Clemson Heads to Cameron Indoor Chasing History, Momentum, and a Statement Win
It’s been 31 years since Clemson last walked out of Cameron Indoor Stadium with a win. That’s not just a stat - it’s a shadow.
But on Feb. 14, the No. 18 Tigers have a chance to flip the script in a matchup that’s loaded with implications, both in the ACC standings and the broader NCAA Tournament picture.
Standing in their way? The sixth-ranked Duke Blue Devils, a team that hasn’t lost at home all season and boasts one of the most dynamic players in college basketball in Cameron Boozer.
Let’s break down what makes this showdown so compelling - and why Clemson might just be the team to shake things up in Durham.
Clemson’s Road Warrior Mentality
Winning on the road in the ACC is never easy. Doing it 14 straight times? That’s rare air.
Clemson enters this game with the longest active conference road winning streak in the country - tied for the second-longest in ACC history, matching Duke’s own run from 1962 to 1964. This isn’t a fluke.
The Tigers have been consistent and composed away from Littlejohn Coliseum, averaging 72.2 points per game on the road while holding opponents to just 62. That’s a better margin than they’ve managed at home.
What makes this run even more impressive is how much this team has changed. Head coach Brad Brownell has navigated the largest roster turnover of his tenure, bringing in six transfers and four freshmen to complement three returners. And it’s the newcomers who are leading the charge: RJ Godfrey (11.6 points per game), Carter Welling (10.4), and Jestin Porter (10.3) have become the go-to scorers.
This group may be new, but they’ve developed fast - and they’ve proven they can win in hostile environments.
Duke’s Fortress, Boozer’s Brilliance
Cameron Indoor Stadium is one of the toughest places to play in college basketball - and Duke is making sure it stays that way. The Blue Devils are undefeated at home this season and have won 21 straight games in Durham against Clemson. Their only two losses this year came by razor-thin margins - three points or fewer - against ranked opponents on the road or neutral courts.
Duke’s success starts with defense. The Blue Devils allow just 63.5 points per game - the fewest in the ACC and sixth-fewest in the country. Combine that with an offense that averages 82.9 points, and you’ve got a team that can beat you on both ends.
At the center of it all is Cameron Boozer. The son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, he’s not just living up to the name - he’s forging his own legacy.
Boozer leads Duke in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. He’s first in the ACC in scoring (23 points per game) and total rebounds (239), and he’s projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
This is a player who can take over a game - and he often does.
History Isn’t on Clemson’s Side - But That’s the Point
Clemson hasn’t won at Cameron since Jan. 4, 1995.
That’s 21 straight losses in Durham, including eight under Brownell. Their only other road wins against Duke came in the '70s and early '80s.
So yes, history is stacked against the Tigers - but that’s exactly what makes this opportunity so meaningful.
This is also the first time these two programs have met as ranked teams since the 2017-18 season. Both are projected to make the NCAA Tournament, but a win here would be a résumé booster for Clemson - and a statement that this team is more than just a feel-good story.
The Tigers have won two of the last three meetings, including a 77-71 win at home last season. Duke edged them out 72-71 in the 2023-24 campaign, so there’s recent familiarity and competitiveness between these squads.
What’s at Stake
A Clemson win would not only snap a decades-long drought in Durham - it would also move the Tigers into a tie for first place in the ACC standings and give them a crucial head-to-head tiebreaker over Duke. That’s the kind of momentum that can carry a team deep into March.
But to get there, they’ll have to solve Duke’s defense, contain Boozer, and find a way to score in one of the most electric - and unforgiving - environments in college basketball.
The Tigers have defied expectations all season. Now, they’ll try to defy history.
Tip-off is set for noon ET on ESPN.