The Clemson Tigers started their season strong with an emphatic 88-38 win over the New Hampshire Wildcats.
Clemson's defense was outstanding, limiting New Hampshire to just one made 3-pointer in 18 attempts during the first half.
The Tigers showcased a well-rounded offensive effort, with 10 players logging at least 15 minutes of playtime and 12 players scoring throughout the game. Freshman Chase Thompson was the only player who did not score.
This 50-point victory marked Coach Brad Brownell’s largest margin in a season opener. He made early use of his bench, pulling all five starters within the first five minutes.
Brownell commented on the team's collective effort:
“I think you see that a lot of guys can contribute. I thought our starters did some really good things establishing the tone and the way we were gonna play.”
Redshirt freshman Ace Buckner led Clemson in scoring with 18 points in just 20 minutes on the court. In the second half, six players scored between 7 and 11 points, indicating strong depth.
Unlike typical Brownell teams, 12 players participated, showing the coach’s trust in a deep rotation.
Author's Summary: Clemson's basketball team delivered a commanding season opener, driven by strong defense, balanced scoring, and strategic bench usage.