The Clemson Tigers men's basketball team entered the 2024-25 season with a remarkable surge of momentum. Their unexpected run to the Elite Eight in the 2024 NCAA Tournament set the stage for this year. However, initially, not much was expected from this group as they began the campaign unranked. Some analysts even viewed them as a bubble team. But through 10 games, they are clearly proving that their tournament run was no fluke.

Tournament Triumph and Early Season Success

In the Sunshine Slam tournament, a championship was won as they defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions and San Francisco Dons. The most memorable win came in the SEC/ACC Challenge when they hosted the Kentucky Wildcats at Littlejohn Coliseum. Clemson took down the No. 4 team in the country, 70-66, securing a season-defining victory. Their only loss so far was a true road game against the Boise State Broncos, 84-71. Over the first month of the season, they have handled business well and are continuing to make their mark.After that victory, there was a question of how the team would fare. Would there be a hangover leading to a disappointing follow-up? But the Tigers proved otherwise. They went on the road to start ACC play and defeated the Miami Hurricanes, 65-55. With a 9-1 record on the year, they are surging up the college basketball power rankings shared by Jeff Borzello of ESPN.

Upcoming Challenges and Rivalry Games

Following the matchup against the Memphis Tigers, Clemson heads back on the road for their rivalry game against the South Carolina Gamecocks just three days later. After that, ACC play gets underway fully. The Tigers will face tough challenges over the next few months as their strength of schedule is one of the toughest amongst other teams thought to be on the bubble. This will give them ample opportunities to strengthen their resume for when Selection Sunday rolls around.They have held nine of their 10 opponents to fewer than one point per possession this season, with Boise State being the only team to surpass that mark (and the only team to beat Clemson so far). The Tigers limit fast-break points and second-chance points, forcing teams to make plays in the half-court. Memphis has the guards to do just that, which makes Saturday's game intriguing. They are ready to face these challenges and continue their upward trajectory in the college basketball world.