‘Gritty’ Clemson Team Ready for Next Challenge Against Memphis
By: Jason Priester December 14, 2024

Due to a challenging slate of nonconference games, the Clemson basketball team is already battle-tested.

The Tigers have already gone on the road and played at Boise State and won the 2024 Sunshine Slam with wins over San Francisco and Penn State. Brad Brownell’s team also took down No. 5 Kentucky at home and collected a road win at Miami last Saturday.

This week that tough slate continues, as Clemson welcomes Memphis to town on Saturday, before heading to Columbia to face off with the rival Gamecocks on Tuesday night.

The 9-1 start saw the Tigers debut at No. 16 in the latest AP Poll and Ian Schieffelin is glad the success is finally being recognized. At the same time, the veteran big man says it’s business as usual for the team as they prepare for Memphis.

“It’s definitely cool seeing your hard work and winning games, having that recognized,” Schieffelin said. “I feel like it wasn’t really much different. I think the guys, we all have one goal and that is to just keep winning one game at a time and just keep going from there.”

Chase Hunter echoed his teammates sentiments, noting this Clemson team is proving its capable of winning games in several different ways.

“I think we have a very gritty team, a very tough team,” Hunter said. “If we shoot it bad, we are a team that can lock you up and hold you under 60. Then when we’re on, we can score 80-90 and beat you that way. I think we are a gritty team that can get it done either way.”

In the wins over Kentucky and Miami, the tenacity of the Tigers was on full display. The goal is to keep that same mindset the rest of the way, no matter the opponent. Next up is another big one against Memphis on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 11 a.m. and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

“I think the energy right now is very high and that’s great,” Schieffelin said. “Especially with all the winning we’ve been doing. I think the guys are just ready to keep working.”

A limited number of signed replica road signs from Cade Klubnik are available!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!