Clemson Heads West for Late-Night Test Against Stanford in Key ACC Clash
Clemson basketball is riding a serious wave of momentum, and now the Tigers are taking that energy out West for a rare late-night tipoff. No.
19 Clemson (18-4, 8-1 ACC) rolls into Stanford’s Maples Pavilion on Feb. 4 for a 10 p.m. ET matchup that marks their latest start time of the season - and their first-ever meeting with the Cardinal on California soil.
Despite the time zone shift and the long flight, this is a game Clemson can’t afford to overlook. The Tigers have won 10 of their last 11 and are sitting second in the ACC standings, looking every bit like a team destined for a third straight NCAA Tournament berth.
That’s no small feat considering the roster turnover they’ve dealt with - the most significant in Brad Brownell’s tenure. Yet here they are, playing cohesive, efficient basketball when it matters most.
Their most recent outing, a gritty 63-52 win over Pitt on Jan. 31, was a showcase of Clemson’s defensive identity. The Tigers locked in when it counted, holding the Panthers to just 20 points in the second half. That kind of second-half dominance has become a theme for this group - and it might be the difference again in Palo Alto.
Stanford, meanwhile, is looking to steady the ship. The Cardinal (14-8, 3-6 ACC) are tied for 12th in the conference and coming off a tough two-game road swing through Florida, where they fell to Miami and Florida State.
But don’t let that record fool you - this team can be dangerous, especially at home. They’ve posted a solid 9-5 mark at Maples Pavilion this season and already notched wins over ranked opponents like North Carolina and Louisville.
This matchup carries different stakes for each side. For Stanford, it’s a golden opportunity to earn a Quadrant 1 win - the kind that can nudge them back into the NCAA Tournament conversation.
For Clemson, it’s a Quad 2 game, and they’ve been excellent in those spots this year, going 6-1. A win here would keep the Tigers firmly on track for a top-tier tournament seed.
This will be just the second all-time meeting between the programs. Clemson took the first round last season, winning 85-71 at home. But this time, the setting - and the stakes - are very different.
Prediction: Clemson 71, Stanford 69
Don’t expect a blowout. This one has all the makings of a tight, back-and-forth battle.
The late tip could throw Clemson off rhythm early, but this team has shown time and again that it knows how to adjust. Look for the Tigers’ offense to find its groove in the second half, and a key defensive stand down the stretch could be the deciding factor.
If Clemson stays disciplined and keeps the turnovers in check, they should be able to escape with a narrow win and head into the rest of their road trip with confidence.
Clemson Upcoming Schedule (Record: 18-4)
- Feb. 7 at Cal - 8 p.m. ET, ACC Network
- Feb. 11 vs. Virginia Tech - 7 p.m.
ET, ACC Network
- Feb. 14 at Duke - Noon ET, ESPN
- Feb. 18 at Wake Forest - 7 p.m. ET, ACC Network
- Feb. 21 vs. Florida State - Noon ET, CW Network
Stanford Upcoming Schedule (Record: 14-8)
- Feb. 7 vs. Georgia Tech - 8 p.m.
ET, ESPNU
- Feb. 11 at Boston College - 9 p.m.
ET, ESPNU
- Feb. 14 at Wake Forest - 4 p.m.
ET, ACC Network
- Feb. 21 at Cal - 6 p.m.
ET, ACC Network
- **Feb. 25 vs.
Pitt** - 8 p.m. ET, ACC Network
Tipoff between Clemson and Stanford is set for 10 p.m. ET on the ACC Network. It’s late, sure - but for two teams with very different postseason paths, it’s right on time for a statement game.