CLEMSON – Brad Brownell updated the two major injuries for Clemson basketball ahead of the Tigers’ battle of unbeatens.

Graduate forward Jack Clark played while banged up through the first six games, but sat out for the road win over Pittsburgh. The battle to reach 100% isn’t easy, and the plan with Clark is still uncertain according to Brownell Tuesday.

“We’re still kind of trying to figure it all out. I would say he’s doubtful for this game. I’m going to get with Brad (Crowe) right before practice and just see what it looks like. It’s been challenging for him. Just hasn’t been able to kind of get all the way there. He’s had some steps back if you will so we’ve just got to kind of deal with it day-to-day,” Brownell said.

Crowe is Clemson’s athletic trainer and he’s been a busy man early in the 2023-24 season. The biggest task for him may be graduate guard Alex Hemenway, who continues to battle through a lower leg injury that popped up. Brownell says it will take “a couple weeks” for Hemenway to get the ball rolling again.

These injuries threw a curveball at Brownell, and he’s had to adjust quickly for two absences he expected to be key pieces immediately.

“Jack and Alex, that’s been really challenging. I anticipated those guys being probably two of our top six guys. It’s just, they both haven’t been able to do as much,” Brownell said.

With Clark missing his first game, Brownell turned to sophomore forward Chauncey Wiggins. He played 30 minutes in the win over the Panthers, and Brownell said that uptick was a result of the team’s injuries. Nonetheless, he was happy with Wiggins’ showing.

“I have confidence in him. He’s got a free rein to shoot the ball. He took a bunch of three’s the other night…he’s just growing as a player. He really is. His experience, his knowledge, his competitive fight…I’m excited for him,” Brownell said.

Clemson will need Wiggins to continue the strong play Wednesday, as the Tigers battle South Carolina. Both teams are undefeated, and it ups the ante of a heated rivalry game. Clemson takes on the Gamecocks Wednesday, Nov. 6 at Littlejohn Coliseum. Tipoff is at 8 p.m., televised on ACC Network.