Clemson Tigers vs California Golden Bears Picks and Predictions January 4th 2025

Clemson Aims to Continue ACC Dominance Against Cal

Clemson has established itself as a powerhouse in Atlantic Coast Conference play this season, winning all three of its league games by double digits. The Tigers will aim to extend their streak when they host ACC newcomer Cal on Saturday.

Clemson’s Defensive Edge

The Tigers (11-3, 3-0 ACC) have been dominant in their ACC matchups, posting victories over Miami, Wake Forest, and Stanford by an average margin of 11.7 points. Their most recent win, an 85-71 triumph over Stanford on New Year’s Day, was fueled by a standout performance from Chase Hunter, who scored 22 points.

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Jaeden Zackery also played a pivotal role, contributing 16 points, six assists, five rebounds, and four steals. Clemson’s defensive prowess was evident, as the team recorded 16 steals, including six from reserve guard Dillon Hunter, Chase’s younger brother.

“Dillon coming in with that defensive intensity off the bench, scoring and creating, is huge for us,” Zackery said. “It just kind of goes through the whole team and everybody feeds off it.”

Chase Hunter leads Clemson with an average of 17.2 points per game, while Dillon Hunter is emerging as a key contributor, particularly on defense.

Cal’s Defensive Struggles

The Bears (7-6, 0-2 ACC) are still finding their footing in the ACC and are 1-5 in their past six games. Defensive struggles have been a significant issue, with Cal allowing an average of 83.0 points per game during this stretch.

Despite their recent woes, the Bears showed promise in an 86-74 loss at Pitt on Wednesday. Freshman guard Jeremiah Wilkinson shone with 24 points, raising his season average to 12.7. Wilkinson’s efficiency at the free-throw line has been a bright spot; he is 17-for-20 over the past two games.

“I thought we battled the whole game,” Cal coach Mark Madsen said of the effort against Pitt. “Jeremiah came off the bench and played really well. He has been someone who has been locked in since he got to campus. He works extremely hard on both ends of the court, and it shows.”

A Brief History

Saturday’s matchup will mark the third all-time meeting between the programs. Clemson won the most recent clash, a 67-59 victory in the Emerald Coast Classic in November 2022. However, Cal took the more memorable matchup, a 61-60 win in the 1999 NIT championship game.

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Key Factors to Watch

• Clemson’s Defense: The Tigers’ ability to generate turnovers and maintain defensive intensity will be critical against a Cal team that has struggled to limit opponents’ scoring.
• Jeremiah Wilkinson’s Impact: The freshman guard’s scoring ability and efficiency could be a game-changer for the Bears if he continues his recent form.
• Battle of Momentum: While Clemson is riding high on its ACC success, Cal will look to snap its skid and find its first conference win.

Clemson’s strong start in ACC play makes them the favorite, but Cal’s potential for offensive outbursts, led by Wilkinson, could make this an intriguing battle.