When: Saturday, 1/17/2026
Where: Littlejohn Coliseum – Clemson, South Carolina
Time: 7:00
Channel: ACC Network
2025-2026 Season
Overall Record: 12-6
ACC Record: 3-2
Previous 3 Games:
1/17 – L: 78 – 74 vs Georgia Tech @ Away
1/10 – W: 113 – 69 vs Florida State @ Away
1/6 – W: 79 – 71 vs Boston College @ Away
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The Rundown
This is a fun matchup and a game with big implications for both teams. Clemson is looking to collect their tenth straight win after reaching their highest ranking of the season yet at #18 in the AP Poll. NC State was building momentum after a 44-point obliteration of FSU in Tallahassee, but an untimely loss to a middling Georgia Tech team resets them heading into this showdown.
You know the story on Clemson so far: stifling defense (13th-ranked scoring defense in the country right now!), efficient ball control, and a roster with any number of guys who can take over a game. The Tigers have seen six different players lead the team in scoring over the last few weeks, proof that there is a multitude of talent ready to step up any given night. Brownell is putting together one of the most impressive coaching performances in his long tenure at Clemson, and this is a group that looks ready to continue grinding out wins with its stingy defense.
NC State comes to town with a familiar face for Clemson fans – first-year head coach Will Wade, formerly of McNeese State, brings a group that has flashed incredible scoring at times but also shown an inconsistent focus. After a hot start to the season, State has floundered and inflicted several confusing losses, most recently against Georgia Tech.
This is a team that loves to shoot from beyond the arc, and they do so very well. They currently shoot the 3 almost exactly at a 40% rate, good for seventh in the country. Four different Wolfpack players are averaging at least 12 PPG, including the ACC Preseason Player of the Year, Darrion Williams (14.2 PPG). Alongside Williams are guards Paul McNeil Jr. (13.9 PPG) and Quadir Copeland (13.7 PPG), plus forward Ven-Allen Lubin (12.7 PPG).
When the Wolfpack can find their rhythm outside and start landing shots, they can overwhelm their opponent with the onslaught of shooting. But as seen against Tech last weekend, this team struggles to stay afloat if Williams or one of McNeil and Copeland can’t get hot.
Prediction
State isn’t too dissimilar to Clemson as a group on offense: they don’t rely on any one star player but operate via a committee of playmakers. They shoot the 3 incredibly well right now, but they haven’t faced a defense quite as strong as Clemson’s yet.
Miami was held to its lowest point total of the season in Littlejohn Stadium, and I suspect we might see something similar on Tuesday night for the Wolfpack. I like Clemson to step up and continue flexing its strong defense to put together a tenth-straight win.
