Brad Brownell Preseason 1-on-1

By Zach Wagner

Following an end to a season like never before, Brad Brownell now has his sights set on leading the Clemson Men’s Basketball Team into its 2020-21 season. After a 16-15 record to end the season, Clemson was set to take on the Florida State Seminoles in the ACC Tournament Quarterfinals before they were waved off the court during warmups due to the cancellation of the rest of the tournament and the NCAA Tournament because of the COVID-19 virus. 

Brownell knows the difficulties that will come with this season, including having to deal with having games cancelled or postponed because of the virus. 

Clemson Basketball Head Coach Brad Brownell: "There are going to be challenges that pop up and make this season difficult. I'm really excited for this team though."#ClemsonSportsNews

— ClemsonSportsNews (@ClemSportNews) November 12, 2020

Clemson fans were sometimes dismayed with the way the Tigers played last season. After beating Duke, Louisville and Florida State (all top-six ranked teams at the time) inside of Littlejohn Coliseum and finally ending the winless streak up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the Tigers would play down to the level of their opponent in other games. Losses at the end of the season to Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech to close out the season, the odds of Clemson making the NCAA Tournament were very slim and they would have to make a deep run in the ACC Tournament to make up for it.

Brownell: "The coaches see how hard these kids work. When you get to see a court storming and seeing our players get to celebrate with their fellow students, that's a cool moment as a coach."#ClemsonSportsNews

— ClemsonSportsNews (@ClemSportNews) November 12, 2020

The Virginia Cavaliers were picked to win the ACC by the media on Wednesday, with Clemson tabbed to finish 10th in the league. This is surprising seeing that Clemson returns all five starters from last year, including Preseason All-ACC First Team Forward Aamir Simms. 

The Tigers did have to deal with the injury bug last year, as multiple starters and role players off the bench had nagging injuries they dealt with all season. Clemson will also get Nick Honor this season, after last season he had his eligibility denied by the NCAA. 

Al-Amir Dawes showed flashes of greatness at the end of the season last year, hitting the game-winning layup against a top-10 ranked Florida State team. 

Brownell: "Al-Amir Dawes was handed the point guard position last year. By the end of the year, he was the guy making the big plays."#ClemsonSportsNews

— ClemsonSportsNews (@ClemSportNews) November 12, 2020

Clemson will begin its season on November 25th down in Melbourne, Florida for the Space Coast Challenge. The Tigers will open play against Mississippi State and will take on either Liberty or Purdue the following day on the 26th.

The first game for Clemson in Littlejohn Coliseum will be on December 2nd against South Carolina State. 

https://youtu.be/Nlo8XyYtHhE