New-look Clemson basketball team rolls in season opener. What we learned

New-look Clemson Basketball Team Dominates Season Opener

The Clemson Tigers men’s basketball team saw significant changes this season with the highest number of transfers under coach Brad Brownell. In their opening game of the 2025-26 season at Littlejohn Coliseum, Clemson defeated New Hampshire 88-38 in a commanding win.

Team Composition and Performance

Clemson used 12 players in the opener, but only one had worn a Tigers uniform last year. This squad features a roster that is 76% new players, marking a true transition for the program.

The Tigers faced a New Hampshire team that finished 8-24 last year and was ranked 355th out of 364 Division I schools in the NET rankings. Despite the challenging matchup offering limited broader insights, Clemson’s talent was overwhelmingly dominant, covering a 41.5-point spread with a 50-point victory.

Key Player Debuts

Several transfers made their Clemson debuts:

Additionally, former Clemson player RJ Godfrey returned after one season at Georgia, technically as a transfer in name.

Freshman newcomers included true freshmen Zac Foster, Chase Thompson, and Trent Steinhour, as well as redshirt freshmen Ace Buckner and Dallas Thomas.

“We’ve still got to figure everybody out,” said Coach Brad Brownell after the game.

The season opener showcased the early steps of team integration and the importance of game experience for the many new players.

Author’s summary: Clemson’s basketball team begins a rebuilding season with major roster changes, highlighted by multiple transfers and freshmen debuting in a dominant season-opening win.

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The State The State — 2025-11-05

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