Clemson Basketball Expectations
Clemson basketball arrives as a welcome respite after the struggles of the football season. Few would have predicted this turn of events just a few months ago, yet the Tigers now carry the hopes of their fans into a promising campaign.
High Points of the Season
The Tigers have experienced remarkable highs. Last year, Clemson earned a memorable victory over Cooper Flagg’s Duke Blue Devils inside Littlejohn Coliseum.
Duke reached the Final Four, and Cooper Flagg was selected first overall in the NBA Draft.
Clemson finished with an impressive 18–2 record in ACC play, marking the best conference performance in school history.
Disappointments and Lows
Still, the season wasn’t without frustration. Despite the impressive record, Clemson missed the ACC regular-season title after a triple-overtime home loss to Georgia Tech. They placed behind Duke and tied with Louisville.
In the ACC Tournament, the Tigers beat SMU but then fell to Louisville. Their year ended painfully in the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 64 after a stunning loss to McNeese.
McNeese’s coach, Will Wade, a Clemson graduate, later accepted the NC State job and now seems destined to challenge his alma mater for years to come.
Reflection and Outlook
In many ways, last year was both historically strong and deeply disappointing — the best ACC run in Clemson’s history, yet capped only by a modest NCAA tournament appearance banner.
Author's Summary
Clemson basketball’s 2024 run combined record-breaking success with bitter defeats, offering fans both pride and lingering frustration as the program looks ahead.