Andrew Pace
Clemson University's basketball team, the Clemson Tigers, has a long history in the NCAA Division I. The Tigers have reached the NCAA tournament 14 times in the modern era, advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16 five times, with their best performance reaching the Elite Eight twice. In 2023, the Tigers were left out of the NCAA Tournament and named No. 1 seed for NIT. However, in 2024, the Tigers returned to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 6 seed in the West Region, facing No. 11 seed New Mexico in the first round. Clemson's basketball team has had its ups and downs over the years, but they continue to be a competitive force in college basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2024, 2025 |
| Clemson Basketball Team's Performance | Clemson made it to the Sweet 16 in 2024. In 2025, Clemson experienced a huge success in the regular season but lost to McNeese State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. |
| Opponents | Clemson played against New Mexico, Baylor, and McNeese State. |
| Score | Clemson lost to McNeese State with a score of 69-67. |
| Coach | Brad Brownell |
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What You'll Learn
- Clemson Tigers men's basketball team has reached the NCAA tournament 14 times
- The Tigers struggled offensively in March Madness 2025
- Clemson's 2024 March Madness status was unaffected by their poor performance in the ACC tournament
- Clemson Tigers made it to the Sweet 16 in 2024
- Clemson Tigers lost to McNeese State in 2025
Clemson Tigers men's basketball team has reached the NCAA tournament 14 times
The Clemson Tigers men's basketball team has a long history, with the university sponsoring its first men's basketball team over a century ago in the 1911-12 season. The Tigers have reached the NCAA tournament 14 times in the modern era, most recently in 2024.
Clemson's first two basketball games were both played in Greenville, South Carolina, on February 9, 1912. The Tigers won their first game 46-12 against Furman, followed by a 78-6 victory over the Butler Guards. The Tigers won their first seven games, the longest streak to open a program among the current 15 ACC schools.
Clemson's best season under Coach Barnes was his third year, when he led the team to a 16-1 start and a #2 national ranking. The Tigers ended the season 23-10 and ranked #8 in the final USA Today poll. Barnes brought respect back to the program, with the Tigers ranked fifth in the nation in the preseason poll of 1997-1998.
Under Coach Brad Brownell, the Tigers have made four NCAA Tournament appearances, most recently in 2024. In 2017-18, the Tigers made their first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2010-11, beating New Mexico State and Auburn before losing to Kansas. In 2019-20, the Tigers beat Duke and North Carolina back-to-back, as well as #5 Louisville and #6 Florida State. The 2023-24 season was one of the most successful in Clemson history.
Clemson has advanced to the Sweet 16 five times, most recently in 2024. The Tigers have reached the Elite Eight twice, in 1980 and 2024. Clemson's home court, Littlejohn Coliseum, has been the scene of 55 wins over ranked teams (23 in the Top 10) since 1968.
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The Tigers struggled offensively in March Madness 2025
The Clemson Tigers men's basketball team has a long and storied history, with the team reaching the NCAA tournament 14 times since 1980. However, in March Madness 2025, the Tigers faced a tough challenge and struggled to find their offensive rhythm.
Going into the tournament, Clemson had experienced huge success in the regular season, setting a program record for total wins and conference victories. They had defeated powerhouses like Kentucky, Duke, and North Carolina, and their home court, Littlejohn Coliseum, is known as one of the ACC's toughest venues. However, their luck ran out when they faced McNeese State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Tigers' offense sputtered, and they found themselves in a 13-point hole at halftime, trailing 31-13. They were just one point away from tying the tournament record for the fewest points by a single team in a half. Clemson's shooting accuracy plummeted, with a dismal 5-of-24 shooting and an abysmal 1-of-15 from the 3-point line. Jaeden Zackery stood out as the only Clemson player to make more than one basket, while three players couldn't find the net despite multiple attempts.
McNeese State's defense played a crucial role in Clemson's offensive struggles. They employed a 2-3 zone defense, forcing Clemson into deep shooting instead of their preferred inside scoring. McNeese also took advantage of Clemson's lack of depth, with key players like Dillon Hunter out due to injury. The Tigers' replacements struggled to fill the void, and McNeese's athleticism overwhelmed them on the glass, securing extra possessions and second-chance points.
Despite a late rally, Clemson's efforts fell short, and they ultimately lost to McNeese State by a score of 69-67. It was a disappointing outcome for the Tigers, who had entered the tournament with high hopes. Their offensive woes proved to be their undoing, and they were unable to find their rhythm until it was too little too late in the second half.
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Clemson's 2024 March Madness status was unaffected by their poor performance in the ACC tournament
Clemson's men's basketball team has made it to the 2024 March Madness tournament. This marks the team's 14th appearance in the tournament, with their most recent appearance being in 2021. Clemson earned an at-large bid into the tournament as a No. 6 seed and will face the No. 11 seed New Mexico in Memphis, Tennessee, on Friday, March 22, in the first round. The game is scheduled to tip off at 3:10 p.m. ET on TruTV.
Clemson's appearance in the 2024 March Madness tournament was unaffected by their poor performance in the ACC tournament. The Tigers lost their regular-season finale to Wake Forest, landing them the No. 6 seed in the ACC Tournament. They were then dismantled by Boston College in the ACC Tournament second round. Despite these losses, Clemson's March Madness status remained unaffected. The team had a strong non-conference performance and picked up some marquee wins in conference play, which helped them secure a spot in the tournament.
Clemson's men's basketball team is led by head coach Brad Brownell, who has taken the team to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in his 14 years as head coach. The team has had a successful season, with a record of 21-11, including an 11-9 mark in regular-season ACC games. Clemson's players have also received individual accolades, with PJ Hall being named First Team All-ACC and Ian Schieffelin being named the ACC's Most Improved Player. Joseph Girard III and Jack Clark joined the team this season, adding rebounding and 3-point shooting to their arsenal.
Despite their poor performance in the ACC tournament, Clemson's men's basketball team has high hopes for their appearance in the 2024 March Madness tournament. This will be the team's fourth appearance in the tournament under coach Brad Brownell, and they will be aiming to reach the Final Four for the first time in program history. Clemson's players and coaches are excited and grateful for the opportunity to compete in the tournament, and they will be looking to advance past the first round and make school history.
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Clemson Tigers made it to the Sweet 16 in 2024
The Clemson Tigers men's basketball team has made it to the NCAA Tournament in 2024, marking their 14th appearance in March Madness. Led by head coach Brad Brownell, the Tigers secured the No. 6 seed in the West Region and faced off against the No. 11 seed New Mexico in Memphis, Tennessee, on Friday, March 22, in the first round. This marks the fourth time under Brownell's leadership that the Tigers have advanced to the tournament.
Clemson entered the tournament with a 21-11 record, showcasing their excellence in non-conference performance and securing several marquee wins in conference play. The Tigers' starting lineup included notable players such as PJ Hall, Joseph Girard III, and Ian Schieffelin. Hall, a Spartanburg native, was a pivotal force for the team, leading them in points and blocked shots per game. Girard III, a transfer from Syracuse, bolstered the team's 3-point shooting prowess, while Schieffelin's impressive improvement earned him the ACC's Most Improved Player accolade.
The Tigers' journey in the 2024 NCAA Tournament began with a matchup against the New Mexico Lobos, who held a 26-9 record. Clemson's victory in this game would set up a second-round encounter against either the No. 3 seed Baylor or No. 14 seed Colgate on Sunday, March 24, at the FedExForum, the home of the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies.
While the Clemson Tigers have never reached the Final Four in program history, they have previously advanced to the Elite Eight in 1980 and made four appearances in the Sweet 16 in 1980, 1990, 1997, and 2018. With a mix of talented players, a strong non-conference record, and key wins in the ACC, the Clemson Tigers are poised to make a strong showing in the 2024 NCAA Tournament and continue their march towards basketball glory.
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Clemson Tigers lost to McNeese State in 2025
The Clemson Tigers men's basketball team has a long history, dating back to 1911-12, when Clemson first sponsored a men's basketball team. The Tigers have reached the NCAA tournament 14 times since 1980, advancing to the Sweet 16 five times and reaching the Elite Eight twice in 1980 and 2024. However, in March 2025, the Clemson Tigers suffered a disappointing loss to McNeese State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The 12th-seeded McNeese State Cowboys upset the No. 5 Clemson Tigers with a final score of 69-67. This was the first time the Cowboys had won a game in the Division I men's NCAA Tournament. The Tigers struggled offensively and had a disappointing first half, scoring only 13 points. They shot just 20.8% from the field and 6.7% from three-point range in the first half. The Cowboys, on the other hand, played aggressively and dominated the rebounding margin, out-rebounding the Tigers 43-36. They also forced 10 Clemson turnovers in the first half, contributing to their early lead.
Clemson made a late comeback, unleashing a barrage of threes in the final 45 seconds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the determined McNeese State squad. The loss was a surprising upset for Clemson, especially considering their impressive season leading up to the tournament. The Tigers had set a program record for total wins and conference victories and had defeated notable teams such as Kentucky, Duke, and North Carolina during the regular season. However, their performance in the tournament fell short, and they became the first major upset of March Madness 2025.
The loss to McNeese State highlighted some of Clemson's weaknesses, including their struggles with deep-shooting and a lack of depth, especially with the absence of Dillon Hunter due to injury. The Tigers' replacements were unable to elevate their performances to match the level of their opponents. Despite Clemson's efforts, McNeese State's athleticism and aggressive play kept them ahead, securing their first-ever win in the Division I men's NCAA Tournament and knocking the Clemson Tigers out of the tournament in the first round.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Clemson basketball did not make it to the 2023 NCAA Tournament. They were, however, named the No. 1 seed for the NIT.
Yes, Clemson basketball made it to the 2024 NCAA Tournament as a No. 6 seed in the West Region. They played against No. 11 seed New Mexico in the first round.
Yes, Clemson basketball has reached the NCAA tournament 14 times since 1980, advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16 five times and reaching the Elite Eight twice in 1980 and 2024.
