Clemson Men’s Basketball Opens Season with Dominant Victory
The Clemson Tigers started their season with a commanding 88-38 win over the New Hampshire Wildcats. The victory marked an impressive 1-0 record to kick off the year.
Defensive Excellence
Clemson’s defense was exceptional, limiting New Hampshire to just one successful 3-point shot from 18 attempts in the first half. This defensive pressure set the tone for the entire game.
Balanced Offensive Effort
Offensively, Clemson spread the scoring across the roster, with 10 players logging at least 15 minutes each. The Tigers scored 43 points in the first half with nine different players contributing, although none reached double digits in that period.
Coach Brownell’s Strategy
Head coach Brad Brownell utilized a deep rotation, pulling all five starters within the first five minutes and continuing heavy bench use throughout the game. In total, 12 players participated, which is more than usual for a Brownell-led team.
“I think you see that a lot of guys can contribute,” Brownell said. “I thought our starters did some really good things establishing the tone and the way we were gonna play.”
Key Performers
Redshirt freshman Ace Buckner led the Tigers with 18 points in 20 minutes on the court. Six players scored between 7 and 11 points, and every player who entered the game scored, except freshman Chase Thompson.
Significance of the Win
This 50-point victory represents the largest margin of victory for Brad Brownell’s team in a season opener.
Author’s Summary: Clemson men's basketball showcased a strong defense and balanced scoring in their season opener, earning Coach Brownell his biggest opening win with deep team contributions.