Clemson Cracks Top 20 Again, Riding Road Dominance and Roster Overhaul
Clemson basketball continues to climb the national radar, checking in at No. 19 in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll released Jan. 28.
The Tigers (17-4 overall, 7-1 in ACC play) earned 200 points in the poll, making them the fourth-highest ranked team from the ACC-trailing only national powerhouse No. 4 Duke.
That ranking comes on the heels of a bounce-back performance. After a stumble against NC State on Jan.
20, Clemson responded with authority, steamrolling Georgia Tech on the road just four days later. That kind of resilience is becoming a hallmark of this team, which has now been ranked for three straight weeks after starting the season unranked.
But perhaps the most impressive stat? Clemson has won 12 straight road games in conference play-the longest active streak in the country and tied for the fourth-longest in ACC history.
That’s not just a hot streak; that’s a blueprint for how to win in a league known for its hostile environments and deep competition. Winning on the road in the ACC isn’t easy.
Doing it 12 times in a row? That’s a statement.
And they’re doing all this in the midst of a massive roster shakeup. Head coach Brad Brownell is navigating the biggest personnel turnover of his tenure.
Clemson brought in six players via the transfer portal, added four high school recruits, and returned just three players from last season’s squad. That kind of roster churn usually spells a rebuilding year.
Instead, Brownell has this group humming-and winning.
The Tigers now sit second in the ACC standings, right behind Duke. With a mix of veteran transfers and young talent, Clemson’s chemistry is clicking at the right time. They’re defending well, executing in crunch time, and showing the kind of maturity you don’t always expect from a newly assembled roster.
Up next, Clemson returns home to Littlejohn Coliseum to host Pitt (8-12, 1-6 ACC) on Jan. 31.
Tip-off is set for noon ET on ACC Network. It’s a game the Tigers will be favored in, but as this season has shown across college basketball, nothing comes easy-especially in conference play.
Here’s a look at the full Coaches Poll, where Clemson slots in at No. 19:
USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll (Top 25)
1.
Arizona (775 points)
2.
Michigan (723)
3.
UConn (716)
4.
Duke (686)
5.
Nebraska (634)
6.
Gonzaga (590)
7.
Houston (530)
8.
Michigan State (526)
9.
Iowa State (524)
10.
Illinois (520)
11.
Texas Tech (485)
12.
Purdue (462)
13.
BYU (432)
14.
Kansas (292)
15.
Vanderbilt (287)
16.
Arkansas (261)
17.
Virginia (258)
18.
North Carolina (233)
**19.
Clemson (200)**
20.
Louisville (186)
21.
Florida (176)
22.
Saint Louis (154)
23.
Alabama (120)
24.
St. John’s (95)
T-25. Miami (Ohio) (47)
T-25. Iowa (47)
Others receiving votes: Georgia (33), Tennessee (30), Texas A&M (19), Villanova (15), Saint Mary’s (9), SMU (4), Kentucky (3), Utah State (2), Liberty (1)
Clemson’s rise isn’t just about numbers in a poll-it’s about a team finding its identity, building chemistry on the fly, and proving it can win anywhere. If they keep this up, they won’t just be a surprise story-they’ll be a serious contender in March.