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Clemson Basketball Stays Focused on Next Game, Not Duke Matchup
Tigers coach Brad Brownell wants his team to enjoy the journey, not look too far ahead.
Published on Feb. 8, 2026
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Clemson basketball is tied for first place in the ACC after routing Cal 77-55 on the road. The No. 19 Tigers have now won 14 straight ACC road games, tying a conference record. However, coach Brad Brownell is not looking ahead to the upcoming showdown with No. 4 Duke, instead keeping his team's focus on their next game against Virginia Tech. Brownell wants his players to "enjoy the experience and enjoy the journey" of the long season rather than looking too far ahead.
Why it matters
Clemson's impressive road win over Cal has them tied atop the ACC standings with Duke. A potential top-20 matchup between the Tigers and Blue Devils on February 14 could determine sole possession of first place in the conference. However, Brownell is preaching a "one game at a time" mentality to his team, wanting them to stay focused on the immediate task at hand rather than looking too far ahead.
The details
Clemson (20-4, 10-1 ACC) routed Cal 77-55 on February 7, joining Duke as the only ACC teams to win on the road against both California schools this season. The Tigers played stifling defense, holding Cal to its fewest points of the year. Redshirt freshman Ace Buckner led Clemson with 13 points off the bench, while fellow redshirt freshman Dallas Thomas scored a career-high 8 points. The win was Clemson's 14th straight road ACC victory, tying the second-longest streak in conference history.
- Clemson beat Cal on February 7.
- Clemson and Duke are currently tied for first place in the ACC with 10-1 conference records.
- Clemson will host Virginia Tech on February 11 before traveling to face Duke on February 14.
The players
Brad Brownell
The head coach of the Clemson Tigers basketball team.
Ace Buckner
A redshirt freshman guard for the Clemson Tigers who scored a team-high 13 points off the bench against Cal.
Dallas Thomas
A redshirt freshman forward for the Clemson Tigers who scored a career-high 8 points against Cal.
What they’re saying
“We're trying to enjoy the experience and enjoy the journey. These are long, long seasons, hard season. We want our guys to be excited, energized.”
— Brad Brownell, Head Coach (greenvilleonline.com)
“He's a redshirt freshman, so he's a little older than your typical guy. He's been around it because of his dad, and so I just think his maturity level is probably higher than most young guys at that same age.”
— Brad Brownell, Head Coach (greenvilleonline.com)
What’s next
Clemson will host Virginia Tech on February 11 before traveling to face Duke on February 14 in a potential top-20 matchup for sole possession of first place in the ACC.
The takeaway
Clemson's impressive road win over Cal has them tied atop the ACC standings, but coach Brad Brownell is preaching a "one game at a time" mentality to his team. Rather than looking ahead to the marquee Duke matchup, Brownell wants his players to stay focused on the immediate task at hand and "enjoy the journey" of the long season.
