Clemson, S.C. – 8-Seed Clemson will face 9-Seed USC (Southern Cal.) on Saturday, Mar. 21 In the First Round of the NCAA Tournament in Columbia, S.C. (Sacramento 4 Region). Tipoff is slated for 3:30 p.m., and the game will air live on ESPN2.
QUANTIFY IT!
- Clemson’s 17th NCAA Tournament appearance is the program’s second appearance in the last quarter of a century
- The Tigers return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seven years.
- Clemson’s 17th all‑time bid is just the program’s third NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002.
- This is the first NCAA Tournament Appearance of the Coach Poppie Era.
- It is the first time in 28 years that both MBB & WBB have made the NCAA tournament, and the sixth time in program history that both programs have played in the NCAA tournament in the same season (1988-89, 1989-90, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98, 2025-26).
CLEMSON NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY
- Clemson holds an all-time record of 15-16 in NCAA Tournament games.
- The Tigers record as an 8-Seed: 0-0
- Clemson's record in the First-Round: 7-2
- Clemson vs USC in the NCAAT: First Meeting (1st meeting in program history as well).
A WIN WOULD MEAN
- If Clemson wins, the Tigers will move on to the Second and face the winner of 1-Seed South Carolina vs. Southern U./ Samford on Monday, Mar. 23 (ESPN/ESPN2, Time TBD).
- If Clemson reaches 22 wins, it will be the fourth 22-win season in program history.
- If the Tigers win, it will be the 16th NCAA Tournament win in program history and the first NCAAT win in seven years (2018-19 season)
- If CU wins, it will be the first NCAA Tournament win for head Coach Shawn Poppie (both Career & at Clemson).
THE CLEMSON-USC SERIES
This will be the first time these two schools have matched up in program history.
LAST TIME OUT
Clemson fell to Duke, 60-46 in Duluth, Georgia, during the Quarterfinals of the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament. Senior guard Mia Moore (17 points) scored double figures for the 23rd time this season.
BEST OF THE TIGERS
In the latest Nitty Gritties Report, Clemson is ranked 41st in the NET, 42nd in the NET SOS, and 36th in the WAB. Clemson is ranked 48th nationally (1st in the ACC) in scoring defense, allowing 58.7 points per game, and 38th nationally (2nd in the ACC) in 3-pointers per game (8.1 3FG Per Game). In 19 games this season, Clemson has held its opponent to under 60 points. The Tigers have made 10+ 3-pointers in 11 games this season. The Tigers are led by the scoring duo of senior guard Mia Moore (All-ACC 2nd Team, 13.5 ppg.) and junior guard/ forward Rusne Augustinaite (10.9 ppg.). Augustinaite is also averaging 2.5 3PM Per Game (3rd in the ACC) and her 80 3PM Ranks 47th Nationally (Needs single 3-pointer to capture the single season program record). Moore holds a team-best 4.6 assists average (66th nationally & 5th in the ACC) and a 1.2 steals average. Graduate Forward Demeara Hinds (6.3 rpg.) leads the Tigers on the glass. Senior guard/forward Hadley Periman is the squad’s leading shot blocker (1.0 bpg.) (18th in the ACC).
2026-27 GENERAL ADMISSION SEASON TICKETS
CLEMSON WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH SHAWN POPPIE SIGNS CONTRACT EXTENSION
Clemson women’s basketball Head Coach Shawn Poppie has signed a contract extension through the 2030-31 season, announced by Athletic Director Graham Neff. The Board of Trustees compensation committee approved the action on Friday morning (Feb. 6).
“I’m incredibly grateful to Clemson University and Graham Neff for their Commitment to me, my staff and our entire Clemson women’s basketball program,” said coach Poppie. “We’re proud to represent the Paw and to make Clemson University proud in everything we do, both on the court and in the community. We’re thrilled to continue building something special here at Clemson!”
CLEMSON’S BARBARA KENNEDY-DIXON NAMED TO 2026 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS
Barbara Kennedy-Dixon has been named to The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (WBHOF) Class of 2026 as a posthumous veteran honoree. To this day, Kennedy-Dixon leads Clemson & The ACC in Career Points (3,113) and scoring average (24.5). She is one of just eight players with at least 3,000 points and 1,000 rebounds since the NCAA started sponsoring women’s sports in 1981-82 (Barbara’s senior year). The Tennessee Theatre will host the induction ceremony on Saturday, June 27, 2026.
TIGERS INK MONSTER SIGNING CLASS: HIGHEST EVER IN PROGRAM HISTORY!
The incoming 2026 class is the highest-ranked signing class in program history and ranks fourth nationally (per 247 Sports) and sixth nationally (per ESPN). Coach Poppie, who is in his second year at the helm, has signed six Top-100 recruits in two years. Prior to the Poppie Era at Clemson, the program has only had six Top-100 recruits in the previous 12 years.
The Class includes: Trinity Jones, Kimora Fields, Julia Scott, Meeyah Green, and Dyarri Braddick.
TICKETS
Fans can purchase women's basketball tickets by calling 1-800-CLEMSON or at ClemsonTigers.com/Tickets/.
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