Starting its season 4-0, the Clemson basketball team is firing on all cylinders. The Tigers are hot right now, but it has come against four non-Power 4 opponents to start the season.
Getting a chance to measure his team against a quality opponent on Saturday, head coach Brad Brownell will lead his Clemson Tigers against their toughest opponent to start the 2025-2026 season, the Georgetown Hoyas. Getting a 70-60 win over Maryland on November 7, the Hoyas have been tested early in the season, unlike Clemson so far.
Playing in the Big East Conference, Georgetown is 3-0 to start its season and has hopes to win the Big East title and make it back to the NCAA Tournament in March.
4-star transfer KJ Lewis is a difference maker
In two seasons at Arizona before transferring to Georgetown for the 2025-2026 season, guard/forward KJ Lewis averaged 8.5 points, 2.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game in 73 games as a Wildcat. Now the 6’4” guard/forward is at Georgetown, where he is averaging 16.7 points, 1.7 assists, and eight rebounds per game.
Leading the team in points and rebounds per game, Lewis is a highly skilled player who is at the core of what Georgetown does on offense and defense. The former Arizona Wildcat is shooting 51.5% from the floor and 33.3% from the three-point line, proving he can score at multiple levels on offense.
Junior guard Malik Mack is a second scoring option
Behind the talented Lewis, the Hoyas have a nice second scoring option in their junior guard Malik Mack. Mack is a 6’2” guard who is averaging 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game for Georgetown. Behind Lewis, Mack seems to be the second option for Georgetown’s offense.
Rim protector Vince Iwuchukwu is a threat on the inside
From Nigeria, the 7’1” big man Vince Iwuchukwu is a presence to be reckoned with on the inside. Both as an offensive threat and as a shot blocker presence on the defensive end of the court, Iwuchukwu is a beast inside.
Averaging 11 points, four rebounds, and a staggering 2.7 blocks per game, the 7’1” big man from Nigeria is a serious shot effector. Clemson guards are going to have a hard time trying to get good looks at the rim with Iwuchukwu on the court.
Hoyas team defense
Georgetown is only allowing opponents to shoot 38.4% from inside the three-point line in the first three games of the season, which is good enough to be 9th in the country in opponent two-point percentage.
Clemson will have to be on its A-game Saturday to escape Washington, D.C. with a win. Tip-off is scheduled for noon and will be streamed on Peacock.