After a long winter break, Syracuse basketball is back in action-and they’re diving right into the deep end. The Orange open Atlantic Coast Conference play with a New Year’s Eve showdown at the JMA Wireless Dome against a Clemson team that’s been rolling lately. It’s a big one, not just because it kicks off ACC play, but because it’s the kind of matchup that could carry real weight when March rolls around.
Syracuse wrapped up its non-conference slate with a convincing win over Stonehill back on December 22, closing that portion of the schedule at 9-4. Now the stakes get higher.
The Orange are looking to build a résumé strong enough to earn a spot in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, and that means stacking quality wins in league play. Wednesday’s game offers that kind of opportunity-if not quite a marquee one just yet, it’s close.
Clemson rolls into town at 10-3 and riding a three-game win streak. According to the NCAA’s NET rankings, the Tigers sit at No. 36 nationally, while Syracuse checks in at No.
- That makes this a quadrant-two game for the Orange-though if Clemson cracks the top 30, it would bump up to quadrant-one status, which is gold when Selection Sunday comes calling.
KenPom paints a similar picture. Syracuse is currently No. 78, while Clemson holds steady at No.
- The Tigers have been getting it done on both ends, ranking inside the top 45 in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency.
That balance makes them a tough out and a legitimate test for a Syracuse squad still trying to find its identity.
There is some good news on the personnel front for the Orange: sophomore forward Donnie Freeman is expected to return to the floor. Freeman has been limited to just four games this season due to a lower-body injury, but his presence could be a difference-maker. He brings size, athleticism, and a two-way skill set that Syracuse has missed.
Historically, the Orange haven’t had the upper hand in this matchup. Syracuse trails the all-time series against Clemson, 6-11. But this is a new season, and with ACC play just beginning, there’s still everything to play for.
Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 31, with ESPN2 carrying the broadcast.
In the ACC’s preseason media poll, Clemson was projected to finish seventh in the conference, while Syracuse was slotted two spots behind at ninth. That’s not a huge gap, but it’s reflective of where both programs stand right now-solid, but still with something to prove.
Clemson’s résumé includes wins over teams like West Virginia, Georgia, and South Carolina, with their only losses coming in close games to Georgetown, then-No. 12 Alabama, and then-No.
10 BYU. The Tigers are scoring 79.7 points per game while holding opponents to 65.8.
They’re efficient, too-shooting 45.7% from the field and 73.9% from the line, with a balanced offense that doesn’t rely on any one player. Nobody on the roster averages more than 11.3 points, but nine different players are scoring at least five per game.
That kind of depth makes them unpredictable and hard to scout.
Syracuse, meanwhile, is averaging 74.6 points while allowing just 64.8. Defensively, they’ve been active-averaging 7.0 steals and an impressive 7.2 blocks per game. Offensively, they’re shooting a solid 46.7% from the field, though the free-throw line (59.0%) and three-point shooting (30.8%) remain areas of concern.
This game is more than just a conference opener-it’s a measuring stick. For Syracuse, it’s a chance to see how they stack up against a well-rounded, top-40 team. For Clemson, it’s an opportunity to build on their momentum and strengthen their own tournament case.
The Dome will be rocking on New Year’s Eve, and for good reason. Conference play is here, and it’s time to find out what this Syracuse team is really made of.