Clemson Basketball Falls to Iowa in March Madness

Tigers forward RJ Godfrey discusses the team's first-round tournament loss.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 2:19am

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Clemson's men's basketball team was eliminated from the NCAA March Madness tournament after losing to the University of Iowa in the first round. Tigers forward RJ Godfrey spoke about the defeat and the team's performance during the big dance.

Why it matters

Clemson had high hopes for a deep tournament run this year after a strong regular season, so the early exit is a disappointment for the program and its fans. Godfrey's comments provide insight into the team's mindset and perspective on the loss.

The details

Clemson led Iowa for much of the first half, but the Hawkeyes rallied in the second half to pull away and win the game. Godfrey acknowledged that his team struggled to maintain their intensity and execution down the stretch.

  • The game was played on March 19, 2026.

The players

RJ Godfrey

A forward on the Clemson men's basketball team.

University of Iowa

The opponent that defeated Clemson in the first round of the 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament.

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What they’re saying

“We had them on the ropes in the first half, but they just made more plays than us when it counted. It's a tough way to end the season, but I'm proud of how hard our guys fought.”

— RJ Godfrey, Clemson Tigers Forward

The takeaway

Clemson's early March Madness exit is a disappointment, but the team can take solace in a strong regular season and the experience gained by young players like Godfrey, who will look to lead the Tigers to greater heights next year.