Wednesday night’s win at Stanford was a prime example of who No. 20 Clemson is this season.

Though the Tigers did not play well in their 66-64 victory over Stanford at the Maples Pavillon in Stanford, Calif., they still found a way to win. Whether it is forward Nick Davidson coming off the bench and scoring a game-high 16 points or guard Ace Buckner strong arming a rebound away from a Stanford player and then making two game-clinching free throws or Chase Thompson, with R.J. Godfrey and Carter Welling in foul trouble, muscling his way for an offensive rebound and putback that gave the Tigers control of the game late in the second half.

“The strength of our team is just the team. It has kind of been that way,” head coach Brad Brownell said. “I do not even know if we have an all-conference player. Our guys do not worry about it or care about it. They just come to work every day.

“They are a very unselfish and hard-working group. I am very proud of them. They are a great group of kids.”

At Clemson, it is called “Clemson Grit.” It is a motto that started several years ago to describe the way in which Brownell teams have played for him. The Tigers may not always have the best shooters or the best athletes, but no one is going to outwork them.

And the 2025-’26 Tigers personify that better than any team Brownell has had.

“That is one of the things about our team that is good,” Brownell said. “I think we have a mature group that has managed to be very focused and really humbled. I am very proud of them. They are great kids.

“A lot of them are from mid-major programs that come up to this level, and they are very appreciative of everything we have given them, but they are still unselfish enough that their main goal is for Clemson Basketball to win.”

Davidson is one of those former mid-major players. He is a graduate transfer from Nevada, who has become a major spark for the Tigers during their current 14 game stretch, where they have produced a 13-1 record.

Against Boston College on Jan. 13, Davidson scored a Clemson record 21 straight points. He also played well in wins over Miami and SMU and in the Tigers’ only loss in the last 14 games, which came against NC State.

With friends and family members in attendance Wednesday night, the Southern California native returned to his home state and besides leading the Tigers with 16 points on 5 of 6 shooting, including 2-for-2 behind the arc. He also had 7 rebounds.

“He is a very mature man. I do not even know if he is a young man anymore,” Brownell said. “He is a grad guy. I am just really proud of him. He has been a complete pleasure to coach. I am not surprised that he played well. He was able to handle his emotions.

“He does have a lot of family here. I know he was excited for the trip, he and Blake both. I am happy for him that he played as well as he did. I know that means a lot to him.”