Season Review: A Record-Breaking Campaign
Clemson’s 2024-25 season has been nothing short of historic under head coach Brad Brownell. The Tigers finished the regular season with a 27-6 overall record, including an 18-2 mark in ACC play—both school records. They also set program highs with 9 ACC road wins and a .900 conference winning percentage. This success built on their Elite Eight run in 2024, signaling a program on the rise.
The season started with high expectations after losing key player PJ Hall but retaining core pieces like Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin, both of whom earned All-ACC honors in 2025—Hunter on the First Team and Schieffelin on the Second. Jaeden Zackery, a transfer from Boston College, bolstered the backcourt and landed on the ACC All-Defensive Team. Early non-conference wins showcased their potential, including a signature victory over Kentucky, a perennial powerhouse. In ACC play, Clemson’s defining moment came when they became the only team since November to defeat Duke, the eventual No. 1 seed in the East Region. This win, paired with a strong 13-5 record against Quad 1 and 2 opponents, solidified their resume.
The Tigers’ dominance continued with an eight-game ACC winning streak to close the regular season, highlighted by a record-setting 18-point win over Virginia Tech on March 8. They ranked in the top 25 nationally in both offensive and defensive efficiency per KenPom, a testament to their balance. However, injuries tested their depth—most notably Dillon Hunter’s hand injury late in the ACC Tournament, sidelining him for the NCAA run.
In the ACC Tournament, Clemson earned a double-bye as a top seed but stumbled in the semifinals against Louisville, falling in a tight contest. Despite the loss, their 27 wins and 18-2 ACC record earned them a No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region, facing No. 12 McNeese State in the first round in Providence, R.I., on March 20.
Key Strengths and Challenges
Clemson’s season revealed a team with veteran leadership, versatility, and a knack for winning big games. Chase Hunter emerged as a clutch performer, averaging high teens in scoring and providing playmaking, while Ian Schieffelin’s double-double consistency anchored the frontcourt. Their slow tempo—ranking second-slowest nationally—maximized possessions and frustrated opponents, a style that translated to a 49.2% field goal percentage in last year’s tournament run.
However, the loss of Dillon Hunter is a blow to their guard depth, and their recent form dipped slightly, with three losses in their last four games before the NCAA Tournament (including the ACC Tournament exit). Foul trouble, a recurring issue from 2024, could also haunt them against fast-paced teams like McNeese State.
NCAA Tournament Preview: Chances and Path Ahead
Clemson enters the 2025 NCAA Tournament as a trendy sleeper pick, with some analysts eyeing them for a deep run—potentially even a Final Four. Their first-round matchup against McNeese State, a 27-6 Southland Conference champ coached by Clemson alum Will Wade, is no cakewalk. The Cowboys play at a slow tempo too, but their Cinderella potential hinges on forcing turnovers and capitalizing on Clemson’s depleted backcourt. Experts like Vaughn Dalzell predict a low-scoring affair (under 134.5 points), with Clemson’s defense holding McNeese below 60 points to advance.
If they survive, the Tigers would face the winner of No. 4 Purdue vs. No. 13 High Point in the Round of 32. Purdue’s size and experience pose a challenge, but Clemson’s win over Duke—a team of similar caliber—suggests they can compete with top seeds. The Midwest Region includes heavyweights like No. 1 Houston, No. 2 Tennessee, and No. 3 Kentucky, but Clemson’s resume (beating Duke and Kentucky) and tournament pedigree (five Sweet 16s since 1980) give them a puncher’s chance.
Their path to the Sweet 16 and beyond hinges on Hunter and Schieffelin staying out of foul trouble and the supporting cast—Jaeden Zackery, Chauncey Wiggins, and RJ Godfrey—stepping up. Analysts like Newsweek’s experts see Clemson as a potential Elite Eight team, with a Final Four berth possible if they upset Tennessee in a hypothetical regional final—a rematch of two Elite Eight squads from 2024.
Outlook
Clemson’s 2024-25 season redefined the program, shattering records and raising expectations. As a No. 5 seed with +1400 odds to reach the Final Four (per some betting models), they’re not just a feel-good story—they’re a legitimate threat. Their chances of going deep depend on leveraging their experience, stifling defense, and slow-paced style against a region full of Goliaths. While repeating last year’s Elite Eight run is the floor, this team has the tools to etch its name in Clemson lore with a historic Final Four trip. The journey starts today—let’s see how far these Tigers can roar.
