The first true test for Brad Brownell’s 2023-24 squad arrived, and it passed with flying colors in a 85-77 win over No. 23 Alabama.

Clemson remained undefeated with the victory, and took down the No. 1 offense in college basketball, limiting the Crimson Tide to a season-low 77 points. If there was any doubt in this team’s ability to respond, it was silenced Tuesday night.

The Asheville Championship provided key experience for the veteran group, and the chemistry showed up in the first true road game. Here’s the 411 on the Tigers’ crucial non-conference win.

-Clemson fields one of the best guard duos in the country, and it went to war the pair of Mark Sears and Aaron Estrada, who average a combined 37.3 points. Chase Hunter and Joseph Girard III had quiet first halves, but torched the nets after the break with 25 combined points. During that run, the duo went 7-10 from three-point range and it wasn’t always easy looks. Impressive shot-making as the difference.

–Officiating was a hot topic and for good reason in this game. The Tigers shot 15 free throws compared to Alabama’s 26, and that doesn’t do justice to the film. In a road environment with unfavorable officiating, Clemson still walked out with a victory amid four fouls late for both PJ Hall and RJ Godfrey. Speaking of, Hall has to avoid this in the future because it can cost them if the guards don’t put capes on.

-Hall played just 21 minutes, but scored 21 points and added four blocks on the defensive end. That’s just a glimpse of the performance he could’ve had if it wasn’t for the foul trouble.

-Ian Schieffelin is a pest. Nine points, 14 rebounds and two blocks over 30 minutes and he continues to cause havoc for opponents. He’s invaluable for this team, and those efforts kept Clemson in it until the cavalry arrived.

-Tempo was rampant early, but the Tigers settled things down early to the point that Brownell’s team finished with zero, yes, zero fastbreak points. That’s in a win. 32 points in the paint was on the positive side of the spectrum, but taking the air out of the ball took the game out of the hands of the Crimson Tide.

TURNING POINT

Down 53-46 with under 13 minutes to play, Clemson got their key players back on the court and ripped off a 20-7 run that silenced the Coleman Coliseum crowd. It started with success in the paint, before shot-making masterpieces from Hunter and Girard. Alabama never found a response, and the Tigers carried that run into a victory.

–Photo courtesy of Gary Cosby/USA Today