Kentucky vs. Clemson prediction, odds & picks for Dec. 3 | College Basketball Season 2024-25
On Tuesday night, the No.4-ranked Kentucky Wildcats (7-0) visit Clemson Tigers (7-1) in the ACC-SEC Challenge at the Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, South Carolina.
Kentucky will play its first true road game this season. The Wildcats's Champions Classic game against Duke on Nov. 12 was played on neutral ground at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
On the other hand, Clemson is 5-0 at home and hopes to give Mark Pope his first loss as Kentucky's coach.
Let's look at the odds and predictions for this high-caliber Division I college basketball showdown.
Kentucky vs. Clemson prediction
Kentucky is among the five SEC teams that haven't lost a game this season. The Wildcats have surprised opponents with their fast-paced offensive style, scoring 95 or more points in five of their first seven regular season games.
But Kentucky's most notable game didn't need the speedy pace that coach Mark Pope employs. The Wildcats's defense did their thing to stop Cooper Flagg's teammates from scoring and prevented the five-star freshman from inflicting more damage in the final seconds of the second half.
They forced Flagg to commit two costly turnovers down the stretch, allowing Kentucky to win 77-72 over its Blue Bloods opponent.
Pope's offense has been so balanced six players are averaging in double figures this season. Otega Oweh leads the team in scoring with 15.9 points per game, while Koby Brea, Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson have averaged at least 12 ppg.
Big men Andrew Carr and Amari Williams have provided the interior defense the Wildcats need, with Carr averaging 10.7 points and 5.7 rebounds. Meanwhile, Williams has recorded a double-double, tallying 10.0 ppg and 10.0 rpg in only 19.4 minutes of action each outing.
Kentucky has averaged 96.7 points per game on 51.6% shooting from the field, including 38.2 from the 3-point line.
Conversely, Clemson has relied on Chase Hunter, Ian Schieffelin, and Victor Lakhin on both sides of the court.
Hunter paces the Brad Brownell-mentored squad, averaging 16.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals per contest. He is supported by Schieffelin, who averages a double-double of 12.5 ppg, 11.6 rpg and 3.6 apg.
Lakhin has been impressive on both sides of the court, tallying 11.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.4 blocks per outing. The Tigers have shot 47.7% from the field, 10.0% higher than Kentucky allows its opponents each game.
Clemson ranks as one of the premier teams in the ACC for offensive rebounds, averaging 10.8 per game, with Schieffelin topping the team at 3.9.
The over/under for the Kentucky-Clemson game is 155.5, with the Wildcats emerging as the betting favorite at -1.5.
Prediction: Kentucky Wildcats 80, Clemson Tigers 78
Kentucky vs Clemson odds
Kentucky vs. Clemson head-to-head
Kentucky and Clemson have met 16 times since 1922, with the Wildcats holding a 12-4 edge over the Tigers. Their last meeting was on Nov. 29, 1997, in Phoenix, Arizona, when Kentucky beat Clemson 76-61.
How to watch Kentucky vs. Clemson
The ACC-SEC Challenge showdown between Kentucky and Clemson will air on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. ET with Karl Ravech and Jimmy Dykes serving as play-by-play commentators. The matchup can be streamed live on Fubo and WatchESPN.com or ESPN+.