Seth Greenberg Praises Brad Brownell’s Culture-Building at Clemson: “They Win the Clemson Way”
Clemson basketball is off to a fast start this season, sitting at 6-1 with a résumé already featuring a Quad-1 win over Georgia and a Quad-2 victory against West Virginia. But beyond the early success in the win column, what’s catching the attention of national analysts is the identity this team is building-and the man behind it all.
During a recent broadcast on ACC Network, ESPN’s Seth Greenberg didn’t hold back in his praise for Clemson head coach Brad Brownell. Greenberg, a respected voice in the college hoops world, called Brownell “one of the most under-appreciated coaches in all of college basketball,” and pointed to the culture he’s created as the foundation of Clemson’s early success.
Greenberg highlighted how Brownell has built a roster full of what he calls “Clemson guys”-players who embody the grit, selflessness, and no-nonsense approach that defines this program. According to Greenberg, these are players who are “fiercely competitive, have great attitudes, tremendous work ethic,” and most importantly, are “all about winning.”
And it’s not just about effort-it’s about execution. “They impose their identity on the game,” Greenberg said.
“They don’t make mistakes. They stay within themselves.”
That identity has become the hallmark of Brownell’s teams, and it’s showing up in the way this year’s group competes.
What makes this year’s start even more impressive is the roster turnover Brownell had to navigate. Of the core rotation from last season, only starting point guard Dillon Hunter, along with sophomores Ace Buckner and Dallas Thomas, returned.
RJ Godfrey also made his way back to Clemson after a season at Georgia. That’s a lot of change to manage, but Brownell has done it seamlessly-reloading the roster without losing the program’s DNA.
Clemson has already earned the nickname “Cardiac Cats” for their ability to battle back from adversity. In both the Georgia and WVU games, the Tigers erased double-digit deficits to come out on top-two early-season gut checks that this team passed with flying colors.
That resilience? It’s not random.
It’s a product of the culture Brownell has instilled.
Greenberg also gave Brownell credit for doing all of this at a school known first and foremost for its football program. “The consistency that he’s been able to do at a football-centric school… is absolutely tremendous,” Greenberg said.
It’s a fair point-sustaining success in basketball at a place where football dominates the headlines isn’t easy. Yet Brownell has managed to make Clemson hoops a program that demands attention.
Next up, the Tigers return home to face Alabama A&M. It’s another opportunity to see this team’s identity in action-one built on defense, toughness, and a collective buy-in that’s hard to fake.
If the early returns are any indication, this Clemson group isn’t just winning-they’re doing it their way. The Clemson way.