Tigers Roar into AP Poll With Seven-Game Streak
Clemson’s men’s basketball team cracked the AP Top 25 at No. 22 for the first time this season after a seven-game win streak highlighted by victories over No. 24 SMU and Notre Dame. The Tigers jumped into conference play 4-0—the first back-to-back seasons they’ve started perfect—and boast the ACC’s top scoring defense, allowing just 65.6 points per game. With key road wins and strong team chemistry touted by coach Brad Brownell, Clemson looks poised to climb further as it faces Boston College and Miami in the coming week.
In a move that surprised absolutely no one who’s seen mascots high-five each other more often than the Tigers guard the rim, Clemson’s basketball squad finally earned a number next to its name in the AP Poll. Apparently, seven wins in a row was enough to convince pollsters that maybe, just maybe, these guys are not the same crew that once lost to a local YMCA team in overtime. Fans everywhere are already drafting celebratory bake sales and group hug sessions. Next up: convince the rest of the country that scoring more than 60 points isn’t just a fluke happening every night.
Top-30 Safety Ricardo Jones Swaps Tigers for Commodores
Ricardo Jones, a top-30 safety in the transfer portal and former Clemson starter, committed to Vanderbilt after a standout 2025 season where he notched six interceptions—including a pick-six against South Carolina—and 39 tackles. Losing Jones, along with two other safeties, forced Clemson to act fast, landing Jerome Carter III and Corey Myrick from Group of Six programs. Both newcomers bring strong production: Carter tied for second in the FBS with six interceptions, while Myrick logged 91 tackles and solid coverage stats. Clemson hopes these portal acquisitions will fill the gap left by departing players and coaches.
In an unprecedented turn of events, Clemson decided that one true-sophomore safety with more picks than a karaoke night should be sufficient reason to hit the transfer button. Vanderbilt, ever the juggernaut of Southeastern college football, welcomed Jones with open arms—and possibly a sherbet dispenser. Meanwhile, Clemson frantically scrolled through Group of Six rosters like bargain hunters on Black Friday, snagging two safeties who claim they’ve never been here before but definitely know how to tackle. Because nothing says stability like replacing a sure thing with two relative unknowns and the hope that the pre-season hype survives first contact.
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