The 13th-ranked Clemson men’s basketball team is off to its best start since the 2008-09 season, having begun this campaign with an unblemished 9-0 record.
But will the Tigers remain unbeaten entering 2024?
ACC Network host Mark Packer weighed in on that question this week during an episode of ACCN’s ACC PM show.
Packer says yes – Clemson will go into the new year still undefeated.
“I’m gonna go yes because they’ve been so good on the road,” he said. “The Tigers have won at Alabama, they’ve won at Pittsburgh, they went neutral site and beat unbeaten TCU north of the border. They’ve been really, really good away from home…
“In years past, I’ve seen Clemson teams do this where they’ve gotten off to good starts. But a lot of times it’s been ‘Roast Beef A&M’ and at Littlejohn. This team’s different. They play different, they’re old.”
Brad Brownell’s team has three games left before the calendar turns to 2024 and conference play ratchets up.
Clemson plays on the road against Memphis (7-2) at 3 p.m. today before returning to Littlejohn Coliseum for home matchups with Queens (Friday, Dec. 22) and Radford (Friday, Dec. 29).
“Memphis is a legit concern,” Packer said. “They just went on the road and won at (Texas) A&M. Really athletic… Nobody’s gonna run the table. That’s a given. Will this be a tough game Saturday? It will, but I’m gonna say the Tigers find a way to win. I like what I have seen out of Brad Brownell’s team.”
Packer said he believes Clemson has been the biggest pleasant surprise among ACC men’s basketball teams so far this season.
“I’ve been a bit surprised the men have not been better, quite frankly, and Clemson, to me, has been the best team,” he said.
“Now, can North Carolina win it? Sure. Virginia? Yeah. Again, I’m basing it on what I have seen to date, and the Tigers have the best resume, best wins on the road, and I just like their experience. Inside, outside, they can beat you any different way, and they play good defense.”
To honor Clemson’s special senior class Dear Old Clemson is selling footballs signed by 7 of Clemson’s Avengers for only $100. These limited edition footballs are signed by Thomas, Orhorhoro, Davis, Mascoll, Henry, Murphy and Williams. Get one while supplies last.
