Where does Clemson basketball stand for next season? CBS previews the Tigers

Clemson basketball’s 2026-27 season is still months away, but with most rosters now in place, national projections are starting to roll in.

CBS Sports recently released its early ACC outlook and placed Clemson in the conference’s bubble tier, projecting the Tigers as a team that could be fighting for an NCAA Tournament spot next March.

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The projection includes all four of Clemson’s transfer additions in the starting lineup. Notre Dame transfer Cole Certa, TCU transfer Liutauras Lelevicius, San Francisco transfer David Fuchs and former Samford standout Dylan Faulkner were all projected as starters alongside returning guard Ace Buckner.

While CBS praised the fit of Clemson’s newcomers, questions remain about the Tigers’ overall ceiling. Much of that uncertainty centers around the health of Zac Foster and Carter Welling, both of whom are recovering from torn ACLs. If they can return later in the season, Clemson’s outlook could improve significantly.

There are also concerns about the team’s athleticism, shot creation and rim protection, though Brad Brownell’s track record of player development could help address some of those issues.

National evaluations of Clemson’s transfer class have varied. 247Sports ranked the group No. 53 nationally and ninth in the ACC, while On3’s transfer portal rankings placed the Tigers 17th in the country.