Clemson Tigers vs Syracuse Orange Picks and Predictions January 22nd 2025

Syracuse Faces Tough Test Against Clemson’s Ian Schieffelin and Surging Tigers

The Syracuse Orange will face a red-hot Clemson team on Wednesday night as they travel to South Carolina for an ACC showdown. The Tigers (15-4, 7-1 ACC) are rolling, having won six of their last seven games, while Syracuse (9-9, 3-4 ACC) is looking to build on its comeback win over Notre Dame.

Ian Schieffelin: Clemson’s ‘Warrior’

Clemson’s fifth-year senior Ian Schieffelin has been a key force, despite nagging back and calf injuries that have limited his ability to practice.

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• Averaging 13.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 3.2 APG
• 15 points, 11 rebounds in an OT win over Pitt

Head coach Brad Brownell continues to be impressed by Schieffelin’s toughness.

“Ian’s just been a warrior,” Brownell said. “I don’t know that (his practice schedule) will be much different here for a while. … Crossing my fingers that everything is going to be fine. But he’s a tough kid.”

Schieffelin was a nightmare for Syracuse last season, averaging 14.5 points on 10-of-10 shooting in two Clemson wins.

Chase Hunter’s Perimeter Presence

• 20 points vs. Pitt
• 5 three-pointers made
• Experienced guard who provides leadership and clutch shooting

Hunter is another veteran playmaker that Syracuse’s defense must contain. His ability to stretch the floor with three-point shooting makes Clemson even more dangerous.

Can Syracuse’s Defense Step Up?

Syracuse’s defense has been inconsistent, allowing 77.6 points per game this season. However, they showed flashes of improvement in their 77-69 win over Notre Dame by holding the Irish to:

• 42.1% shooting
• Just five three-pointers made

Head coach Adrian Autry praised his team’s resilience.

“You couldn’t tell whatever our record was,” Autry said. “These guys came out here, they played hard, they played tough, and that’s how it has to be going forward.”

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Syracuse’s Key Players

• J.J. Starling (21 PTS vs. Notre Dame) – Took over in the second half to fuel the comeback win.
• Eddie Lampkin Jr. (13 PTS, 11 REB vs. Notre Dame) – A dominant force inside, who will have a crucial matchup against Schieffelin.
• Kyle Cuffe Jr. (13 PTS, 10-for-10 FT shooting) – Stepped up big in the win.

Starling emphasized the team’s never-give-up mentality, which they’ll need against a tough Clemson squad.

“(It) was big time because we could have easily given up, but I’m very proud of this group of guys,” Starling said. “We just kept fighting, and we didn’t lay down.”

Can Syracuse Pull Off the Upset?

• Clemson is on a hot streak, and Schieffelin has dominated Syracuse in the past.
• The Orange must limit Chase Hunter’s three-point shooting.
• Syracuse must continue its defensive improvement to slow down Clemson’s balanced attack.

With momentum on Clemson’s side, Syracuse will need a near-perfect game to pull off an upset. This ACC clash will test the Orange’s toughness and resilience against one of the conference’s top teams.