Clemson basketball is gearing up for another thrilling March Madness run, entering the NCAA Tournament as a No. 8 seed in the South region. Their first challenge?
A matchup against No. 9 seed Iowa on March 20 at 6:50 p.m. ET, broadcast on TNT from the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.
The stakes are high, as the winner will advance to face either No. 1 seed Florida or the winner of the Prairie View/Lehigh play-in game in the second round on March 22.
Clemson, boasting a 24-10 record, is making its third consecutive tournament appearance despite significant roster changes under coach Brad Brownell. With a blend of four freshmen, six transfers, and three returning players, the Tigers have shown resilience, finishing tied for fourth in the ACC and reaching the conference tournament semifinals. They’re aiming to break past the round of 64 for the fourth time during Brownell’s tenure.
On the other side, the Iowa Hawkeyes, with a 21-12 record, are making their tournament debut under coach Ben McCollum. They're led by standout senior guard Bennett Stirtz, who’s lighting up the scoreboard with an average of 20 points per game, ranking sixth in the Big Ten.
This matchup promises to be an exciting battle, with both teams eager to make their mark on the tournament stage.