New-look Clemson Basketball Team Rolls in Season Opener
The Clemson Tigers men's basketball team began the 2025-26 season with a dominating 88-38 victory over New Hampshire at Littlejohn Coliseum. This season marks a significant transformation for Clemson and head coach Brad Brownell, featuring the highest number of transfers in his tenure.
Roster Changes and Player Debuts
Clemson used 12 players in the opener, with only one returning from last year's squad. The roster is 76% new, highlighting substantial turnover. Brownell emphasized the importance of these initial games for team chemistry:
“We’ve still got to figure everybody out,”
The Tigers introduced several new transfers:
- Nick Davidson (Nevada)
- Jake Wahlin (Utah)
- Carter Welling (Utah Valley State)
- Jestin Porter (Middle Tennessee State University)
- Butta Johnson (UAB)
RJ Godfrey, a former Clemson player, also returned after transferring to Georgia for one season.
Freshman Contributions
Fresh talent joined the lineup, including true freshmen Zac Foster, Chase Thompson, and Trent Steinhour, alongside redshirt freshmen Ace Buckner and Dallas Thomas, all making their debut appearances.
Game Overview
New Hampshire, with an 8-24 record last season and ranked 355th out of 364 Division I teams by NET, was outmatched from the start. Clemson’s talent clearly prevailed, exceeding expectations by covering the 41.5-point spread with a 50-point win.
“It’s a season of change for Clemson and coach Brad Brownell,”
The opener provided vital on-court experience as the Tigers aim to integrate new players and build cohesion.
Author's summary: Clemson’s basketball season opens with sweeping roster changes and a commanding win that showcases the potential of their revamped team under Coach Brownell.