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Clemson Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Tigers

By Chris Kern

SAN DIEGO, CA - MARCH 18: The Clemson Tigers bench reacts as the near the end of the second half against the Auburn Tigers during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 18, 2018 in San Diego, California. The Clemson Tigers won 84-53. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - MARCH 18: The Clemson Tigers bench reacts as the near the end of the second half against the Auburn Tigers during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 18, 2018 in San Diego, California. The Clemson Tigers won 84-53. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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OMAHA, NE – MARCH 23: Head coach Brad Brownell of the Clemson Tigers reacts against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE – MARCH 23: Head coach Brad Brownell of the Clemson Tigers reacts against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

This Clemson Basketball team will have to replace a couple of key players from a year ago. Despite that expect this team to be in the NCAA Tournament field.

The Tigers lost two key players from a year ago in Gabe DeVoe and Donte Grantham. Grantham did get injured about halfway through the season so they were without him for much of conference play as well as throughout their tournament run.

They did also lose backup big man Mark Donnal who came over as a graduate transfer from Michigan.

They made it to the Sweet 16 as a five seed last season before falling to the top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks. Their win over 4th seeded Auburn was one of the most dominating performances there was in the tournament last year. Clemson won that game 84-53.

This team has three seniors as good as any seniors in the country. Shelton Mitchell and Marcquise Reed combine to make up one of the best and most experienced backcourts in America.

Then you have senior big man Elijah Thomas. Thomas transferred over from Texas A&M during his freshmen season. He has developed into a really good post scorer and they’ll lean on him in a big way on that end of the floor.

They also bring in some freshmen who can make an impact despite being lower ranked by 247sports. John Newman could possibly a starter this season as he was in their first exhibition of the season.

Replacing who they lost is going to be tough, but they have the guys to do it. Expect their seniors to step up in a big way as they’ll look to build off the success they had last season.