Clemson Men's Basketball Dominates Season Opener
The Clemson Tigers showcased a strong defensive performance, limiting New Hampshire to only one made 3-point shot in the first half out of 18 attempts. Clemson began their season with an emphatic 88-38 win over the New Hampshire Wildcats.
Balanced Offensive Effort
Clemson’s offense was well-distributed throughout the game, with 10 players logging at least 15 minutes on the court. The Tigers scored 43 points in the first half, achieved by nine different players, though none reached double-digit scoring in that period.
Coach Brownell’s Rotation Strategy
Head coach Brad Brownell employed a deep rotation early on, substituting all five starters within the first five minutes and continuing to rely on his bench in the second half. Twelve players took the floor, a noticeable deviation from Brownell’s usual strategy.
- Six players scored between 7 and 11 points.
- Every Clemson player who played scored except freshman Chase Thompson.
“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.”
Standout Performers
Redshirt freshman Ace Buckner was the team’s top scorer, earning 18 points in 20 minutes of play. The 50-point margin marks Brownell’s largest victory in a season opener.
Game Highlights
- Final Score: Clemson 88, New Hampshire 38
- Defensive dominance with only one made three-pointer allowed in the first half
- Strong bench contributions with extensive playing time for 12 players
Author's summary: Clemson’s dominant defense and deep roster fueled a commanding 50-point win, marking Coach Brownell’s largest season opener victory in years.