Virginia Tech Hokies vs Clemson Tigers Picks and Predictions January 25th 2025

Clemson Looks to Maintain Momentum Against Virginia Tech

Riding high on a stellar start to their ACC campaign, the Clemson Tigers (16-4, 8-1) will look to maintain their position near the top of the standings as they face Virginia Tech (8-11, 3-5) on Saturday in Blacksburg, Va. While Clemson has its eyes on marquee matchups against Duke and North Carolina in the coming weeks, the Tigers know they must first handle business against a struggling Hokies team.

Clemson: A Rising Power in the ACC

Clemson’s strong start to conference play, the second-best in school history, has been fueled by consistency and leadership from veteran guard Chase Hunter. In his sixth season with the Tigers, Hunter has been nothing short of spectacular, leading the team with 17.9 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the field and an ACC-best 46.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Hunter’s scoring prowess was on full display in Clemson’s 86-72 win over Syracuse on Wednesday, where he dropped 23 points and continued to show why he’s one of the conference’s top offensive threats.

“His shooting has improved over the course of his career dramatically,” Clemson head coach Brad Brownell said. “He’s a guy we trust to make big plays.”

Complementing Hunter is Ian Schieffelin, Clemson’s dominant inside presence. Schieffelin is averaging 12.9 points and ranks second in the ACC with 9.9 rebounds per game, making him a double-double threat every night. Together, Hunter and Schieffelin form a dynamic inside-out duo that has powered Clemson to seven wins in its last eight games.

Virginia Tech: Searching for Consistency

Unlike Clemson, Virginia Tech has struggled to find a consistent scoring leader. Over their last eight games, the Hokies have had seven different players lead the team in scoring, underscoring their offensive inconsistency.

The Hokies dropped their last two games, including a discouraging 71-64 loss to Georgia Tech on Wednesday. Despite the Yellow Jackets missing four rotation players, including leading scorer Lance Terry, Virginia Tech was unable to capitalize, being outscored 10-4 in the final minutes.

“Certainly their (lack of) depth, I thought that would work to our advantage down the stretch. It was the polar opposite,” Hokies head coach Mike Young said.

Virginia Tech’s frontcourt duo of Tobi Lawal (12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds) and Mylyjael Poteat (10.4 points) leads the team. However, for the Hokies to compete with Clemson’s balanced attack, they’ll need stronger contributions from their guards and more efficient team play down the stretch.

Key Matchups

Chase Hunter vs. Virginia Tech’s Perimeter Defense: Hunter’s ability to score efficiently from all areas of the court will test the Hokies’ defensive discipline.

Ian Schieffelin vs. Tobi Lawal: This battle in the paint will be critical, as both players excel at rebounding and interior scoring.

Virginia Tech’s Late-Game Execution: The Hokies have struggled to close out games, and against a well-coached Clemson team, those late-game lapses could prove costly.

Stakes

For Clemson, a win would further solidify its position as an ACC contender while setting the stage for high-profile matchups in the coming weeks. For Virginia Tech, this game represents an opportunity to snap its losing streak and build momentum as it fights to stay relevant in the ACC standings.

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Conclusion

Clemson enters Saturday’s game as the clear favorite, led by the red-hot Chase Hunter and the versatile Ian Schieffelin. However, the Tigers cannot afford to overlook a Virginia Tech team desperate to turn its season around. If Clemson maintains its focus and continues to play with the balance and efficiency that has defined its season, the Tigers should emerge victorious and keep their ACC title hopes alive.