Clemson University’s men’s basketball program needed a big year in 2017-2018 – and they got it.
Embattled head coach Brad Brownell – who nearly lost his job following a disastrous 2016-2017 campaign – led the resurgent Tigers to a 25-10 record, a run that included the program’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2011, his first season in Tiger Town.
There, the Tigers reached the Sweet Sixteen before falling to Kansas.
Last season’s 25 wins tied a school record, and the program’s 11 wins against ACC opponents established a new school record.
Brownell was rewarded for his efforts with a raise and contract extension, but that means is the pressure is really on this year … especially with the Tigers entering the 2018-2019 season ranked in the Top 25.
(Click to view)
(Via: John Byrum/ Sideline Carolina)
Clemson will open its exhibition season on Saturday afternoon against UNC-Wilmington (where Brownell won a pair of NCAA berths during his four-year stint from 2002-2006) ranked No. 22 in the nation, according to the Associated Press. The program has entered a campaign in the Top 25 only four times previously – most recently prior to the 2009-2010 season.
With loads of returning talent, expectations are high … although the Tigers will once again have to navigate a brutal ACC schedule.
The nation’s top hoops conference landed six teams in the Top 25 in addition to Clemson – No. 4 Duke, No. 5 Virginia, No. 8 North Carolina, No. 15 Virginia Tech, No. 16 Syracuse, No. 17 Florida State. Clemson must play all of them. In fact, they have to play Syracuse and Florida State twice.
Additionally, the Tigers have a non-conference game scheduled at a neutral location against preseason No. 18 Mississippi State of the Southeastern Conference.
(Click to view)
(Via: John Byrum/ Sideline Carolina)
That’s a tough slate … although if Clemson can break even in conference play it should be a lock to earn back-to-back trips to the Big Dance.
Senior graduate guards Marcquise Reed (15.8 points per game) and Shelton Mitchell (12.2 points per game) will key the Clemson attack, along with senior forwards Elijah Thomas (10.7 points per game) and David Skara (3.3 points per game).
Meanwhile, sophomore forward Aamir Simms (4.0 points per game) is poised for a breakthrough campaign after emerging as a consistent contributor during his freshman year – and fellow sophomores Clyde Trapp and Anthony Oliver are expected to play bigger roles off of the bench this season.
Clemson opens its regular season against The Citadel on Tuesday, November 6 at the recently renovated Littlejohn Coliseum.
For ticket information, call 1-800-CLEMSON or visit ClemsonTigers.com.
[su_dominion_video]***
WANNA SOUND OFF?
Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our stories? Please feel free to submit your own guest column or letter to the editor via-email HERE. Got a tip for us? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE. Want to support what we’re doing? SUBSCRIBE HERE.
Banner: John Byrum/ Sideline Carolina