Clemson Men's Basketball Wins Opener in Dominant Style
The Clemson Tigers opened their season with an emphatic 88–38 victory over the New Hampshire Wildcats, starting the year 1–0. Their defense excelled from the start, allowing only one successful three-pointer on 18 attempts in the first half.
Head coach Brad Brownell’s team showcased depth and balance, with 10 players logging at least 15 minutes each. The 50-point margin marked the largest season-opening win under Brownell. Clemson posted 43 first-half points, and although none reached double figures early, the scoring distribution remained steady across the roster.
Brownell made quick use of his bench, substituting all five starters in the first five minutes of play. This rotation pattern persisted into the second half, with six players contributing between seven and eleven points. Of the 12 players who took the court, only freshman Chase Thompson did not score.
“I think you see that a lot of guys can contribute,” Brownell said. “I thought our starters did some really good things establishing the tone and the way we were gonna play.”
Redshirt freshman Ace Buckner led all scorers with 18 points in just 20 minutes, spearheading a cohesive and energetic effort that set a strong tone for the Tigers’ season ahead.
Author’s Summary
Clemson’s decisive 88–38 victory against New Hampshire showcased deep team balance, a dominant defense, and standout scoring from redshirt freshman Ace Buckner.