The Pitt Panthers take on the Clemson Tigers in Clemson, SC. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
Clemson is favored by 12 points on the spread with a moneyline of -1000. The total is set at 135 points.
Here are my Pitt vs. Clemson predictions and college basketball picks for January 31, 2026.
Pitt vs Clemson Prediction
My Pick: Clemson 1H ATS
My Pitt vs Clemson best bet is on the Tigers to cover the first-half spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Pitt vs Clemson Odds
| Pittsburgh Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+12 -110 | 135 -110o / -110u | +650 |
| Clemson Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-12 -110 | 135 -110o / -110u | -1000 |
- Pitt vs Clemson spread: Clemson -12
- Pitt vs Clemson over/under: 135 points
- Pitt vs Clemson moneyline: Pitt +650, Clemson -1000
Pitt vs Clemson College Basketball Betting Preview
Pitt Basketball
After an optimistic 3-0 start to the season, the Panthers have been in free fall ever since. They've posted a 9-12 overall record over their first 20 contests, having lost six of their last eight games in ACC play.
Jeff Capel was hired as Pittsburgh's head coach prior to the 2018 season after working as an assistant at Duke under Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski for seven seasons. Prior to his seven years in Durham, Capel served as head coach for both VCUÂ and Oklahoma.
In just his third season at Oklahoma in 2009, Capel led his Sooners squad to the Elite Eight on the back of National Player of the Year and future NBA No. 1 overall pick, Blake Griffin.
Unfortunately, Capel has been unable to replicate that success in his first seven seasons in Pittsburgh, with the Panthers receiving only one NCAA Tournament bid. The Panthers appear well on their way to missing another Big Dance in Capel’s eighth season at the helm.
Leading an athletic Pitt backcourt is 6-foot-3 sophomore point guard Brandon Cummings, who's scoring over 13 points per game in his second season with the Panthers. Alongside Cummings, 6-foot-6 senior Barry Dunning Jr. is recording 12 points and five rebounds per game.
Senior forward Cameron Corhen has also been stellar on the offensive end of the floor, leading a Panthers frontcourt that's struggled with consistent production all season long. The former Seminole is racking up over 12 points and eight rebounds per game, while converting on over 50% of his field goal attempts.
While Capel’s offense still ranks inside the top 80 in offensive efficiency, according to KenPom, the Panthers rank outside the top 300 in the country in points per game. The Panthers have been even worse on the other end of the floor, barely ranking inside the top 150 in defensive efficiency.
Pittsburgh remains in horrific form as it continues along its conference schedule, and I have some serious concerns about it heading into the heart of ACC play. There couldn't be a worse time for Capel’s bunch to head on the road to face a scorching Clemson squad.
Clemson Basketball
Entering Saturday’s ACC showdown, the Tigers have sizable momentum, having won 10 of their last 11 contests.
Upon hiring head coach Brad Brownell in 2010, it marked the dawn of a new era for Clemson’s basketball program.
Brownell, who had successful head coaching stints at both UNC Wilmington and Wright State, led the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament in his first season at the helm.
From that point on, Clemson has received five more tickets to the Big Dance — most notably, just two seasons ago when the Tigers made the Elite Eight for just the second time in program history.
The Tigers have continued that momentum into this season, posting a 17-4 record over their first 21 games (7-1 in ACC).
Clemson’s 2025-26 roster is far more balanced than that of recent years. The 18th-ranked Tigers have a ton of experience, as Brownell made some great moves in the transfer portal this past offseason.
The Tigers' backcourt features two fantastic two-way players in senior guards Jestin Porter and Dillon Hunter.
Porter, who's in his first year with Clemson after a three-year stint with Middle Tennessee, is off to a fantastic start in the ACC, posting 11 points per game.
The same can be said for Hunter, who thrives defensively and often serves as the first line of defense. He typically matches up with the opposing team's top scorer.
Clemson’s defense ranks inside the top 15 nationally in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom. Its defensive efforts don't stop there, as the Tigers boast a very impressive frontcourt on the defensive end of the floor.
6-foot-10 junior forwards Jake Wahlin and Carter Welling both serve as two of the most exceptional rim protectors in college basketball. Clemson’s defensive presence inside the paint makes it very difficult for opponents to find open looks around the basket.
While this Clemson team can certainly improve offensively, its stout defense and tenacity make it one of the best and most well-rounded teams in the ACC.
Pitt vs. Clemson Betting Analysis
The Panthers have been spiraling ever since conference play began, while the Tigers enter Saturday’s matchup with immense momentum.
While this is a revenge spot for Pitt dating back to a loss earlier this season, Clemson is definitely the superior team on both sides of the ball.
I see value in backing Clemson to come out very hot in the game’s first 20 minutes on its home floor.
I'll be backing Clemson to cover the first-half spread.
My Pick: Clemson 1H ATS
