Clemson's basketball journey continues as the Tigers snag an at-large bid into the 2026 NCAA Tournament, stepping in as a No. 8 seed. They'll square off against No. 9 seed Iowa in Tampa, Fla., on March 20.
This marks the sixth NCAA appearance under the guidance of Head Coach Brad Brownell and their third consecutive trip to the dance. Overall, it's Clemson's 16th time in the tournament since their debut in 1980.
For fans eager to catch the action live, tickets are limited, so checking out NCAATickets.com or secondary markets is the way to go.
The Tigers head into the tournament with a solid 24-10 record, including a 12-6 run in ACC play. Leading the charge is RJ Godfrey, who hails from Suwanee, Ga.
Godfrey's been a force, earning Honorable Mention All-ACC honors while posting career highs across the board. With an average of 11.9 points per game, he's racked up 406 points, 180 rebounds, and 22 steals, shooting an impressive .612 from the field over 853 minutes.
Dillon Hunter has also been a standout, showcasing loyalty and skill as one of only three ACC players to stick with the same school for four years. His career-best 7.5 points per game and 103 assists highlight a season of growth. Hunter’s improvements in shooting percentages and his contribution of over 100 rebounds make him a key defensive asset, ranking second in team steals.
Clemson's "Everybody All the Time" mantra has been more than just words-it's been the backbone of their success. With eight players averaging over 6.0 points per game and seven logging at least 20 minutes, the Tigers boast a top-20 defensive rating according to Ken Pomeroy.
This season marks a historic achievement for Clemson, as they secure at least 23 wins for the fourth straight year, culminating in a 98-40 record since the 2022-23 season-second-best in the ACC.
Reflecting on their NCAA history, Clemson's most memorable runs came in 1980 and 2024, both times reaching the Elite Eight. In 1980, under Bill Foster, they made a splash by winning three games before falling to UCLA. Fast forward to 2024, Coach Brownell led them past New Mexico, Baylor, and Arizona before Alabama halted their journey.
Coach Brownell's tournament pedigree is impressive. He's led three different programs to the NCAA Tournament, including UNC Wilmington in 2003 and 2006, Wright State in 2007, and multiple times with Clemson, showcasing his knack for building competitive teams from the get-go.