South Carolina will look to extend its win streak to five games when it faces No. 25 Clemson in their annual Palmetto Series rivalry matchup on Tuesday night at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C.
Clemson has had the upper hand in recent years, winning five of the last seven meetings, but they have not won at South Carolina’s home court since 2018. The Tigers (9-2) are coming off a tough 87-82 overtime loss to Memphis, which caused them to drop nine spots in the latest AP Top 25 rankings. Despite the loss, Clemson’s head coach Brad Brownell sees the upcoming game as a significant challenge for his team.
“It’s a tough turnaround,” Brownell remarked after the Memphis defeat. “It’s a big game for a lot of reasons. Obviously, it’s a rivalry game, and we’ll find out what we’re made of. With the emotional ups and downs, you don’t have much time to adjust. This will be a real challenge for us. We need to compete and execute to win.”
As has been the case in recent years, Clemson’s defense remains its biggest strength. The Tigers allow just 64.6 points per game, ranking 36th nationally. They’ve only allowed two opponents to surpass 70 points so far this season.
Offensively, Clemson leans heavily on its veteran players, including several who helped propel the team to the Elite Eight last season. Senior guard Chase Hunter is enjoying a career year, averaging 16 points per game, along with personal bests in 3-point shooting (37.7 percent), rebounds (3.0 per game), and steals (1.4 per game). Meanwhile, 6-foot-8 senior forward Ian Schieffelin has been a force on both ends of the court, ranking third nationally in rebounds with 12 per game, while also contributing 13 points per contest.
The matchup between Schieffelin and South Carolina’s rising star, sophomore Collin Murray-Boyles, is expected to be one of the most exciting storylines of the game. Murray-Boyles, who earned All-SEC Freshman Team honors last season, has been a key player for the Gamecocks this year, leading the team in scoring with 15.7 points per game while shooting an impressive 63.9 percent from the field.
South Carolina also boasts several other impactful players, including Jamarii Thomas, who contributes 12.5 points per game, and Jacobi Wright, who averages 10.6 points per game. Head coach Lamont Paris is preparing his team for a tough battle, stressing the importance of remaining focused and sharp against a Clemson team that has proven itself to be more than just a top-ranked squad.
“They’re not good just because they’ve got a number next to their name,” Paris said, referring to Clemson’s spot in the rankings. “They’re good because they have talented players and they do the little things right. They make winning plays and play winning basketball.”
The Gamecocks are coming off a dominant 20-point victory over South Carolina Upstate on Saturday, where senior Nick Pringle had a standout performance, scoring a season-high 19 points. Despite this win, South Carolina has struggled in other matchups, with losses to Xavier, Indiana, and North Florida this season. However, like Clemson, South Carolina has a strong defensive unit, surrendering just 65.8 points per game.
The last meeting between the two teams was a highly anticipated matchup, with both schools entering the game undefeated at 7-0. Clemson came out on top, holding Murray-Boyles to just five points in 17 minutes and securing a 72-67 win. This year’s matchup promises to be another competitive contest, with both teams eager to prove their strength and take control of the rivalry.
Historically, South Carolina leads the all-time series against Clemson, with a 92-81 record dating back to the 1912-1913 season. As the Gamecocks prepare for this clash, Coach Paris emphasized the need for his players to bring their best effort from the opening tip.
“You’ve got to be intentional about being ready to fight and scrap,” Paris said. “They’re going to come out with that same mentality, so we have to match that intensity. At the same time, we have to stay disciplined and stick to the principles and rules that have made us successful so far.”
The rivalry between South Carolina and Clemson is always a fiercely contested one, with emotions running high and both teams eager to earn bragging rights for the year. With both teams boasting strong defensive units and talented rosters, this game is sure to be a thrilling one, and both teams will be looking to leave their mark on the Palmetto Series.
For Clemson, this game represents an opportunity to bounce back after a tough loss to Memphis and reassert themselves as a contender in the national rankings. For South Carolina, a victory would further solidify their momentum and continue their impressive run of form.
As the two teams prepare for battle, the stakes are clear—this rivalry is about more than just wins and losses. It’s about pride, tradition, and the desire to come out on top in one of college basketball’s most passionate and historic rivalries.
In the end, only one team will leave Colonial Life Arena victorious, but regardless of the outcome, fans can expect a high-energy, hard-fought contest that highlights the best of what college basketball has to offer. Whether it’s a gritty defensive stand or a clutch scoring run, this game will certainly have its share of memorable moments, as both South Carolina and Clemson battle for supremacy in the Palmetto State.
