Clemson (24-12, 11-8 ACC)

Clemson hopes to use last year’s run to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight as a springboard to better things. The program lost leading scorers in PJ Hall and Joe Girard III, but got back sixth-year graduate in Chase Hunter. There’s stability at the top, too, as longtime coach Brad Brownell received a five-year contract extension that ties him to the Tigers through the 2028-29 season.

Players to watch

Ian Schieffelin (senior, F, 6-8, 10.1 ppg, 9.1 rpg). Schieffelin was named the ACC’s most improved player after setting career highs in points and rebounds.

Chase Hunter (graduate, PG, 6-4, 12.9 ppg). Hunter came alive in the Tigers’ four NCAA Tournament games, leading the team with 17.8 points a game and shooting 50% from the field in victories over New Mexico, Baylor and Arizona, and the loss to Alabama.

Clemson looks to build on last year's run to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight | iNFOnews.ca — FILE – Clemson forward Ian Schieffelin (4) moves around the defense of Wake Forest center Matthew Marsh (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, March 9, 2024 in Winston-Salem, N.C. (Allison Lee Isley/The Winston-Salem Journal via AP, File)

Chauncey Wiggins (junior, F, 6-10, 5.4 ppg). Wiggins started 18 games, but was mostly on the bench as Hall and Schieffelin handled things down low. Expect Wiggins to pair with Schieffelin this season to form a strong duo in the middle.

Departures and arrivals

Seniors Hall and Girard combined for more than 31 points a game last season. The biggest surprise was the transfer of R.J. Godfrey, who was a rising sophomore who most likely would’ve started this season but is now at Georgia. Clemson added length in the portal with 7-1 Christian Reeves from Duke and 6-9 Viktor Lakhin of Cincinnati.

Top games

Clemson opens Nov. 4 against Charleston Southern. It hosts Kentucky on Dec. 3 before starting league play at Miami on Dec. 7. The Tigers host Duke and North Carolina in consecutive games on Feb. 8 and Feb. 10.

Facts and figures

Brownell is entering his 15th year with the Tigers. He’s first all-time at Clemson with 265 coaching victories. … Chase Hunter’s return means he will once more pair with his brother, guard Dillon Hunter, on Clemson’s roster. … Jaeden Zackery started 100 games at Boston College the past three seasons. … Transfer Myles Foster averaged 12.7 points at Illinois State last season. … Freshman Ace Buckner is the son of Clemson basketball great Greg Buckner who is known for the dunk that beat North Carolina in the 1996 ACC Tournament quarterfinals.

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