Clemson Basketball Suffers Two-Loss Week

Head coach Brad Brownell and his team learned valuable lessons despite back-to-back losses against Virginia Tech and No. 4 Duke.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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For the first time this season, the Clemson Tigers had a full week without a win. Head coach Brad Brownell and his team suffered back-to-back losses for the second time this season against Virginia Tech and No. 4 Duke, capping off a low week that allowing his team to learn a little more about themselves going forward.

Why it matters

These losses provided Brownell with valuable insights into his team's strengths and weaknesses, which will help them improve and get back to the form they showed in January.

The details

Clemson's starting guards, Jestin Porter and Dillon Hunter, struggled against Duke's size, finishing with a combined 8 points in 58 minutes. However, Brownell believes they will bounce back as they are better shooters than they've shown recently. Despite the poor offensive showing, Brownell was proud of his team's defensive effort and wants them to stay true to their identity as a gritty, defensive-minded squad. The losses also provided good teaching moments for both the young and experienced players on the team.

  • Clemson suffered back-to-back losses against Virginia Tech and No. 4 Duke this past week.
  • Clemson will be back in action on Wednesday night, playing Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

The players

Brad Brownell

Clemson's head basketball coach who is guiding his team through a tough stretch.

Jestin Porter

One of Clemson's starting guards who struggled against Duke but Brownell believes will bounce back.

Dillon Hunter

The other starting guard for Clemson who also had a tough game against Duke.

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What they’re saying

“Those guys, they'll make some. They're better shooters than they've had been this last week or two. I don't know if we're a little fatigued or not. I've to got do a few thins to help them better, but they'll be fine.”

— Brad Brownell, Clemson Head Coach (SI.com)

“Don't forget who we are and why we've had success, and, you know, we have to defend at a high level. We've got to continue to play as a team. I'm proud of this group. This group, it takes a lot for us.”

— Brad Brownell, Clemson Head Coach (SI.com)

“There's good teaching moments for young guys, old guys alike. You're going to get exposed, and whether it's on offense or defense, you make a mistake, you know you're a half a second behind a play, they're going to make you pay for it.”

— Brad Brownell, Clemson Head Coach (SI.com)

“I thought we guarded about as well as we can guard them, and thought our kids played their tails off. I thought we fought. . .I thought our kids competed.”

— Brad Brownell, Clemson Head Coach (SI.com)

What’s next

Clemson will look to bounce back on Wednesday night when they take on Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

The takeaway

While Clemson suffered two tough losses this past week, the experience provided valuable lessons for the team, both young and old players alike. Brownell remains confident that his team will return to their strong defensive identity and get back on track as the season progresses.