Where Clemson sits in NET rankings, KenPom after big win vs SMU

Clemson basketball took down the 24th-ranked SMU Mustangs, 74-70, Wednesday night at Littlejohn Coliseum behind 17 points from senior RJ Godfrey, who made six of seven shots from the field. The win over SMU marked the second straight season Clemson (13-3) has started 3-0 in ACC play.

A 17-4 first-half run staked the Tigers to a 34-25 halftime lead. In what’s become a familiar pattern this season, Clemson then had to hold on for the victory in the final 20 minutes.

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The Tigers led by as many as 15 in the second half but withstood a surge from SMU’s Boopie Miller, who had a game-high 23 points and helped the Mustangs trim Clemson’s lead to four at 71-67 with 1:23 left.

Miller’s missed layup with 24 seconds to play gave Clemson the ball with a four-point lead. Jake Wahlin and Dillon Hunter sank three separate foul shots from there as the Tigers held an SMU team that came into the night averaging an ACC-best 91.5 points per game to just 70. The Mustangs shot 37 percent against Clemson, which got 10 points from Hunter behind Godfrey’s 17 points and six rebounds.

The 2024-25 Tigers were an NCAA Tournament team, as was the 2023-24 squad that made it all the way to the Elite Eight. Clemson coach Brad Brownell has never led three consecutive teams to an NCAA Tournament during his 16 seasons at Clemson, but it would be extremely tough to bet against him this season.

Clemson basketball rises in NET rankings after beating SMU

The Clemson Tigers bench cheers Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, during the NCAA men’s basketball game against the SMU Mustangs at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, South Carolina. Clemson Tigers won 74-70.

Clemson is currently No. 32 in the NET rankings, up one spot from before its victory over the Mustangs. The Tigers’ win over SMU was a Quadrant 1 victory.

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Here’s a breakdown of Clemson’s record against teams this season.

vs. Quad 1 opponents: 2-2

vs. Quad 2 opponents: 4-0

vs. Quad 3 opponents: 2-1

vs. Quad 4 opponents: 5-0

Where Clemson basketball…

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Publish date : 2026-01-08 17:19:00

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