The bracket is set, the bags are packed and the "Littlejohn South" vibes are headed to the Sunshine State. Coach Brad Brownell’s Clemson Tigers are now in the Big Dance as a result of toughness, impressive ACC upsets and a hard-nosed defensive identity.
Standing in the way of advancing to the Round of 32 is the Iowa Hawkeyes. This doesn’t just boil down to 8-vs 9, it's also a clash of generations versus culture at Benchmark International Stadium in Tampa. Iowa took four-takes in the history books but are the soul of this 2026 Clemson team which has been the one that has done the winning work over the past five months for the doubters.
Battle-Tested and Ready
Clemson (24-10) arrives in Florida with its chin tucked and its guard up. We saw what this team is capable of during a thrilling ACC Tournament with a stunning victory on the North Carolina and fall to the conference leader Duke Blue Devils 73-61 in the final.
The Tigers have gone through a gauntlet this year, including that tough stretch in February, but they did manage to punch upward. Whether that was that overtime thriller in Georgia or going 3-0 at Palmetto Series against South Carolina, this group knows how to win in the lights.
Defense vs. High Volume
As such, the Tigers will turn to Iowa’s very experienced guard Bennett Stirtz to defeat him, an athlete who brings a scoring average of nearly 20.2 points to the tournament. He’s the motor of a Hawkeye team (21-12) which slipped late in the Big Ten Tournament against Ohio State yet still presents as a capable perimeter player— and not just a big one who makes play at the end of it.
Clemson has an equally balanced and physical approach. RJ Godfrey has the lead role at 12-18 Tigers with the heartbreak of losing Carter Welling (torn ACL). Jestin Porter Jr. (9.6 PPG) have led the Tiger’s run, providing second hand scoring power. It’s a “next man up” philosophy Clemson has adopted in this season with the emphasis on the next man up.
On Friday Night Lights, how do you watch you take a break?
The orange and white faithful will be out in force in Tampa, but if you aren't making the trip to Benchmark International Arena, here are the odds to get to the action:
Date: Friday, March 20
Time: 6:50 p.m. ET
TV Channel: TNT
The broadcast crew is Tom McCarthy, Candace Parker and Dan Bonner (Commentary); AJ Ross (Sideline)
The Betting Line
Vegas expects a nail-biter, with the Hawkeyes now a very slim favorite so far.
Spread: Iowa by 2 1/2
Over/Under: 129 1/2
Money line: Iowa (-135), Clemson (+110)
Prediction: Clemson 78, Iowa 72
The Tigers have been the underdog before— and we know exactly how that usually ends for the other guys. Put on the orange, find a screen, and get ready. It's March, and the Tigers are hungry.