Clemson Men's Basketball Dominates Season Opener
The Clemson Tigers launched their season with a commanding 88-38 victory over the New Hampshire Wildcats, showcasing both strong defense and balanced offense.
Outstanding Defensive Performance
Clemson's defense limited New Hampshire to just one made 3-point shot on 18 attempts during the first half, effectively disrupting the opponent's long-range shooting.
Balanced Offensive Effort
- The Tigers scored 43 points in the first half, with nine players contributing, though none reached double digits in points during that period.
- Ten players logged at least 15 minutes on the court throughout the game, displaying deep rotation by head coach Brad Brownell.
- Six players finished scoring between 7 and 11 points in the second half.
- Every player who played scored except freshman Chase Thompson.
- Redshirt freshman Ace Buckner led the team with 18 points in 20 minutes of play.
Coaching Strategy
Brad Brownell rotated his lineup early, pulling all five starters within the first five minutes and continuing to use an extensive bench, a departure from his usual rotation pattern.
“I think you see that a lot of guys can contribute,” Brownell said. “I thought our starters did some really good things establishing the tone and the way we were gonna play.”
The 50-point margin marked the largest opening game victory under Brownell's leadership.
Team Participation
Twelve players took the court for Clemson, illustrating Coach Brownell’s confidence in the full roster’s abilities and depth.
Summary: Clemson’s emphatic season opener highlighted a dominant defense and a well-distributed offensive performance, reflecting Coach Brownell's strategic depth and team versatility.