New-look Clemson Basketball Team Shines in Season Opener
The Clemson Tigers featured their highest number of transfers ever under coach Brad Brownell in the 2025-26 season opener. Twelve players took the court Monday, with only one returning from last year's squad.
The game, held at Littlejohn Coliseum, ended with a decisive 88-38 victory over New Hampshire. Despite New Hampshire’s poor 8-24 record last season and a low NET ranking (355th of 364 Division I schools), Clemson’s talent disparity made a dominant win expected. Their 50-point margin even exceeded the 41.5-point spread set by FanDuel.
Significant Roster Changes
This season marks a major transition, with 76% of Clemson’s roster composed of new players. According to Brownell, the team still needs to find its rhythm with so many newcomers.
"We’ve still got to figure everybody out,"
Brownell said after the game.
Debuting Transfers and Freshmen
- Nick Davidson (Nevada)
- Jake Wahlin (Utah)
- Carter Welling (Utah Valley State)
- Jestin Porter (MTSU)
- Butta Johnson (UAB)
- RJ Godfrey, a former Clemson player returning after a season at Georgia
- True freshmen: Zac Foster, Chase Thompson, Trent Steinhour
- Redshirt freshmen: Ace Buckner, Dallas Thomas
Looking Ahead
This opening game provided critical experience for the revamped Clemson roster as they begin to build chemistry under Brownell’s leadership.
"It’s a season of change for Clemson and coach Brad Brownell, and it officially got underway Monday night."
Author’s summary: Clemson’s basketball team, featuring a roster dominated by transfers and freshmen, opened the 2025-26 season with a commanding win, highlighting a pivotal period of adaptation and growth.