A new chapter under Brad Brownell
Clemson University has released its 2026‑27 non‑conference basketball slate, a schedule that blends home exhibitions, a European tour and a series of high‑profile road trips. The announcement comes as Coach Brad Brownell enters his 15th season, looking to build on a 24‑11 record from the previous year that ended with an 8‑seed loss to Iowa in the NCAA Tournament.
The roster will retain Dillon Hunter, who started 35 games last season and averaged 7.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and three assists per game, while adding a quartet of newcomers: freshmen Harris Reynolds and Amare James and transfers Cole Certa and Liutauras Lelevicius.
Italy tour and early home tests
The Tigers will open the season with two home exhibitions at Littlejohn Coliseum: a matchup against Georgia on Oct. 23 followed by a game versus Presbyterian on Oct. 28. After a summer that took the team from Rome to Florence and Como, where they played a series of contests from July 27 to Aug. 6, the squad returns to the States ready to test the new pieces against a varied slate.
The season opener is scheduled for Nov. 2 against Stetson, after which the Tigers will travel to face North Dakota on Nov. 9, Georgetown on Nov. 13 and The Citadel on Nov. 16, setting up a busy early road stretch.
Key matchups and the road ahead
Later in the schedule, Clemson will meet Ole Miss in the Maui Invitational on Nov. 23, then take on Auburn and TCU before closing the non‑conference portion with a Dec. 19 game against Cincinnati. The slate also includes contests against South Carolina and other regional powerhouses, offering a blend of testing environments and opportunities for growth.
With a mix of veteran leadership, fresh talent and a demanding travel schedule, the Tigers aim to translate early experiences into a strong start to the 2026‑27 campaign.