Clemson women’s basketball – Page 2

With Shawn Poppie hire, Clemson hopes to turn its women’s basketball program into contender

NCAA Women’s Basketball: Clemson is hoping to turn its women’s basketball program into an annual contender. To do so, the university tabbed Chattanooga’s Shawn Poppie as its new head coach on Tuesday.

Clemson is hoping to turn its women’s basketball program into an annual contender.

To do so, the university tabbed Chattanooga’s Shawn Poppie as its new head coach on Tuesday. The 38-year-old Poppie replaces Amanda Butler, whom the university parted ways with after a disappointing 12-19 season that included just five wins in conference play. Butler had led the program for six seasons. Clemson hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 2019, Butler’s first year.

In two seasons at Chattanooga, Poppie led the Mocs to a 48-18 record and two NCAA Tournament appearances. Poppie was named the 2023-24 Southern Conference Coach of the Year. Chattanooga won the Southern Conference championship in each of the past two seasons. They lost, 64-45, to No. 3 seed NC State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday.

“We are thrilled to welcome Shawn and his family to Clemson,” Clemson athletic director Graham Neff said Tuesday. “As we worked through our search process, his name kept coming up in several circles, and the on-court results speak for themselves. He’s coached and recruited at a high level, has experience in the ACC and in the upstate, and we are confident in his ability to get our program to the next level.”

Poppie received a six-year contract from Clemson worth $3.375 million annually through the 2029-2030 season. The agreement was officially approved by the Board of Trustees’ compensation committee on Tuesday. Poppie will earn $500,000 next season, plus an additional $25,000 until the final year of the contract when he’s expected to be paid $625,000. He will also receive a signing bonus of $435,000.

More details about Poppie’s contract, including bonuses, can be found at The Clemson Insider, which first reported the news of Poppie’s hire.

“I am beyond excited to be joining the Clemson Tiger family as the next head women’s basketball coach,” Poppie said in a statement Tuesday. “I am thankful to Graham Neff, Stephanie Ellison-Johnson, and the Clemson University administration for making our family feel welcome. It truly has been a humbling experience getting to know why Clemson is so special — it’s the people. With the resources in place and everyone moving in synergy together, I believe we can compete in the ACC, the best women’s basketball conference in the country.”

Poppie has ties to the ACC, having spent six years as an assistant coach at Virginia Tech. Before becoming the head coach at Chattanooga, Poppie had been promoted to associate head coach on Kenny Brooks’ Virginia Tech staff ahead of the 2020-21 season.

TAKEAWAY

The popularity of women’s basketball, particularly at the college level, is at an all-time high because of celebrated players like Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, LSU’s Angel Reese, and more. Understandably, Clemson wants to become a serious player in the sport. Doing so won’t be easy, but every program has had to start somewhere.

Look no further than the Tigers’ in-state rival in Columbia.

South Carolina was hardly a national or even regional power prior to the late 2010’s. Now, the Gamecocks regularly offer one of the best programs in the country. They have won two national championships since 2017 under coach Dawn Staley and are bidding for a third. South Carolina is a perfect 34-0 this season, and their 109-40 win over Clemson back in November was their 13th straight victory over the Tigers.

While short on championships, the ACC has been a premier women’s basketball league for several years. A total of eight league schools — Virginia Tech, NC State, Notre Dame, Syracuse, Louisville, Florida State, Duke, and North Carolina — reached the 2024 NCAA Women’s Tournament. It’s the sixth straight year that eight ACC teams made the tournament.

To that end, Poppie’s familiarity with the ACC from his time in Blacksburg is something Clemson and Neff clearly valued.

What’s also clear is that the Tigers’ five-year drought from the NCAA Tournament was unacceptable to Neff and others within the administration — as well it should be.

In Poppie, Clemson has hired a coach with a proven record of getting teams to the NCAA Tournament. True, Poppie will face an uphill battle to build the Tigers into a program that consistently competes in March, but there’s nothing to suggest that he isn’t a good fit for the school, or that the Tigers were in better hands prior to his arrival.

Case in point: South Carolina 109, Clemson 40.

Clemson women’s basketball hires new head coach, per report

Clemson women’s basketball has their new head coach.

The Clemson women’s basketball team has found their new head coach.

According to reports from our friends over at the Clemson Insider, the program is hiring former Chattanooga head coach Shawn Poppie. Clemson’s head coaching search has come to an end, landing one of the better coaches in the country.

Poppie made significant strides as head coach of the Chattanooga women’s basketball team, guiding them to consecutive Southern Conference Tournament championships and securing NCAA Tournament appearances each season. Under his leadership, the Mocs boasted an impressive 48-18 overall record, including an outstanding 28-5 mark in the 2023-24 season.

Before his tenure at Chattanooga, Poppie contributed to the success of various programs. He served as an assistant coach at Virginia Tech, where he played a key role in six consecutive winning seasons and helped lead the team back to the NCAA Tournament after a 15-year absence. Prior to that, Poppie gained coaching experience at Furman University and USC Upstate, showcasing his dedication to developing winning teams. Starting his coaching journey at Limestone College, Poppie’s stellar playing career and coaching acumen earned him induction into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2017.

Amanda Butler out as Clemson women’s basketball coach

After six seasons, Clemson is parting ways with women’s basketball coach Amanda Butler.

Butler compiled an overall record of 86-102 (32-75 in conference play) in her six seasons as Tigers coach. Clemson was 12-19 this past season, including 5-13 in ACC games. The program finished 12th in league standings.

The Tigers made only one NCAA Tournament appearance with Butler as coach — in her first season back in 2018-19. That year, Clemson went 20-13 overall and fell to Mississippi State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The program has had only one winning season since then — in 2022-23, when the Tigers finished 19-16 overall. Clemson accepted an invitation to the WNIT and reached the Super 16 before falling to Florida, the school Butler had previously coached before she was hired by Clemson.

The Tigers have made just two Women’s NCAA Tournament appearances dating back to the 2001-2002 season.

Peegs.com’s Talia Goodman was the first to report the news of Butler’s departure from the program in a social media post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Clemson falls to Boston College in the ACC Tournament

Clemson’s ACC Tournament is over after falling to Boston College.

FINAL SCORE: Clemson 72, Boston College 85

RECORDS: Clemson (12-19) Boston College (14-18)

CLEMSON LEADERS: Ruby Whitehorn 26 points & 6 rebounds (12-16 FG, 0-1 3FG, 2-2 FT), Day Harris 26 points & 4 assists (7-16 FG, 3-8 3FG, 9-9 FT), Amari Robinson 15 points (6-10 FG, 0-2 3FG, 3-7 FT)

NOTABLES

Whitehorn sets a season record for points scored in a single game with 26 points (12-16 FG, 0-1 3FG, 2-2 FT)

Harris sets a season record for points scored in a single game with 26 points (7-16 FG, 3-8 3FG, 9-9 FT)

Seniors Amari Robinson, Danielle Rauch, Amani Freeman, and Harris finish their collegiate basketball careers.

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Led by Ruby Whitehorn and Day Harris with a combined 52 points, the Clemson Tigers (12-19, 5-14 ACC) fell to the Boston College Eagles, 72-85, in the first round of the ACC Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on Wednesday afternoon. Harris and Whitehorn are the first teammates in ACC Tournament history with at least 25 points each, scoring 26 points a piece.

Five different Tigers recorded points for Clemson, and three hit double-digit points. Behind Whitehorn and Harris, graduate Amari Robinson contributed 15 points as she shot 60% from the field.

Whitehorn opened up scoring with a slick layup in the Tigers’ opening possession. The graduate, Harris, led the Tigers through the first quarter, going 2-2 from beyond the arc and 3-5 FG as she scored eight points. Clemson’s defense forced two turnovers and held Boston College’s offense to 1-4 from beyond the arc in the first quarter alone.

Through the first half, Whitehorn and Harris tallied a combined 27 points, with 16 and 11, respectively. Whitehorn scored 14 points alone in the second quarter, with four layups and three pullup jumpers. The Eagles took an eight-point lead at the end of the first half, 34-42.

In the third, Whitehorn led all-scorers with six points as four different Tigers recorded points. Converting a pair of free throws at the end of the quarter, Whitehorn broke her season record for points scored in a single game.

Clemson opened up scoring in the fourth quarter on a 6-0 run to bring the Tigers within seven of the Eagles. A pull-up and driving jumper from Whitehorn and a pair of free throws by Harris were catalysts for the Tigers’ offense. With five minutes left in the game, the Tigers had outscored the Eagles 11-6, as they brought themselves within two possessions of the lead and limited Boston College to 1-4 FG and 1-0 3FG. The Tigers and Eagles would then exchange baskets for the remainder of the game.

Clemson forward Amari Robinson named All-ACC for second consecutive season

Clemson’s Amari Robinson has been one of the best players in the ACC this season.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Atlantic Coast Conference announced its individual awards and all-conference teams on Tuesday afternoon. Clemson’s superstar, Amari Robinson, was named to the Second Team All-ACC for the second consecutive season.

Robinson’s 17.4 points per game average was the highest she’s ever averaged and ranks seventh best in the ACC. She also ranked in the top 10 in the conference for most rebounds per game with 6.7 – another personal best. In addition to putting up high-scoring numbers, she was incredibly efficient from the floor, ranking third in the ACC in field goal percentage at 53%, and leading the conference in true shooting (.614) and effective field goal percentage (.567). She ranked in the top 10 in the conference in a myriad of other statistical categories, capping off her storied career with her best season ever.

With a career high of 37 points scored against Syracuse and a 35-point outburst against Georgia State, Robinson is the only player in the ACC to have scored 35 or more points on multiple occasions this season. She logged two points-rebounds double-doubles this year, including a career-high 13 rebounds in Clemson’s final regular season game against Florida State.

The Douglasville, Ga. native joins the exclusive Clemson group of Chrissy Floyd (’00, ’01, ’02, ‘03), Itoro Umoh (’97, ’98, ‘99), Lele Hardy (’09, ’10), Amy Geren (’98, ’99) Janet Knight (’84, ’85), and Delicia Washington (’21, ’22) who have been named All-ACC on multiple occasions.

Prior to this season, Robinson had been named to the 2019-’20 ACC All-Freshman team, the ’22-’23 Second Team All-ACC, and the ’23 ACC All-Tournament Second Team.

– Via Clemson Athletic Communications

Clemson picks up devastating OT loss to Florida State

Clemson drops a heartbreaker against FSU in overtime.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Ruby Whitehorn, Amari Robinson, and Danielle Rauch all had career days, and Day Harris dropped a game-high 22 points and the Clemson Tigers battled and were edged in overtime on the road by the Florida State Seminoles 79-82.

Despite a slow start to the game and trailing by as much as nine points early on, the Tigers rallied behind a pair of three pointers from Rauch to go on an 18-6 run to close the first period with a 22-19 advantage.

A strong defensive effort from both teams kept the scoring low in the second frame, but the Seminoles pulled ahead with a buzzer beating shot to give FSU a 33-31 edge as the squads headed back to the locker rooms.

The Tigers put on a show for the ages in the third quarter, recording the highest-scoring third period in program history. Harris, playing in the final regular season game of her career, led the charge for Amanda Butler’s team. She scored 12 points on 50% shooting from the floor and a flawless 6-6 from the charity stripe. Robinson and Whitehorn chipped in five and four points, respectively, and the Tigers closed their 30-point third quarter with a 61-53 advantage.

Heading down the stretch in the fourth quarter, a Nya Valentine three extended the Tiger lead to eight points at 71-63, but the Seminoles closed regulation on an 8-0 run to send the game to overtime.

With six seconds left, FSU connected on a shot to give them a 79-77 lead over the Tigers, but Butler and company called timeout to rally the troops and draw up their answer. Out of the timeout, Harris got the ball and got into the paint where she floated up a shot that found the bottom of the net to give her 1,499 career points and knot the game up at 79.

Following a FSU timeout, the Seminoles missed a shot which resulted in a Clemson rebound. The Tigers called timeout but didn’t have any remaining. FSU went to the line to shoot and make a free throw which proved to be the decisive blow. Florida State escaped with an 81-79 win on its senior day.

UP NEXT: Clemson will head to Greensboro for the ACC tournament which runs from March 6-10. The Tigers will be the 12 seed, and will play No. 13 Boston College at 1:00 p.m. That game can be seen on ACC Network. the winner will go on to play No. 5 Louisville.

FINAL SCORE: Clemson 79, Florida State 82 (OT)

RECORDS: Clemson 12-18 (5-13), Florida State (21-9, 12-6)

CLEMSON LEADERS:

Dayshanette Harris: 22 points

Ruby Whitehorn: 14 rebounds

– Via Clemson Athletic Communications

Clemson takes down Wake Forest behind Robinson’s 24 points

Amari Robinson dropped 24 points as the Tigers defeated the Demon Deacons.

Final Score: Clemson 68 , Wake Forest 64

Records: Clemson 12-17 (5-12), Wake Forest 6-23 (2-15)

Clemson Leaders:

Amari Robinson: 24 points (9-14 FG, 1-3 3FG, 5-8 FT)
Ruby Whitehorn: nine rebounds
Dayshanette Harris: six assists

Notables:

Makayla Elmore recorded career highs in points (17) and three pointers (5)
Nya Valentine recorded a season high free throw percentage (100%)
Tigers improve to 2-0 on the year against Wake Forest

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – On strong performances by Robinson and Elmore, the Clemson Tigers defeated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Elmore has a career day recording a career best 17 points and five three pointers shooting 6-8 on FG and 5-6 on 3FG. Robinson led all Clemson players with 24 points, five rebounds and went 9-14 on FG.

The Tigers had a strong start jumping out to an early 6-0 lead that was later narrowed by the Wake Forest Demon Deacons to a 11-10. Clemson was led by Robinson’s five first quarter points. In the second quarter, the Tigers were able to maintain their lead finishing with a 29-22 lead. The Tigers relied on a 6-0 run in the final minute and a half from two three pointers from Nya Valentine.

During the second quarter, Clemson went 50% on FG attempts and 57.1% on 3FG. At the half, three Tigers, Robinson, Elmore, and Valentine had accounted for all over five points each. Robinson led all scorers with nine points and 4-7 on FG attempts going into the break.

To start the third quarter, Robinson continued her first half success adding six more points to her total for the night, extending the lead for the Tigers to 37-30 with five minutes left in the quarter. Despite Clemson’s success in shooting, the game remained close through the third quarter with the Tigers taking a 48-43 lead into the final frame. Ruby Whitehorn led all players with four rebounds in the third quarter.

In the final quarter, Dayshanette Harris started strong with five points to open the quarter and extended the Tigers lead. Clemson was able to narrowly maintain the lead through the quarter with the score being a close 65-64 with 40 seconds remaining in the game. With 6.8 seconds left, Whitehorn drew an offensive charge to help secure the win for the Tigers by a score of 68-64.

Up Next: The Tigers will conclude the regular season in Tallahassee, Fla. where they will face the Florida State Seminoles on Sunday, March 3. Tipoff for this ACC matchup is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

Social Media: Make sure to follow Clemson women’s basketball on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay up to date on everything happening with the Tigers.

– Via Clemson Athletic Communications

Clemson falls to No. 19 Notre Dame

Clemson had no answers for Notre Dame.

FINAL SCORE: Clemson 47, No. 19 Notre Dame 74

RECORDS: Clemson (11-16, 4-11 ACC), No. 19 Notre Dame (20-6, 1-5 ACC)

CLEMSON LEADERS: Ruby Whitehorn (17 points), Whitehorn (10 rebounds), Dayshanette Harris (7 assists)

NOTABLES:

Ruby Whitehorn snagged a career-high __ rebounds and logged her first career double-double.
This is the seventh-straight game that Whitehorn has led the Tigers in rebounds.
Three Tigers scored in double figures: Whitehorn (17), Amari Robinson (14), Harris (12)

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Ruby Whitehorn notched her first career double-double on Thursday as the Clemson women’s basketball team dropped its game against the No. 19 Notre Dame Fighting Irish by a score of 47 – 74. Whitehorn scored 17 points and grabbed a career high 10 rebounds.

Amari Robinson scored the game’s first points with a shot from outside to give the Tigers the lead. Four points from Dayshanette Harris, and buckets from Whitehorn and Eno Inyang, it was another three pointer from Robinson that capped off an early run to give the Tigers a 14-4 lead. The first period ended with an 18-16 Clemson advantage.

The Irish offense recovered and found its rhythm. Following a first quarter in which the Tiger defense stifled the Notre Dame attack, the Irish took a ten-point lead into the locker rooms and then won the third and fourth quarters to win on its senior night in Purcell Pavilion.

UP NEXT: Clemson returns home to celebrate its senior night at Littlejohn Coliseum. The Tigers will be hosting Miami on Sunday, February 25 at 2:00 p.m.

SOCIAL MEDIA: Make sure to follow Clemson women’s basketball on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay up to date on everything happening with the Tigers.

– Via Clemson Athletic Communications

Clemson drops a close one against Georgia Tech

Clemson was right there with Georgia Tech but failed to walk away with the win.

INAL SCORE: Clemson 63, Georgia Tech 64

RECORDS: Clemson (11-14, 4-9 ACC), Georgia Tech (15-11, 6-8 ACC)

CLEMSON LEADERS: Dayshanette Harris (24 points, 8-17 FG, 7 assists), Amari Robinson, Ruby Whitehorn and Madi Ott (8 rebounds).

NOTABLES:

· With her fourth made free throw, Robinson moved up to second-most made free throws in Clemson history.

· After scoring her 11th point in the third quarter, Robinson now stands in third place for most career points in program history.

· Robinson passed Mary Anne Cubelic for fifth most made field goals in Clemson history and now has 654.

· Harris scored 24, three points away from tying her career high of 27 set in 2020.

· Robinson, Harris and Whitehorn all scored in double figures.

CLEMSON, S.C. – Amari Robinson moved up the Clemson record books on Thursday night, as the Tigers dropped a nail-biter to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 63-64. Robinson surpassed Clemson women’s basketball legend Barbara Kennedy-Dixon in the record books with her 416th free throw – second most in program history – at the 6:30 mark of the second quarter, and is now in third place in school history with 1,805 points, passing Janet Knight.

The Tigers kept it close with the Yellow Jackets in the first half, holding GT to a two point lead to close out the quarter. Clemson shot an impressive 46.2% from the field in the first quarter, Robinson leading the Tigers the half in scoring with 10 points, Harris following closely with nine. Robinson scored 20 on the night, shooting 50% from FG and 8-10 from the line.

Clemson took control of the second half, going on 8-0 run with 5:47 to play in quarter three. A back-to-back three and an and-one bucket by Harris gave the Tigers a boost of momentum with three minutes to play in the quarter leading to a six point advantage going into the last ten minutes of regulation. Despite a tight fourth quarter with a clutch three at the buzzer by Harris, the Tigers fell short to the Yellow Jackets by one.

UP NEXT: Clemson will stay at home this weekend as they face Pittsburgh on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. in Littlejohn Coliseum.

– Via Clemson Athletic Communications

Clemson falls in overtime to Miami in a close one

Clemson dropped a close one in overtime to Miami.

Final Score (Overtime): Clemson 72, Miami 75

Records: Miami 15-7 (5-6), Clemson 11-13 (4-8)

Clemson Leaders:

· Amari Robinson: 24 points (10-19 FG, 1-3 3FG, 3-3 FT)

· Amari Robinson and Ruby Whitehorn: seven rebounds

· Dayshanette Harris: six assists

Notables:

· Madi Ott records her first start since her freshman season (2021-22).

· Mackenzie Kramer did not see game action due to illness.

· Tigers record first overtime game of the season

· Amari Robinson records eighth game with 20+ points and at least five rebounds

· Maddi Cluse will undergo season-ending knee surgery.

CORAL GABLES, FLA. – Despite an impressive performance from Amari Robinson and Dayshanette Harris Thursday evening, the Clemson Tigers fell to the Miami Hurricanes in Coral Gables, Fla., while missing consistent starter Mackenzie Kramer (illness) in addition to Danielle Rauch and Maddi Cluse due to injuries. Robinson’s performance did not disappoint on Thursday evening; The 5th year graduate student contributed 24 points tonight and seven rebounds. This performance marked her eighth game with 20+ points and at least five rebounds, placing her in an elite group of scorers in the conference. Harris also remained solid throughout the evening, contributing 22 points and six rebounds.

After making her first start in two seasons, Madi Ott and the Clemson Tigers had a strong start, giving the Tigers a 18-10 advantage at the end of the first. In the second quarter, the Tigers remained dominant, shooting 46.7% in field goals and 75% from the line. At the half, the Tigers maintained a solid lead over the Hurricanes, 39-22.

The Tigers narrowed the lead in the third, but Robinson, Ott, and Harris continued to remain in control at the net. Going into the final ten minutes of play, the Tigers led the Hurricanes 53-46, and Amani Freeman contributed two key rebounds for the Tiger squad.

In the final ten minutes of regulation, the game remained extremely close, with the lead narrowing to one score in the final three minutes of the game. Harris made two key shots from the line, giving the Tigers a 61-57 edge in the final moments of regulation. In an attempt to respond, the Hurricanes tied the game, leading the game into overtime.

Despite outstanding efforts from Robinson and Harris in overtime, the shorthanded Tigers fell to the Hurricanes in the final seconds of overtime, 72-75.

Up Next: The Tigers will return home to Littlejohn Coliseum where they will face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets next Thursday, February 15th. Tipoff for this ACC matchup is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

– Via Clemson Athletic Communications