Clemson is headed back to the Big Dance for the third consecutive year.
The Tigers (24-10) earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, securing a No. 8 seed in the South Region. They are scheduled to face No. 9 seed Iowa on Friday in Tampa, Florida.
The selection marks the sixth tournament appearance under head coach Brad Brownell and the 16th in program history. Clemson enters the postseason riding a wave of historic consistency, having won at least 23 games in four straight seasons—a first for the program.
“Everybody All the Time” has been the season’s mantra, reflected in a roster that features eight players averaging at least 6.0 points per game. That depth has anchored a unit ranked in the top 20 nationally in defensive efficiency, according to Ken Pomeroy.
Key Contributors
The Tigers’ postseason hopes rest largely on the shoulders of two veteran leaders:
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RJ Godfrey: The honorable mention All-ACC selection leads the team in scoring at 11.9 points per game. The Suwanee, Georgia, native set career highs this season in points (406), rebounds (180), and field goal percentage (.612).
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Dillon Hunter: One of the few four-year players in the ACC to stay at a single school, Hunter posted career bests in scoring (7.5 ppg) and assists (103) while finishing second on the team in steals.
Clemson holds a 14-15 all-time record in the NCAA Tournament, highlighted by Elite Eight runs in 1980 and 2024. Under Brownell, the Tigers have become a perennial contender, amassing 98 wins since the 2022-23 season—the second-most of any team in the ACC during that span.
Brownell’s resume now includes 10 career NCAA appearances across three different programs: UNC Wilmington, Wright State, and Clemson.
Note for Fans: Due to limited ticket allotments, the university is advising donors and fans to visit NCAATickets.com or explore secondary markets for the first-round matchup in Tampa.
