NCAAB · Final

Clemson Tigers Edge SMU Mustangs in Close Contest

Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 9:00 PM ET · Littlejohn Coliseum

Clemson Tigers 74, SMU Mustangs 70, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won SMU Mustangs vs Clemson Tigers?

Clemson Tigers beat SMU Mustangs 74-70 at Littlejohn Coliseum on January 7, 2026.

Who was favored in SMU Mustangs vs Clemson Tigers?

Clemson Tigers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -192 (about 66% implied). The favorite won.

In a tightly contested matchup, the Clemson Tigers secured a narrow victory over the SMU Mustangs, finishing the game with a score of 74-70. This game showcased the competitive nature of both teams, with Clemson improving its home record to 14-3 and SMU falling to 12-4 overall.

Clemson entered the game with a strong home record of 13-3, having won their last five games, including a recent victory against Pittsburgh where they won 73-68. Their last ten games reflect a solid performance with an 8-2 record, averaging 75.0 points scored while allowing 69.2 points per game. In contrast, SMU, with a record of 12-3, was on a three-game winning streak, having scored impressively, averaging 92.7 points in their last ten games while allowing 76.7 points. Their recent form included a dominant 97-83 win against North Carolina, showcasing their offensive capabilities.

Clemson’s performance at home has been particularly impressive, as they maintained a perfect 5-0 record in their last five home games. SMU, however, has struggled on the road with an away record of 1-2 in their last three games. The previous meetings between these two teams have favored Clemson, who holds a 2-0 record against SMU in their last encounters, winning both games in the 2025 season.

In terms of injuries, the block does not specify any players missing from either team, suggesting both squads were at full strength for this important matchup. The betting odds provided by DraftKings indicated Clemson as favorites with a spread of -3.5 and a moneyline of -192. Meanwhile, SMU was priced at +160 on the moneyline, reflecting the competitive nature of the game.

The game took place at Littlejohn Coliseum, where the atmosphere was charged, and the conditions were ideal for basketball. Fans witnessed a thrilling contest that saw both teams exchanging leads throughout the game. Key moments included crucial free throws made by players from both teams in the closing minutes, which ultimately secured Clemson's victory.

As the game progressed, Clemson's Jaron Pierre Jr. and Dillon Hunter were pivotal in maintaining the lead, contributing significantly with free throws down the stretch. Pierre Jr. made a critical three-point jumper late in the game, pushing the score to 74-70, solidifying Clemson's position as they held off SMU's attempts to close the gap.

This matchup highlighted the strengths of both teams: Clemson's defensive resilience and SMU's high-scoring offense. Viewers were treated to a showcase of skill and strategy, making this fixture a compelling watch for basketball fans.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	CLEM -3.5	149.5 o -110 / u -110	SMU Mustangs +160 · Clemson Tigers -192

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsRJ Godfrey17Clemson Tigers
AssistsDillon Hunter4Clemson Tigers
ReboundsJake Wahlin8Clemson Tigers
PointsBoopie Miller23SMU Mustangs
AssistsB.J. Edwards4SMU Mustangs
ReboundsSamet Yigitoglu11SMU Mustangs

Recent form

Clemson Tigers

Last 10: 8-2Streak W575 scored · 69.2 allowed per game5-0 at home

W73-68at Pittsburgh PanthersJan 3
W64-61at Syracuse OrangeDec 31
W68-65vs Cincinnati BearcatsDec 21
W68-61vs South Carolina GamecocksDec 17
W70-63vs Mercer BearsDec 13
L64-67at BYU CougarsDec 9
L84-90at Alabama Crimson TideDec 4
W92-56vs Alabama A&M BulldogsNov 29
W97-94at Georgia BulldogsNov 23
W70-67vs West Virginia MountaineersNov 21

SMU Mustangs

Last 10: 8-2Streak W392.7 scored · 76.7 allowed per game1-2 away

W97-83vs North Carolina Tar HeelsJan 3
W110-63vs Cal State Fullerton TitansDec 28
W99-82vs Central Arkansas BearsDec 21
L77-89at LSU TigersDec 14
W93-80vs Texas A&M AggiesDec 7
L69-88at Vanderbilt CommodoresDec 4
W87-81at Mississippi State BulldogsNov 29
W89-72vs Radford HighlandersNov 25
W100-69vs Arkansas State Red WolvesNov 22
W106-60vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden LionsNov 19

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Duke	35-3	-	17-1
Virginia	30-6	2	15-3
Miami	26-9	4	13-5
North Carolina	24-9	5	12-6
Clemson	24-11	5	12-6
Louisville	24-11	6	11-7
NC State	20-14	7	10-8
Florida State	18-15	7	10-8
California	22-12	8	9-9
Stanford	20-13	8	9-9
Virginia Tech	19-13	9	8-10
SMU	20-14	9	8-10
Wake Forest	18-17	10	7-11
Syracuse	15-17	11	6-12
Pittsburgh	13-20	12	5-13
Notre Dame	13-18	13	4-14
Boston College	11-20	13	4-14
Georgia Tech	11-20	15	2-16

Box score

Stat	SMU Mustangs	Clemson Tigers
Field goals	19-51	24-56
Field goal %	37	43
Three-pointers	6-17	9-31
Three-point %	35	29
Free throws	26-29	17-24
Free throw %	90	71
Rebounds	37	33
Offensive rebounds	12	11
Defensive rebounds	25	22
Assists	10	13
Steals	5	6
Blocks	2	1
Turnovers	13	9
Team turnovers	1	1
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	10	10
Fast-break points	4	8
Points in the paint	22	30
Fouls	23	20
Largest lead	0	15
Lead changes	0	0
Time in front	0	97

How the scoring went

2nd Half37-50Butta Johnson makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jake Wahlin assists)
2nd Half38-50Jaron Pierre Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half39-50Mitchell Holmes makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half40-50Mitchell Holmes makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half40-53RJ Godfrey makes 25-foot three point jumper (Dillon Hunter assists)
2nd Half41-53Samet Yigitoglu makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half42-53Samet Yigitoglu makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half42-55Nick Davidson makes 5-foot hook shot (Dillon Hunter assists)
2nd Half43-55Boopie Miller makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half44-55Boopie Miller makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half44-56Nick Davidson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half44-57Nick Davidson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half46-57Boopie Miller makes 11-foot jumper
2nd Half47-57Boopie Miller makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half47-59RJ Godfrey makes layup (Jestin Porter assists)
2nd Half47-60RJ Godfrey makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half47-62Dillon Hunter makes layup
2nd Half50-62Jermaine O'Neal Jr. makes 24-foot three point jumper (Samet Yigitoglu assists)
2nd Half52-62Samet Yigitoglu makes 2-foot dunk (B.J. Edwards assists)
2nd Half53-62Boopie Miller makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half54-62Boopie Miller makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half54-63Nick Davidson makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half54-64Nick Davidson makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half56-64Samet Yigitoglu makes 5-foot hook shot (B.J. Edwards assists)
2nd Half58-64Boopie Miller makes 16-foot jumper
2nd Half58-66RJ Godfrey makes layup
2nd Half58-67RJ Godfrey makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half61-67Boopie Miller makes 24-foot three point jumper
2nd Half61-68RJ Godfrey makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half62-68B.J. Edwards makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half63-68B.J. Edwards makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half63-71Butta Johnson makes 23-foot three point jumper (Dillon Hunter assists)
2nd Half64-71Jaron Pierre Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half65-71Jaron Pierre Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half66-71Boopie Miller makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half67-71Boopie Miller makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half67-72Jake Wahlin makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half67-73Dillon Hunter makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half67-74Dillon Hunter makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half70-74Jaron Pierre Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jermaine O'Neal Jr. assists)