BYU Prepares for Clemson Showdown With Two Familiar Utah Faces

By Utah Sports Ink Staff

When BYU steps onto the floor of Madison Square Garden this Tuesday, December 9 at 4:30 PM MST, the Cougars won’t just be facing a strong 7–2 Clemson team from the ACC. They’ll also be staring across the court at two players whose basketball journeys began right here along the Wasatch Front.

For Utah sports fans, this matchup carries national significance and a uniquely local twist.

**L to R: Carter Welling and Jake Wahlin now at Clemson**

Welling out of Corner Canyon High and Wahlin from Timpview will be familiar faces for Wasatch Front sports fans as Clemson faces BYU at Madison Square Garden Tuesday, Dec 9 at 4:30 PM MST. Live on ESPN.

Clemson’s Utah Connection: Welling & Wahlin Return to the Spotlight

Few Power Five programs can say two rotation players hail from Utah Valley high schools—but Clemson can.

Carter Welling – Corner Canyon → Utah Valley → Clemson

The 6'11" junior forward has been one of the Tigers’ most effective frontcourt pieces this season.

19.5 minutes per game
10.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG
60% shooting
Has started 4 of 9 games

Welling’s size, touch, and rebounding make him a legitimate challenge for BYU’s interior defense.

Jake Wahlin – Timpview → Utah → Clemson

Wahlin, meanwhile, has emerged as a steady two-way force. The 6'10" junior has started all nine games and brings versatility at both ends.

21.8 minutes per game
8.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG
40% from three, 52% overall shooting

For Wasatch Front hoops fans, watching two former Utah high school standouts play major roles for an ACC contender—on the game’s most iconic stage—is a rare treat.

Clemson at a Glance: A High-Scoring ACC Threat

Clemson enters the matchup at 7–2, with losses to Alabama and Georgetown, and quality wins over Georgia and West Virginia. Team statistics of note:

85 PPG
46% from the field / 33% from three
Picked 7th in the ACC in preseason media polling

The Tigers push the pace, share the scoring load, and rely on size and length to dictate matchups.

BYU: One Last Major Test Before Big 12 Play

Under second-year head coach Kevin Young, BYU has opened the season at 7–1, stacking up impressive wins over Villanova, Wisconsin, Miami, and Dayton. Their only loss came at the hands of national contender Connecticut.

The Clemson matchup serves as BYU’s final significant non-conference test before heading into Big 12 play at Kansas State. Notable statistics for BYU so far this season are:

85 PPG (same as Clemson)
49% FG, 37% 3PT
9.5 turnovers per game (opponents average 12)
Four double-digit scorers:

Dybantsa – 19.4 PPG
Saunders – 18.9 PPG (42% from three)
Wright – 16.9 PPG, 6.0+ APG, 42% from three
Davis – 10.4 PPG (48% from three)

Keita leads the team with 7.0 RPG and 16 blocks on the season

BYU’s balanced scoring and elite perimeter accuracy are major strengths in high-tempo matchups.

Life After Dawson Baker: BYU’s Rotation Still Taking Shape

With Dawson Baker out for the season, Kevin Young and his staff are still searching for reliable bench scoring as Big 12 play approaches.

Mboup provides strong relief minutes for Keita.
But BYU needs one of Kostic, Mrus, Boskovic, or Diomande to emerge as a consistent perimeter scoring threat to replace Baker’s shot-making punch.

Expect the Cougars to use the Clemson game to explore rotations and identify dependable second-unit production.

Quick Odds Snapshot

There’s a good chance this matchup turns into a high-scoring game, given how efficiently both teams score and how fast they play. However, official point spreads and totals have not yet been released at the time of this story’s posting.

Mountain & Main will update this article as soon as the major sportsbooks publish their lines.

Mountain & Main Prediction Angle

Expect a tight, high-efficiency battle with storylines Utah sports fans won’t want to miss:

Two former Wasatch Front standouts (Welling and Wahlin) taking center stage at Madison Square Garden… against BYU… in what may be the Cougars’ final résumé-building opportunity before Big 12 play.

Given BYU’s offensive firepower and steady ball handling, the Cougars appear positioned for a narrow win—but Clemson’s interior strength and Utah-grown forwards make this a matchup that could swing either way.

Regardless of the final score, Utah will be watching its own on both sidelines.

Game Day Updates for BYU vs Clemson

What the Sportsbooks Are Saying About BYU vs. Clemson

BYU enters today’s matchup as a 7.5-point favorite, but this game presents some fascinating statistical tension—particularly on the glass.

Where BYU should have the greatest concern is rebounding. Clemson is big, physical, and consistent on the boards. The Tigers average 42.3 rebounds per game, compared to 39.3 for BYU. More importantly, Clemson owns a +9.8 rebounding margin, nearly double BYU’s +5.1. Against high-level opponents this season, BYU has shown moments where they’ve surrendered too many offensive rebounds, extending possessions and creating momentum swings.

Turnovers will also matter. BYU is averaging 9.5 turnovers per game, while Clemson sits at 8.8. The Cougars were –3 in the turnover battle vs. Miami, and they can’t afford a repeat performance. Cold shooting stretches, offensive rebounds allowed, and loose ball control have been the three trouble spots that have flipped momentum in BYU’s toughest games.

If BYU tightens those areas—especially rebounding—the Cougars have a strong chance to cover the 7.5-point spread. Rebounding may ultimately tell the story of the night.

For fans along the Wasatch Front, this is a fun one: a high-level matchup with added intrigue thanks to Jake Wahlin and Carter Welling seeing meaningful minutes for Clemson. Cougar fans will hope both local standouts play well—but still walk away with a BYU win.

What’s also becoming clear: BYU’s aggressive pre-conference schedule is paying dividends. With the Big 12 shaping up once again as the nation’s deepest league, these early tests matter. Arizona (#1), Iowa State (#4), Houston (#7), BYU (#10), and Texas Tech (#16) give the conference a brutal top tier. BYU’s ability to weather high-pressure games now should serve them well when league play begins.

Wasatch Front Meets Madison Square Garden