Clemson men’s basketball is out west on a road trip and looking to continue building on momentum in California. The Tigers beat Stanford 66-64 on Wednesday night and will face the California Golden Bears on Saturday. After an impressive stretch through the ACC, Clemson has positioned itself with a strong conference record and now looks to continue that success far from home.
Clemson, 19-4, 9-1 ACC, opened the trip with a 2-point win over Stanford at Maples Pavilion late on Wednesday night. The Tigers headed into the contest fresh off an 11-point victory at home against Pitt before grinding out a close win. In the 13th consecutive road ACC win, 43 of Clemson’s 66 points came off the bench — a gutsy performance from the rotationals. The Tigers currently sit at No. 2 in the ACC and are ranked No. 20 nationally.
On Saturday, Feb. 7, they will head to Haas Pavilion to face the Golden Bears in just the third meeting of the two programs. The game will tip off at 8 p.m. and feature two teams ranked in the ACC’s top 10. Cal is led by Dai Dai Ames and Justin Pippen, the son of NBA legend Scottie Pippen. The guard duo is averaging over 30 points per game.
The Tigers have played four of their last six games at home and showcased a stifling defensive front and calculated offensive attack in each of those matchups. That formula will continue to be tested away from the friendly confines of Littlejohn Coliseum.
A strong anchored backcourt consisting of Jestin Porter, Dillon Hunter and Ace Buckner has provided scoring and ball movement. Down low, Carter Welling and RJ Godfrey have adjusted to a physical brand of play, giving Clemson a steady interior presence on both ends of the floor.
Rebounds have been a key point of emphasis for the powerful Clemson team, and the Tigers will look to make their best effort to command the paint as they work to improve against second-chance opportunities, while also minimizing turnovers and mistakes that have haunted them in previous games. Limiting offensive rebounds and finishing defensive possessions will be critical as the Tigers aim to control tempo and keep their West Coast opponents out of rhythm.
Looking forward, Brownell’s squad will rely on a strong defensive presence and important depth to close out a difficult ACC stretch. With ACC standings tightening and postseason implications at the forefront, the West Coast trip serves as a defining opportunity for Clemson to prove its consistency away from home and further solidify its place among the conference’s elite.
