NCAA Basketball: 10 sleeper teams to watch heading into 2023-24 season

Clemson Tigers

It’s hard to argue a 23-11 campaign as a true disappointment, but a poor non-conference strength of schedule, a weak ACC that only sent five bids (and only three single-digit seeds) to the NCAA Tournament and an 83-73 loss to lowly Louisville ultimately sent Brownell’s Tigers en route to a 68-64 First Round exit to Preston Spradlin’s Morehead State Eagles. With the possibility of Brownell’s job security being on the line (again), the Tigers look better equipped to make some noise heading into the 2023-2024 season.

The majority of Clemson’s success will depend on PJ Hall, who opted to return to the Tigers after withdrawing from the NBA Draft. Hall vastly improved his shooting percentages last year and his physicality/strength remains a major asset in his skillset.

Clemson returns fifth-year senior guard Chase Hunter and fifth-year senior Alex Hemenway while welcoming Syracuse transfer and leading scorer Joe Girard and Air Force transfer Jake Heidbreder to create a dynamic, deep and experienced backcourt that should be improved from the perimeter.

The Tigers also added UNC Greensboro transfer Bas Leyte and North Carolina State transfer Jack Clark — both of whom are expected to provide critical role-player minutes for Brad Brownell and Company.

Additionally, the Tiger’s non-conference schedule is certainly no pushover, featuring the likes of Boise State (home-and-home), the two-game Asheville Championship (drawing UAB first), Alabama, TCU, Memphis and South Carolina.

According to Bart Torvik’s preseason rankings, the Clemson Tigers currently rank #34 in the country — although subject to change — placing them third in the ACC, respectively. The Tigers have all the pieces in place to make some noise.