Yale @ Clemson preview

Clemson got a lift with the return of junior guard Clyde Trapp and he hopes to make more of an impact when the Tigers host streaking Yale on Sunday. Trapp, who tore his ACL during a practice in late June, contributed only four points in 12 minutes as Clemson snapped a four-game slide with a 68-39 victory over Jacksonville on Friday but his presence was felt.

“All through the process, I just tried to be a great leader," Trapp told reporters. “It's rough coming in and not being able to play 30 minutes a game. I just tried to be there for them." Clemson resumes its ACC season against Miami (Fla.) on Dec. 31, but not before facing a strong challenge from the Bulldogs on Sunday. Yale, which has reached the NCAA Tournament twice in the last four years as Ivy League champion, hasn't played since an 83-80 overtime victory at Massachusetts on Dec. 11 gave it six straight victories. Two of the Bulldogs' three losses this season have come on the road against major conference teams in Oklahoma State 64-57 on Nov. 17 and Penn State 58-56 on Nov. 23.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, No TV

ABOUT YALE (9-3): Junior forward Paul Atkinson averages a team-high 16.9 points to go along with 7.5 rebounds, and has scored at least 12 in every game this season. Junior guard Azar Swain averages 15.7 points after scoring 24 against UMass - his third contest of 2019-20 with at least that many. Sunday's game will be a homecoming of sorts for senior forward and Columbia, S.C., native Jordan Bruner (12.1 points, club-most 8.9 rebounds), who has reached double figures in scoring in the last six contests.

ABOUT CLEMSON (6-5): Junior forward Aamir Simms paces the team in scoring (12.8) and rebounding (7.7) after totaling 39 points in his last two games. Senior guard Tevin Mack (12.2 points) grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds Friday, raising his average to 5.4. Senior guard Curran Scott (7.4 points) scored a season-high 15 against Jacksonville.

TIP-INS

1. The Tigers have recorded 143 assists and 143 turnovers this season.

2. The Bulldogs were No. 60 in the NCAA's first NET rankings - the highest rating for any New England school.

3. Clemson is 5-0 versus non-major conference teams, winning by an average of 26.8 points.

PREDICTION: Yale 72, Clemson 69