Injury woes and a slow start hinder the Tigers' chances against the Hawkeyes in Tampa.
Category: Sports
TAMPA, Fla. — The Clemson men’s basketball team saw its hopes of a deep NCAA Tournament run dashed once again, falling to the No. 9 Iowa Hawkeyes 67-61 in the first round of the tournament on March 20, 2026. This loss marks the second consecutive year the Tigers exited in the Round of 64, following a historic Elite Eight run just two seasons prior.
The game, held at Benchmark International Arena, started off on a challenging note for Clemson. Head coach Brad Brownell's squad fell behind by double digits within the first seven minutes, struggling to find their rhythm throughout the first half. A notable absence was junior forward Carter Welling, the team's second-leading scorer and top rebounder, who was sidelined after tearing his ACL in the ACC Tournament earlier this month. Freshman guard Zac Foster was also out due to a previous knee injury.
Iowa, led by Second Team All-Big 10 guard Bennett Stirtz, took advantage of Clemson’s early struggles. The Hawkeyes quickly established control, with Stirtz scoring 16 points and Kael Combs adding 11 points in the first half alone. Iowa’s aggressive rebounding, particularly their 15 offensive boards, allowed them to extend possessions and maintain their lead for nearly the entire game.
Despite the early deficit, the Tigers showed resilience. They managed to cut the lead to just four points with 1:28 remaining in the game, thanks to a series of clutch plays, including a timely three-pointer from Butta Johnson, who finished with 11 points. However, Iowa responded effectively, with Combs hitting a contested layup to push the lead back to six points, effectively sealing the game for the Hawkeyes.
“We had our chances, but we just couldn't get over the hump,” Brownell said after the game. “We fought hard, but their rebounding and free throw shooting were too much for us to overcome.”
Clemson’s shooting woes were evident, particularly in the early stages of the game. The Tigers shot just 30% from the field in the first half, hitting only 10 of their 33 attempts before a late surge brought them to a 25-point total at halftime. They finished the game with a slightly improved shooting percentage but still struggled to find consistent scoring opportunities.
“It felt like déjà vu out there,” said senior RJ Godfrey, who led Clemson with 15 points, three assists, and seven rebounds in his final game with the Tigers. “We just couldn't find our groove early on, and it cost us.”
The first half was particularly frustrating for Clemson fans, reminiscent of last year's opening round where the Tigers scored just 13 points in the first half against McNeese State. This time, they managed to score 25 but faced a similar fate. At one point, they trailed by as much as 14 points, with Iowa's defense stifling their efforts and forcing multiple scoring droughts.
The Tigers did show signs of life, especially in the second half, where they managed to string together a few scoring runs. They cut the deficit to just two points at one stage, but Iowa’s ability to respond with quick runs kept Clemson at bay. “We knew they were going to make runs, and we had to be ready to counter,” said Stirtz, who was pivotal in maintaining Iowa's momentum.
As the clock wound down, Clemson made a last-ditch effort to close the gap, hitting a three-pointer to bring the score to 65-60 with just 16 seconds left. However, Iowa’s ability to capitalize on free throws down the stretch ensured their victory. The Hawkeyes hit 19 free throws compared to Clemson's three, highlighting the Tigers' struggles with foul trouble throughout the game.
“We just couldn’t get stops when we needed to,” said Brownell. “Foul trouble really hurt our rotation and allowed them to score too easily.”
With this loss, Clemson ends its season with a record of 24-11, a stark contrast to the previous year's success. The team will now look to regroup and rebuild in the offseason, with Brownell aiming to retain key players while exploring options in the transfer portal. “We’ve had a lot of highs this season, but this is a tough way to end it,” he added.
Meanwhile, Iowa advances to the second round of the tournament, where they will face either No. 1 seed Florida or No. 16 Prairie View A&M. The Hawkeyes, now with a record of 22-12, hope to build on this momentum as they continue their March Madness journey.
The loss for Clemson serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in the NCAA Tournament, where a slow start can be detrimental. As they reflect on this season, the Tigers will be looking to learn from their experiences and return stronger next year.