Clemson Basketball Preview: Miami Hurricanes

Game Day Information

When: Saturday, 1/17/2026

Where: Littlejohn Coliseum – Clemson, South Carolina

Time: 2:15

Channel: The CW

2025-2026 Season

Overall Record: 12-4

Big 10 Record: 2-3

Previous 3 Games

1/13: W – 81 – 69 vs Notre Dame @ Away

1/10: W – 91 – 81 vs Georgia Tech @ Home

1/7: W – 81 – 77 vs Wake Forest @ Away

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Miami Personnel

Starters

Bench

Key Analytics

(Per KenPom.com – National Rank in ())

KenPom Ranking – 29

Offense

Adjusted Efficiency: 120.5 (44)

Adjusted Tempo: 69.9 (86)

Average Possession Length: 15.9 (48)

Effective Field Goal%: 57.5 (19)

Offensive Rebound%: 38.7 (12)

Three Point%: 34.4 (155)

Two Point %: 60.5 (12)

Defense

Adjusted Efficiency: 100.2 (36)

Adjusted Tempo: 69.9 (86)

Average Possession Length: 15.9 (48)

Effective Field Goal%: 48.7 (81)

Offensive Rebound%: 27.5 (54)

Three Point%: 34.2 (200)

Two Point %: 46.8 (36)

Clemson Advantages

Adjusted Efficiency – Defense

Clemson Defense: 96.8 (16)

Miami Offense: 120.5 (44)

Notes

This is strength-on-strength. Clemson has one of the most efficient defenses in the country. Miami’s offense runs through two veterans in Tre Donaldson and Malik Reneau. The Tigers have to throw a wrench into the Miami offense because Clemson can’t match bucket-for-bucket with the Hurricanes.

Turnover %

Clemson Offense: 14.1 (23)

Miami Defense: 20.2 (41)

Notes

Another strength-on-strength matchup. Miami’s defense thrives on turnovers; Clemson’s offense is stingy with the ball. The Tigers will struggle to win if Miami can force live-ball turnovers and play in transition. Clemson wants to limit possessions in this game, and that means limiting turnovers.

Offensive Rebounding %

Miami Offense: 38.7 (12)

Clemson Defense: 24.8 (9)

Notes

On paper, these are two evenly matched teams. Miami is one of the best in the country at rebounding its own misses, and Clemson is one of the best in the country at cleaning the defensive glass. This is another area where Clemson needs to play to its stats because the Hurricanes create easy opportunities off offensive rebounds.

Miami Advantages

Adjusted Efficiency – Defense

Miami Defense: 100.2 (36)

Clemson Offense: 117.8 (63)

Notes

I wouldn’t consider Clemson’s offense particularly dynamic, but they are fairly efficient. Miami’s defense has been solid against questionable competition. If the Tigers want to play the game at its desired pace, they have to sustain the offensive efficiency in this game.

Two Point % – Offense

Miami Offense: 60.5 (12)

Clemson Defense: 47.7 (52)

Notes

Their offense runs through Reneau in the paint. When they need a bucket, they send him to the block and let him do his thing. Freshman wing Shelton Henderson has a grown man frame and has converted 68% of his two-point attempts. Guards Tre Donaldson and Tru Washington both have good size and like to get downhill and finish at the basket.

Clemson’s rim protection had better be geared up because Miami is going to attack the rack.

Offensive Rebounding % – Defense

Miami Defense: 27.5 (54)

Clemson Offense: 31.4 (175)

Notes

Miami’s a decent rebounding team on both sides of the floor. Clemson, on the other hand, isn’t as good on the offensive glass as you would think. The Tigers need as many easy buckets as they can get, and offensive rebounding is one way for the Tigers to boost their offensive production, but that’s going to be tough against the Hurricanes.

Key Stat

Strength of Schedule

Clemson: +5.34 (53)

Miami: -2.34 (249)

Notes

I have no idea if this Miami team is any good. Their non-conference schedule featured two games against teams in the KenPom top 50 (Florida and BYU), and they lost both. Some coaches like to test their team early, and others like to rack up wins against cupcakes. Jai Lucas has been feasting on cupcakes all season.

The 15-2 record looks nice, and the analytics are impressive, but they don’t mean anything. We’ll know more about the real Miami team after tomorrow’s game.

Brief Thoughts

Miami looks good on paper, but I’m not sure how that carries over to the court against a team like Clemson.

The Hurricanes raided the Big 10 for talent this season, with Tre Donaldson coming over from Michigan and Malik Reneau matriculating from Indiana. The Hurricanes’ offense should run through them on the road. I don’t think they’ll be bothered too much by the road environment.

It’s interesting. Miami wants to run its offense through the post. Clemson tends to pull its post players away from the basket on offense. The Tigers are going to have to show that they can bang with Reneau and Udeh in the post and on the glass. The Hurricanes are going to have to prove their big men can guard away from the basket. Miami is a good rebounding team, but Clemson changes up the rebounding game when they pull opposing big men away from the basket.

It comes down to this. Miami wants to play fast, get into transition, and attack the basket. Clemson wants to take the air out of the ball on offense and build a wall in the paint on defense. Whichever team can force its opponent to play outside its comfort zone wins.

Predictions

KenPom

Clemson: 75

Miami: 71

Drew

Clemson: 71

Miami: 67

Staring Into the Crystal Ball

It’s another G.R.I.T. game for the Tigers. Miami has had an easy go of things recently. Clemson is the first team in the KenPom top 50 that the Canes have faced since their loss to BYU on November 27th. They are 4-0 in the ACC, but their best win is over KenPom #60 Wake Forest in a back-and-forth affair that ended 81-77.

Clemson is better than Wake, and they’re not the type of team you want to play as a step up in competition. This Clemson team makes the game of basketball unfun for its opponent. I don’t think the Hurricanes are ready for this level of frustration. The Tigers are going to double the post, build a wall at the basket, and make Miami shoot from the outside.

I don’t think the Hurricanes can hit enough jump shots to win.