Clemson, Memphis 'close' to home-and-home series
Clemson and Memphis are close to finalizing a home-and-home series, according to On3’s Matt Connolly. Memphis would host the game this upcoming season while Clemson would host during the 2024-25 season.
The two schools have never played each other in men’s basketball.
Memphis made the NCAA Tournament last season while Clemson just missed out on the tournament. Memphis lost in the first round in a close defeat to Florida Atlantic, who went on to make a memorable underdog run to the 2023 Men’s Final Four.
The Owls won 76-75, which was the closest game Florida Atlantic played on its run to Houston before losing to San Diego State, 72-71.
Penny Hardaway will be in sixth season leading Memphis this upcoming campaign. He is 111-52 in his Memphis head coaching career, including two NIT appearances and two NCAA Tournament appearances. Memphis also won the 2021 NIT title under Hardaway.
Brad Brownell will be in his 14 season at the head of the Clemson program. He had previously coached at UNC Wilmington and Wright State before taking over the ACC program.
Clemson has made the NCAA Tournament three times and the NIT four times under Brownell, who is 241-177 over the past 13 seasons.
Last season, Clemson was 23-11 and reached a high ranking of No. 19 in the AP Poll before losing in the first round of the NIT.
The Memphis series is the second piece of major news to come out of the Clemson program over the past week after PJ Hall announced he was withdrawing from the NBA Draft.
“When Hall announced that he was turning pro, the plan was for him to go through the process, get some feedback and return for his senior season. However, once Hall started the process, his stock went up in a hurry,” Connolly wrote after Hall’s decision.
“Hall is finally back fully healthy and feels good. He showed off impressive athleticism, nice touch around the basket and excellent shooting from the outside during private workouts for teams and at the NBA combine. He likely would have been drafted in the second round and at the least seemed headed for a two-way contract had he turned pro. As one contact put it to me, “he feels awesome and is very confident.” Instead, he opted to return to school because of his love for Clemson, his love for Brad Brownell and for the chance to have a special season.”