Clemson Basketball: A Strong 7–3 Start, But the Tigers Still Need Their Closer

After the greatest season in program history, Clemson basketball entered 2025 with more questions than answers. Brad Brownell basically had to rebuild the entire roster from scratch, losing almost every major contributor from last year’s run. But through ten games, the Tigers sit at 7–3, showing flashes of real depth, talent, and chemistry.

But they’re also showing one huge problem.

Clemson still doesn’t have a true number one scorer or closer.

And after back-to-back battles against No. 12 Alabama and No. 10 BYU, that weakness is becoming impossible to ignore. It’s the question everyone around Clemson wants answered. Is it Dillon Hunter, the veteran and the only returning player? Is it Justin Porter, who’s shown flashes as a tough bucket-getter? Is it freshman Zac Foster, the ultra-talented prospect with star upside?

Brad Brownell and the Tigers need that answer — and fast — because ACC play is coming, and the league is absolutely stacked this year.

The Alabama game told the whole Clemson story in 40 minutes. The Tigers started horribly, fell behind early, and looked outmatched. Then, in true Clemson fashion, they fought back with toughness, defense, and heart. By the second half, Clemson had a real chance to steal a road win against a top-tier opponent.

But turnovers hurt. Missed free throws hurt. And the lack of a go-to scorer in winning time hurt the most.

Freshman Zac Foster had his moments, but in crunch time he missed shots that a true number one guy needs to hit. Those are growing pains — understandable, but still costly.

The Jimmy V Classic matchup with BYU was almost the reverse of Alabama. Clemson came out on fire. The Tigers defended, hit shots, and built a massive 22-point lead in the first half. They even slowed down BYU’s projected NBA lottery pick, AJ Dybantsa, early.

Then the second half happened.

Clemson couldn’t score, couldn’t defend, and couldn’t slow down Dybantsa, who erupted for 28 points and took over the game late. And once again, when the game tightened, Clemson had nobody to hand the ball to and say, “Go get us a bucket.”

Last year, Chase Hunter was that guy — a constant 20-plus-point threat who lived for clutch moments. This year, Clemson still hasn’t found that player.

The truth is simple. Clemson has lost every true test so far: Georgetown on the road, Alabama on the road, and BYU on a national stage.

But here’s the encouraging part.

This team is talented. This team is deep. And this team competes.

Brad Brownell has the pieces. Now he has to find the right combination and identify the alpha — the player who wants the ball when everything is on the line.

If Clemson figures that out before ACC play heats up, this absolutely can be a March team. A 7–3 start is nothing to panic about, but if the Tigers want to dance in March, they need to grow up fast, tighten late-game execution, and find their Chase Hunter replacement.

The potential is there.
The depth is there.
Now it’s time to turn it into wins.

Go Tigers.
I Bleed Orange forever.