Syracuse basketball returns to the court following an extended layoff over the winter holiday break, and the Orange will welcome Clemson to the JMA Wireless Dome on Wednesday afternoon for the 'Cuse Atlantic Coast Conference opener during the 2025-26 season.
The Orange last played on December 22, throttling Stonehill at home to wrap up non-conference play at 9-4 overall. Syracuse basketball has to put together a strong ACC resume to merit potential inclusion in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
It starts with the Tigers (10-3 overall), a group that heads to the Hill riding a three-game winning streak. Entering this league contest, Clemson has an NCAA NET ranking of No. 36 overall, while the 'Cuse is at No. 89. If the Tigers can push inside the top 30, that would represent a quadrant-one opportunity for Syracuse basketball; currently, it's a quadrant-two game for the Orange.
Over at KenPom, the 'Cuse is No. 78 nationally. Clemson is No. 36, and the Tigers sit inside the top 45 in both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. This will be a tough test for the Orange, which is expected to get back sophomore power forward Donnie Freeman, who has only played in four games this season due to a lower-body injury.
In their all-time series together, per SU Athletics, the 'Cuse is just 6-11 against the Tigers.
How to watch Syracuse basketball host Clemson on New Year's Eve.
The Orange and the Tigers will square off on Wednesday, Dec. 31, beginning at 2:00 pm EST. ESPN2 will air this conference clash. In the ACC's preseason media poll, Clemson was picked to finish at No. 7 in the league standings, while the Orange checked in at No. 9.
In 2025-26, the Tigers have beaten New Hampshire, Gardner-Webb, Morehead State, North Alabama, West Virginia, Georgia, Alabama A&M, Mercer, South Carolina and Cincinnati. Conversely, Clemson has fallen to Georgetown by five points, then-No. 12 Alabama by six points and then-No. 10 BYU by three points.
The Tigers average 79.7 points per game and give up 65.8 points. They also average 39.3 rebounds, 14.8 assists, 6.1 steals, 2.6 blocks and 9.2 turnovers per contest while making 45.7 percent from the field, 73.9 percent from the free-throw line and 33.6 percent from beyond the arc. Clemson's offense is balanced; no one scores more than 11.3 points per game, and nine players tally at least five points per encounter.
Syracuse basketball, meanwhile, averages 74.6 points per game and allows 64.8 points. The 'Cuse averages 36.5 rebounds, 13.0 assists, 7.0 steals, 7.2 blocks and 10.7 turnovers per contest while connecting on 46.7 percent from the field, 59.0 percent from the charity stripe and 30.8 percent from downtown.