Clemson basketball season preview 2024-25: 3 biggest games, key players to watch, predictions and more

The Clemson Tigers made a surprise run last season, making the Elite Eight for the second time in program history. The team heads into the 2024-25 season with a loaded lineup that features two of last year's main architects of the NCAA Tournament surge and a bunch of transfer and high school recruits that placed the Bill Brownell-mentored squad as one of the top teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference and in the nation.

Let's look at Clemson's season schedule, its key players to watch, and predictions for the coming year.

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Clemson men's basketball 2024-25 season preview: Biggest games, key players to watch and more

Clemson's 3 biggest games in the 2024-25 season

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament West Regional-Alabama vs Clemson - Source: Imagn

Although Clemson's non-conference schedule has not been finalized, its game against Kentucky should be marked in college basketball fans' calendars. The December 3 Tigers-Wildcats clash is part of the 2024 ACC/SEC Challenge and it's considered a litmus test for both conferences' teams who aim to contend in the NCAA Tournament.

Clemson's home games against Duke and North Carolina are the other games fans should watch. The Tigers went toe-to-toe with the Blue Devils and Tar Heels in three exciting encounters last year. Clemson went 1-1 against North Carolina in their home-and-away series while the Tigers came close to beating Duke, but succumbed to a 72-71 defeat.

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Key Clemson players to watch out for in the 2024-25 season

Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin will lead Clemson in the 2024-25 NCAA basketball season. (Image Source: IMAGN)

Clemson coach Brad Brownell will have a solid lineup of six returnees, four transfers, and three freshmen. Last year's NCAA Tournament breakout star Chase Hunter returns for another season as reigning ACC Most Improved Player Ian Schieffelin.

Hunter averaged 12.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game last season and was one of the top contributors in the Tigers' run in the tournament. Schieffelin, meanwhile, tallied 10.1 ppg, 9.4 rpg and 2.2 apg, almost doubling his production in the 2022-23 season.

Aside from Hunter and Schieffelin, transferees Jaeden Zackery and Myles Foster will beef up Clemson in the coming season. The 6 ft. 7 Foster tallied 12.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 1.7 apg during his stint with Illinois State while Zackery came up big for Boston College, averaging 11.3 points, 4.2 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals per contest.

Lakhin and Reeves are seen to give frontline depth for the Tigers, who will miss center/forward PJ Hall, who signed a two-way contract with the NBA's Denver Nuggets.

Clemson also boasts of a freshman class that ranks No. 20 in the country in Dallas Thomas, Del Jones and Ace Buckner. Jones and Buckner are speedy guards who could help the Tigers' playmaking cause while Thomas is expected to man the forward spot for the team and possibly give effective minutes as backup to Schieffelin.

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Clemson predictions for the 2024-25 season

Clemson will be tabbed as favorites in the ACC after a splendid 2023-24 season. They are expected to outclass the opposition using speed, energy and strength. Hunter and Schieffelin will provide veteran leadership in the 2024-25 season while freshmen Thomas, Jones and Buckner, as well as transfer pickups Zackery and Foster, will contribute quality minutes for the Tigers.

Anything lower than an Elite Eight stint would be disappointing for Clemson as they are seen to win an estimated 23 games in the regular season and make the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.