Clemson Learns Landing Spot in NCAA Tournament
By: will-vandervort March 16, 2025

CLEMSON — Brad Brownell and the Clemson men’s basketball team know the path they must take to repeat last year’s magical run in the NCAA Tournament.

The Tigers (27-6) learned they will be the No. 5 seed in the Midwest Regional of the NCAA. Tournament. It marks the men’s program’s 15th appearance in the Big Dance.

They will play No. 12 seed McNeese (27-6) in the first round on Thursday in Providence, RI.

Last year, Clemson advanced to the Elite Eight Round for the first time since 1980. The Tigers, a No. 6 seed in the West Regional last year, defeated No. 11 New Mexico, No. 3 Baylor and No. 2 Arizona on their way to the Elite Eight.

Clemson lost to Alabama in the West Regional Finals in Los Angeles. The Tigers are 14-14 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, including a 7-7 mark in first round/first four games. They are 3-1 under Brownell in those games.

In Clemson’s four previous tournaments under Brownell, the Tigers have posted a 6-4 record.

This year’s bid marks the first time since 2008-’11 that the Tigers have earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons. It is also the first time that has happened under Brownell.

Clemson (27-6) has already posted a program-best 27 wins this season. They finished the season tied for second in the ACC standings with an 18-2 mark. Their 18 league wins were also a record for a single season.

The Tigers’ second-place finish in the ACC is the program’s best since the 1989-’90 team won the ACC Regular Season Championship. Guard Chase Hunter was a First-Team All-ACC selection, while forward Ian Schieffelin was named to the second team. Guard Jaeden Zackery was named to the ACC’s All-Defensive Team.

Clemson moved up one spot to No. 10 in the latest AP Top 25 Men’s College Basketball Poll released last Monday. It marks the first time the Tigers have been ranked in the AP Top 10 in 16 years (January 2009).

This past week in the ACC Tournament, Clemson advanced to the semifinals before losing a heartbreaker to Louisville. The loss snapped the Tigers’ nine-game win streak.

Clemson has won 18 of its last 21 games.