Following their best week of basketball this season, Clemson basketball has entered the Associated Press Top 25 Poll at No. 16. Sporting an 8-1 record thus far, CU has already racked up three Quad 1 wins over San Francisco, Penn State, and then-No. 4 Kentucky.
Leading the way for Brad Brownell’s squad this season have been a pair of seniors. Guard Chase Hunter is averaging 15.9 points, 2.3 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game on the year. That scoring average is up from a 12.9 mark in 2023-24.
In the paint, forward Ian Schieffelin has been a double-double machine. The Atlanta, Ga. product has recorded at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in five games so far this fall, including a remarkable 11-point, 20-rebound effort against Kentucky on Tuesday night. The rebound total surpassed his previous career high of 17 against Pitt in 2023. He’s improved from averaging 10.1 points and 9.4 rebounds last season to a 12.6 and 12.5 average this season, with the latter figure leading the nation.
Up next for the Tigers is a pair of two more quality opponents. On Saturday, December 14th the team welcomes Memphis (7-2) into Littlejohn Coliseum for an 11:00 a.m. tip-off. On Tuesday, it’s the Palmetto Bowl of basketball against South Carolina (6-3) on the road in Columbia at 7:00 p.m.
Memphis Tigers (7-2, 0-0 American Athletic)
Notable wins: No. 2 UConn, Michigan State, Missouri
Notable losses: No. 4 Auburn, Arkansas State
Leading scorer: P.J. Haggerty (guard #4), 23.0 points
Leading rebounder: Dain Dainja (center #42), 6.7 rebounds
Assist leader: Tyrese Hunter (guard #11), 3.3 assists
Head coach: Penny Hardaway (7th season, 141-65 at Memphis, 2021 NIT Champion)
Outlook:
This will be a great measuring stick game for Clemson. Memphis is a team that runs through their guards, Haggerty and Hunter. If both of them get going at once, they can beat almost any team in the country. Chase Hunter and Jaeden Zackery will have to be on their A-game for the Tigers on Saturday.
South Carolina Gamecocks (6-3, 0-0 SEC)
Notable wins: Virginia Tech, Boston College
Notable losses: North Florida, Indiana, Xavier
Leading scorer: Collin Murray-Boyles (forward #30), 16.2 points
Leading rebounder: Collin Murray-Boyles (forward #30), 9.4 rebounds
Assist leader: Jamarii Thomas (guard #6), 3.2 assists
Head coach: Lamont Paris (3rd season, 43-32 at South Carolina)
Outlook:
A trip to Columbia will never be easy, and I wouldn’t count out the Gamecocks, despite their slow start. Holding down Collin Murray-Boyles is the obvious place to start with this game. The matchup between him and Schieffelin will be a great one to watch.
If Clemson can keep the momentum rolling to beat both Memphis and South Carolina, look for them to continue to climb in the polls. With the heart of ACC play on the horizon, it’ll be key to see how the Tigers finish their non-conference slate.
