Clemson Basketball Crushed by Duke, Coach Brownell Calls for Team Unity

Brownell urges Tigers to 'not forget who we are' after lopsided loss to Blue Devils

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Clemson Tigers basketball coach Brad Brownell delivered a simple message to his team after they were thoroughly outplayed in a 67-54 loss to the Duke Blue Devils. Brownell acknowledged his team's 'margins are small' to win consistently and urged them to 'not forget who we are and why we've had success', emphasizing the need for collective execution rather than relying on individual shot creators.

Why it matters

The loss to Duke highlighted Clemson's struggles to score consistently, an issue that has plagued them throughout the season. As one of the ACC's more efficient offenses earlier in the year, the Tigers' inability to establish a consistent rhythm in the half-court and lack of reliable scoring options proved to be their downfall against the Blue Devils.

The details

Duke's defensive control and execution were the keys to their victory, as they took away Clemson's preferred driving lanes and forced the Tigers into late-clock shots. Clemson never found their offensive rhythm, missing layups, struggling from beyond the arc, and making hesitant perimeter decisions, allowing Duke to gradually pull away. Carter Welling was the only Tiger to score in double digits with 12 points, while Duke's Carlos Boozer led all scorers with 18 points and 8 rebounds.

  • The game took place on February 14, 2026.

The players

Brad Brownell

The head coach of the Clemson Tigers basketball team.

Carlos Boozer

A player for the Duke Blue Devils who led all scorers with 18 points and 8 rebounds.

Carter Welling

A Clemson Tigers player who scored a team-high 12 points in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“Don't forget who we are and why we've had success.”

— Brad Brownell, Head Coach, Clemson Tigers (X)

“We can't score. It's pretty simple. To hold Duke to 67, I probably would've taken that. We just can't keep up. We're not as gifted as some of the teams at the top of the league, so we have to minimize our mistakes.”

— Brad Brownell, Head Coach, Clemson Tigers (X)

What’s next

The Tigers will look to bounce back in their next game against the North Carolina Tar Heels on February 18, 2026.

The takeaway

Brownell's message to his team highlights the need for Clemson to focus on their collective strengths and execution rather than relying on individual talent, as they lack the same level of gifted scorers as some of the top teams in the ACC. The Tigers will need to find ways to minimize mistakes and establish a consistent offensive rhythm if they hope to compete with the conference's elite programs.