5 Favorite Moments From Clemson's Basketball's 2025-26 Season

Clemson men's basketball had plenty of memorable moments across its 2025-26 season.

Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers forward Nick Davidson (11) reacts in the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

It’s been more than 10 days since Clemson basketball ended its 2025-26 season at the hands of the Iowa Hawkeyes, but now it’s time for reflection. 

Despite the early exit to the postseason, head coach Brad Brownell’s group had a season to remember, being the first team to reach three consecutive NCAA Tournaments in his Tiger tenure. A young core also returns that could extend the streak, barring a strong transfer portal period in upcoming weeks. 

However, these were my five favorite moments from Clemson hoops’s season, going in chronological order. 

Charleston Classic Win

Clemson guard Jestin Porter was the Charleston Classic's MVP after the Tigers took home the trophy in November. | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

With so much change from last season’s roster to this season's, a lot of eyes were on the Tigers in the Charleston Classic back in November. 

Against two completely different teams, Georgia and West Virginia, Clemson won both, proving that it could be a force to be reckoned with in the ACC. The Tigers also won two different styles of games as well. 

A 70-67 win over the Mountaineers in the first game, then an overtime 97-94 victory over the Bulldogs, the Tigers were then 7-1 with two strong wins to add to their resume. It brought plenty of momentum as well. 

A Win-Filled December and January

Clemson Tigers forward Chase Thompson (3) shoots the ball past SMU Mustangs forward Sam Walters (4) Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, during the NCAA men’s basketball game at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, South Carolina. | Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After a heartbreaking loss to BYU in New York City, Clemson would only lose once between the rest of December and early February. 

The Tigers won 13 of those 14 games, with the only loss coming at home to the NC State Wolfpack in overtime. That stretch went into the beginning of ACC play, with Brownell’s group winning its first six games in conference play, including wins against ranked SMU and Miami, which was undefeated at that time as well. 

At this point in time, Clemson was ranked as high as No. 18 in the AP Poll before the loss to the Wolfpack. It wouldn’t fall out of the top 25 rankings, however, remaining in until the losses to Virginia Tech and Duke in the second week of February 

All in all, it was simply a fun time for the group and its fans. 

A February West Coast Sweep 

Feb 4, 2026; Stanford, California, USA; Clemson Tigers forward Nick Davidson (11), guard Dillon Hunter (2) and other players celebrate after defeating Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images | John Hefti-Imagn Images

There were only two teams that completed a West Coast sweep of Cal and Stanford since the two joined the conference back in 2024: Duke in 2026 and Wake Forest in 2025. 

Clemson became the third in the first two games of February. 

The Tigers edged out a 66-64 win over Stanford on a Wednesday before blowing out Cal three days later to go a perfect 2-0 on the week. Against the Golden Bears, Clemson nearly doubled its first-half total, going into the break with a 39-20 lead. 

At the end of the trip, Clemson was ranked and 20-4. Despite the later skid, the Tigers eclipsed a win streak of 14 against ACC opponents in road games. That’s tied for the second-longest streak in the conference’s history. 

The Ranked Louisville Win

Clemson Tigers guard Dillon Hunter (2) celebrates with Clemson Tigers head coach Brad Brownell Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, after the NCAA men’s basketball game against the Louisville Cardinals at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, South Carolina. Clemson Tigers won 80-75. | Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

While on a four-game skid, a Feb. 28 matchup with No. 24 Louisville was a must-win to finish the difficult month strong. That’s exactly what the Tigers did: an 80-75 win to be the biggest home win of the season. 

It brought momentum going into Chapel Hill, North Carolina, three days later, despite the loss. A collective effort from the likes of Jestin Porter (16 points), RJ Godfrey (13) and Ace Buckner (11) allowed the Tigers to pick up the statement win to lock themselves into the NCAA Tournament. 

Historic ACC Tournament Performance

Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers guard Dillon Hunter (2) reacts after the game at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Another historic milestone for Brownell occurred just a few weeks ago, winning two games in the ACC Tournament. That’s the first time that the Tigers have done that since the 2007-08 season: Brownell wasn’t the coach at that time. 

Clemson avenged two losses in the postseason tournament in Charlotte, taking down Wake Forest and then defeating North Carolina to advance to the semifinals of the ACC Tournament. Despite losing to Duke to be knocked out, history was made in some exciting basketball. 

Especially after Carter Welling went down in the win over the Demon Deacons, the way the Tigers were able to respond against the Tar Heels allowed it to be one of their strongest wins.