Clemson's next National Championship?

Jan 16, 2025, 12:28 PM

Went through a little exercise to place odds on which Clemson team will bring home the next National Championship (men's team sports only). Have to consider current state of program from a national perspective and the reality of winning it all. Keep in mind national championships don't grow on trees; Clemson only has 8 (4 soccer, 3 football, 1 golf). It is incredibly difficult to get to the top of the mountain.

Soccer -150 - Clemson's best sport. Only program that is definitely a top-5 contender for a national championship year-in and year-out at the moment. Mike Noonan has a solid argument to be on Clemson's coaching Mt. Rushmore.

Baseball +300 - I'm drinking all of the Coach Bakich kool-aid. I truly believe he will get the job done in the next 3-5 years and bring us the elusive baseball national title. Team has taken all the right steps in the first two years under Bakich, and hopefully we make our long-awaited return to Omaha in 2025.

Football +500 - 2025 is a big year for the program. 2024 was a step forward, but we are looking at a bit of a rebuild in 2026. 2025 team has lots of the right pieces for us to make a run. I will follow Dabo into the abyss.

Golf +1000 - Should be better than this. Program currently in a lull. Advantage for golf though is team size...5 man lineup means it only takes a couple future PGA tour-caliber studs to turn it around.

Basketball +1200 - I respect what Brad Brownell has built, even if it took longer than we would have hoped. Elite 8 run last season was great. But I still think we are pretty far off from competing with the big boys & blue bloods for a title.

Tennis +1800 - Currently in the early phase of a rebuild. Lots of ground to make up to compete with the best nationally. But it isn't impossible.

Track +5000 - Probably the one I'm least familiar with. But we are not sending a strong contingent to nationals recently and don't think our facility stacks up with others.

Cross Country +10000 - Clemson's worst sport? Its either this or women's volleyball. However, we could import about a dozen Kenyans and change these odds overnight.

What say you all? Baseball over football is probably my hottest take. What did I get wrong?

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military_tech

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I like your list. Thanks.

Unfortunately we don't get a lot of info on soccer as it pertains to recruiting, transfers. But I agree with your assessment.

I would move football ahead of it for this year. I really think we have the pieces, and now we have the coaching to match. I can see us having an almost unstoppable offense. Our oline sharpen with the dline. I'd feel even better odds if we had another safety with nfl talent.

I've always said golf and tennis are the hardest nattys to win. Even with pro talent, everything has to fall into place. Not really a way to outscheme your opponent or be more physical etc.

I'm right there with you on coach B in baseball. If the scholarships change, we'll be able to compete for the best talent.

Imo, basketball should have higher odds. Brad is finally turning heads in recruiting. If we can keep our assistants, we'll be a regular in the tournament. Recruits that only 5 year's ago wouldn't have given Clemson even a look, are now peaking and poking around us. So, I think consistent top 16s are in our near future, and one of those teams will break through.

Good post.

tiger901

Clemson's next National Championship?

Hope its not basketball ... the world will end the next day.***

how would the world end?

Lacross***

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