The sting of last year’s season-ending loss in the NCAA Tournament still sticks with the Clemson men’s basketball team.

After coming up just short in the Elite Eight a season ago, it serves as extra motivation for the fifth-seeded Tigers entering March Madness this year, starting with Thursday’s first-round matchup against No. 12 seed McNeese in the Midwest Region.

“It definitely stung. It stung a lot last year,” Clemson senior guard Chase Hunter said on Wednesday. “Just to know that we were that close to being in the Final Four, a few plays away, a few baskets from being on that bigger stage.

“But it’s all motivation. That’s what we’ve been using it as, going into this season. Just motivated to be in that moment again and being able to win.”

In the 2024 NCAA Tournament, Clemson defeated New Mexico, Baylor and Arizona en route to the program’s second-ever Elite Eight appearance and first since 1980.

The Tigers were on the verge of their first trip to the Final Four in school history, but fell to Alabama, 89-82, in a hard-fought Elite Eight matchup in Los Angeles.

Clemson led by as many as 13 in the first half, before Alabama closed the half on a 22-6 run to take a 35-32 lead into halftime. The Tigers hung around for the majority of the second half, not allowing Alabama to lead by more than six until back-to-back 3-pointers put the Crimson Tide up nine with around six and a half minutes left.

A Clemson 3-pointer cut its deficit to three with just over 2:00 to go, but Alabama responded to take a seven-point advantage with 1:15 remaining. The teams traded baskets and free throws for the remainder of contest, with Alabama ultimately coming away with the win.

“We were probably a few plays away from making the Final Four, and that’s everyone’s dream at the end of the day,” Clemson senior forward Ian Schieffelin said Wednesday, reflecting on the loss.

Schieffelin recalled how before this season, he and Hunter talked to Clemson’s newcomers/transfers about how great it was to make a deep NCAA Tournament run, and wanting to do just that again this year.

“Going into the summer, it’s definitely something that me and Chase, bringing in these new guys and telling them how much fun it is to be going on this run and try to get back to that spot,” Schieffelin said. “We know what it takes to get back there, and we’re going to take it one game at a time.”

The Tigers (27-6) know they won’t be able to get back where they were last season, or maybe even further, unless they first take care of business in Thursday’s opening-round contest against McNeese (27-6) at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, R.I.

“I think especially after the run we had last year, we know what it takes to kind of get back to that spot. And just take it one game at a time,” Schieffelin reiterated. “Can’t overlook McNeese. They’re a good team, and be ready to play them.”

“We feel great. We’re ready to play,” Hunter added. “We’ve been getting some good practices in, and just preparing for McNeese. We feel great, feel confident, and we’re ready to play.”