Preview: Pittsburgh Panthers at Clemson Tigers

GREENVILLE, S.C. (Interstat) — The Clemson Tigers, riding high in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings, will look to complete a regular-season sweep when they host the struggling Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at the Bi-Lo Center.

Clemson (17-4), among the conference leaders, has won seven of its last eight games. Its only recent stumble was a 76-80 overtime loss to North Carolina State on Jan. 20. The Tigers’ defense has been a cornerstone, holding opponents to 63 points or fewer in three of their last four victories. In their 77-63 road win at Georgia Tech last Saturday, balance was key as Jake Wahlin (13 points, 8 rebounds) and Nick Davidson (13 points, 6 rebounds) led the way.

Guard Ace Buckner has provided a consistent spark off the bench for Clemson. He logged 20 minutes with 12 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists against Georgia Tech. In the teams’ first meeting this season, a 73-68 Clemson win at Pittsburgh on Jan. 3, Buckner contributed 14 minutes in the victory.

Pittsburgh (9-12) arrives after snapping a three-game skid with an 80-76 overtime win against Wake Forest this past Tuesday. The Panthers’ season has been marked by inconsistency, including a 100-59 home loss to Louisville on Jan. 17. They will seek their first road win since Jan. 14.

The Panthers will lean on guard Omari Witherspoon, who is coming off one of his best performances of the season. He played 29 minutes against Wake Forest, scoring 13 points and dishing out 4 assists. Witherspoon was also a bright spot in the first matchup with Clemson, leading Pittsburgh with 14 points in 25 minutes.

Clemson’s stout defense, allowing just 64.2 points per game, will challenge a Pittsburgh offense averaging 72.1. The Tigers won the rebounding battle 38-31 in the January meeting, a key factor they will aim to replicate.

Following this contest, Clemson begins a two-game West Coast trip at Stanford, while Pittsburgh travels to face Virginia.