt will host the Tigers today in Petersen Events Center at 4:00 PM to decide who will take the outright lead in the conference standings.

The Tigers are 12-3 overall. They are ranked 55th in the KenPom rankings. There are six ACC teams ahead of Clemson, two of whom lost to the Tigers already this season. Clemson defeated Virginia Tech 68-65 on Wednesday.

Hunter Tyson leads Clemson in points (15.5) and rebounds (10.0) per game. Chase Hunter leads the team in assists with 4.6 per game.

Alex Heminway has been injured and hasn’t played since December 17th against Richmond. He is the Tigers’ best 3-point shooter. We don’t know when he will return, but it isn’t likely to be tonight.

Pittsburgh finished last season with only six conference wins, so their performance thus far is even more surprising than Clemson’s. The Panthers are led in scoring (17.0 per game) and rebounds (7.0 per game) by junior forward Blake Hinson. They are led in assists by senior guard Nelly Cummings. They are currently ranked 63rd in the KenPom rankings.

Clemson Men’s Basketball is a 2.5-point underdog against the Panthers, with an over/under total of 141.5 points.

The spread is Pittsburgh -2.5, with an over/under of 141.5, which suggests a 72-69.5 victory for the Panthers.

Marty Coleman (11-4, 6-9 ATS):

When I bring up Clemson basketball, Clemson fans wonder when their hearts will be broken this year.  I’m thinking this is the spot.  For three straight ACC games the Tigers have covered for the absence of Alex Hemenway.  In this game they meet up with a team with a similar profile that can shoot the three and is good at offensive rebounding.  Prove me wrong Tigers!

John Chancey (11-4, 7-8 ATS):

I’m torn. Second game on the road in the new year. I predicted the Clemson cover but didn’t think they would get the V in Blacksburg and they proved me wrong. Pittsburgh holds and advantage in rebounding, on both ends of the court. Clemson will need to be hot shooting the ball to win. I’m going with the same prediction: Pitt gets the win, Clemson covers.