Coming off a record-breaking year, but a disappointing first-round exit from the NCAA Tournament, the Clemson men’s basketball team opens its 2025-26 season Monday night against New Hampshire.
The Tigers made history last season, setting new program records for most regular-season wins, 26, and ACC victories, 18, in a single season.
Over the past three seasons, Clemson has become one of the ACC’s most consistent programs. Its 74-30 record ranks second only to Duke in that span and marks the winningest three-year stretch in school history.
Meanwhile, New Hampshire enters the matchup on the opposite side of the spectrum.
The Wildcats are coming off their worst season in six years, finishing 8-24 overall and 6-10 in the America East Conference, which the Tigers will look to capitalize on and start the season on a high note.
Monday’s game also marks the first-ever meeting between Clemson and New Hampshire, adding an interesting element to the opener.
This year’s squad will look very different from the one that took the court last March. The Tigers underwent a complete roster turnover, losing several key contributors from last year’s success.
All-ACC selections Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin have both departed from the team — Hunter signed with the New Orleans Pelicans after averaging 16.5 points on 47% shooting, while Schieffelin, who finished with over 870 career rebounds, switched sports to join Clemson’s football program.
Defensive standout Jaeden Zackery is now starting, and starting center Viktor Lakhin signed a deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder. There was a lot of turnover with the team, and with so many changes, the Tigers will turn to senior guard Dillon Hunter to lead the way.
Hunter started nine games last season, averaging 5.4 points, and will embrace a larger role in 2025.
“National championship, we have it written all over the board,” Hunter said on Oct. 8 at the ACC Tipoff in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“I feel like at Clemson we have a different motto now. Early on, it was just we’re going to the tournament, but now we’re trying to win national championships.”
After last season’s early March exit against McNeese State University, the Tigers are eager to change the narrative, and a dominant performance against a bottom-feeder New Hampshire team would be the perfect place to start.
Clemson tips off its 2025-26 season Monday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. inside Littlejohn Coliseum.
