New-look Clemson basketball team rolls in season opener
Clemson men’s basketball began the 2025–26 season with a decisive 88–38 victory over New Hampshire at Littlejohn Coliseum on Monday night. The win marked a new chapter for coach Brad Brownell and a significantly reshaped roster.
A season of change
The Tigers featured twelve players in their opener, and only one had worn a Clemson uniform the previous season. With the program’s highest number of transfers under Brownell, 76% of the team is new.
“We’ve still got to figure everybody out,” Brownell said after the game.
Key debuts and returning players
- Nick Davidson (from Nevada)
- Jake Wahlin (from Utah)
- Carter Welling (from Utah Valley State)
- Jestin Porter (from MTSU)
- Butta Johnson (from UAB)
- RJ Godfrey, returning after a season at Georgia
- True freshmen: Zac Foster, Chase Thompson, Trent Steinhour
- Redshirt freshmen: Ace Buckner, Dallas Thomas
Context of the victory
New Hampshire, which went 8–24 last season and ranked 355th out of 364 Division I schools in NET ranking, posed little challenge. Clemson’s 50-point triumph exceeded even the hefty 41.5-point margin projected by FanDuel. Though the opponent was overmatched, the matchup provided valuable on-court time for the Tigers’ new-look lineup.
Author’s summary: Clemson’s retooled basketball team began the 2025–26 season with a commanding win, showcasing depth, fresh faces, and promise for Brad Brownell’s evolving program.