Game: Boston College Eagles vs. Clemson Tigers

Date: January 13th at 7:00 PM ET

Where to Watch: ACC Network

After a dominant win at Notre Dame, Clemson has finally cracked the AP Top 25 for the first time this season, coming in at No. 22. On Tuesday night, the Tigers return home to host Boston College in a game where they are heavy favorites. Boston College enters this matchup struggling through ACC play, having opened conference action 0–3 and sitting at 7–9 overall. This contest qualifies as a Quad 1 matchup for the Eagles, a category in which they have played only once this season—and lost. Offensively, Boston College has been inefficient, averaging just 69.0 points per game (283rd in Division I), while defensively they have been respectable, allowing 67.9 points per game (39th).

Clemson, on the other hand, is red hot. The Tigers are 4–0 in ACC play and 14–3 overall. With Boston College ranked 176th in the NET, this is a Quad 4 matchup for Clemson, a quadrant in which they are a perfect 5–0 this season. Offensively, Clemson averages 77.8 points per game (126th in Division I), while their defense has been outstanding, allowing just 65.6 points per game (15th). This is a game where Clemson simply needs to take care of business—any lapse in focus could negatively impact their résumé heading into March.

Embed from Getty Images

Betting Overview

This game opened with Clemson listed as a 17.5-point favorite, though some books have shifted slightly toward Boston College, with the line now sitting between 16.5 and 17 points. The moneyline offers little practical value unless you’re extremely bullish on the Eagles, with Boston College priced around +1300 and Clemson at roughly -2800. The total has seen notable movement, rising from the opening number of 130.5 to its current range of 134.5.

KenPom Ratings

There is a significant gap between these two teams in the KenPom ratings. Clemson ranks 29th nationally with a net rating of +20.76, while Boston College sits at 153rd with a net rating of +0.81. The Eagles have an adjusted offensive efficiency of 103.5 (271st nationally) and an adjusted defensive efficiency of 102.7 (67th). Clemson checks in with an adjusted offensive efficiency of 117.9 (59th nationally) and an adjusted defensive efficiency of 97.2 (18th). These metrics underscore Clemson’s status as one of the stronger teams in Division I, while Boston College grades out much closer to the national average.

Betting Trends

Over the past few seasons, these teams have faced off several times. Dating back to 2022, Clemson and Boston College have met six times, with each team winning three games. Boston College has had more success against the spread in those matchups, covering in four of the six, while totals have split evenly at three overs and three unders.

This season, Boston College has struggled from a betting perspective, posting a 5–11 ATS record overall. On the road, they are 2–2 ATS, with all four games coming as underdogs. With 2–3 days of rest, the Eagles are 5–4 ATS, and they are 2–1 ATS in ACC play. Totals have strongly favored the under, hitting in 10 of 16 games this season. On the road, totals have split 2–2, while games with 2–3 days off have leaned under, hitting in five of nine contests. In ACC play, the under has hit in two of three games.

Clemson enters this matchup at 9–6–1 ATS on the year. At home, the Tigers are 3–4–1 ATS, with all of those games coming as favorites. With 2–3 days of rest, they are also 3–4–1 ATS, and they remain unbeaten against the number in ACC play at 3–0–1. Totals have leaned under in Clemson games as well, cashing in nine of 16 overall and six of eight at home. With 2–3 days off, Clemson totals have split evenly at four overs and four unders, as well as a 2–2 split in conference play.

Final Thoughts

This matchup is clearly lopsided in Clemson’s favor, but Boston College has shown an ability to stay competitive at times during its first three ACC games. I think the Eagles can hang around enough to cover the spread here. As for the total, I would give a very slight lean to the over.