Italy Trip Tests Clemson’s Depth
Clemson University’s men’s basketball program is set to embark on a 10‑day tour of Italy, a journey that will see the Tigers face three foreign opponents in a compact schedule. The trip, announced earlier this week, is designed to give the squad a competitive edge as it prepares for the 2026‑27 season.
Head coach Brad Brownell will be forced to navigate the itinerary with a shortened roster. Injuries have sidelined several key contributors, including Dylan Faulkner, who is nursing a toe problem, and Will Stevens, who sprained his ankle during summer workouts. Both players are expected to miss the entire overseas leg.
The coaching staff also welcomes back Ace Buckner, who is progressing through one‑on‑one and five‑on‑five drills as he recovers from a shoulder issue. While Buckner’s minutes will be limited, his presence on the bench offers a morale boost for a group that will be trimmed to roughly nine active players.
The absence of Carter Welling and Zac Foster, who ended last season with season‑ending injuries, further narrows the options. Nevertheless, Brownell sees the tour as a valuable laboratory for newcomers and freshmen, giving them a chance to acclimate to college‑level competition abroad.
A Positive Outlook
Coach Brownell emphasized that the limited rotation will not dampen the team’s ambition. Instead, he views the Italian fixtures as an opportunity to test defensive schemes and evaluate depth chart permutations before the regular season begins.