Clemson Basketball’s Epic Upset Win: Tigers’ Last-Second Shot Revives ACC Title Dreams

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson basketball is experiencing a bittersweet surge. While Brad Brownell’s 2025-26 Clemson Tigers have sprinted to a 7-1 start, the program is simultaneously mourning the loss of all-time scoring leader Elden Campbell, who died Dec. 2 at age 57. Powered by a balanced, veteran roster, the Tigers are pouring in 85.3 points per game and surrendering just 63.8—top-30 national numbers in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Senior center Carter Welling (11.6 p-pg, 6.5 r-pg) anchors the paint, while guards Jestin Porter and Dillon Hunter stretch defenses with a combined 4.6 made threes per night. Sixth-year coach Brownell has leaned on 10-deep depth: nine Tigers average at least 15 minutes, creating relentless pace that overwhelmed West Virginia, Georgia and Alabama A&M during an unbeaten Thanksgiving week. Campbell’s passing has galvanized the locker room. “Elden’s legacy is why we wear orange with pride,” Brownell said in a statement. The team will honor the 1989-90 ACC champion with a pre-game video and commemorative patch beginning with Wednesday’s showdown versus No. 11 Alabama. The Crimson Tide present Clemson’s first ranked test; a victory would strengthen an NCAA résumé already padded by neutral-site Quadrant-1 wins and a NET ranking inside the top 25. Key storylines to watch: • Three-point boom: Clemson is shooting 38 percent from deep, nearly six points better than last season. Sophomore sharpshooter Jake Wahlin (41 percent) stretches the floor for bully-ball forwards RJ Godfrey and Nick Davidson. • Defensive rim wall: The Tigers swat 2.9 shots per game and hold opponents to 38 percent overall—numbers reminiscent of Campbell’s shot-blocking heyday. • December gauntlet: After Alabama, Clemson hosts BYU, Mercer and arch-rival South Carolina before opening ACC play Dec. 31 against Syracuse. An 11-1 nonconference mark would match the best start of Brownell’s tenure and could land Clemson inside the AP top 15. Inside the ACC race, preseason favorites Duke and North Carolina have already dropped early contests, leaving the door open for Clemson to chase its first regular-season crown since Campbell’s historic 1990 squad. Advanced metrics peg the Tigers with a +16.4 Simple Rating System, comparable to Sweet 16 contenders. Beyond wins and losses, the week’s events underscore Clemson basketball’s bond across generations. Campbell’s 1,880 career points still top the record book, and his NBA championship with Detroit remains a touchstone for alumni. The current roster plans to meet with Campbell’s family later this month, presenting a signed jersey and dedicating the season to his memory. Up next: tip-off against Alabama is set for 7 p.m. ET Wednesday at Littlejohn Coliseum, with ESPN2 providing national coverage. A packed student section, throwback warm-ups and a moment of silence for No. 41 will set an emotional stage as Clemson basketball looks to turn grief into a statement win—and keep riding its hottest start of the decade.