The Clemson Insider

CLEMSON – There is one recreation on the ACC schedule yearly that head coach Brad Brownell doesn’t look ahead to — the Boston College recreation.

Despite Brownell’s dislike for teaching in opposition to his former assistants Earl Grant and Steve Smith, each of which at the moment are at Boston College, No. 22 Clemson got here out with a 74-50 win over the Eagles at Littlejohn Coliseum Tuesday night time.

“Obviously I just don’t like playing (Grant) and Steve over there,  those guys are a part of what made our program what it is,” Brownell stated. “I love them and their families,” he added. “They’re unbelievable people and mentors and  they’re doing a good job in a tough situation. When you got to play against those guys, I don’t enjoy it at all. I don’t even enjoy preparing for it.”

Grant spent 4 seasons at Clemson (15-3, 5-0 ACC) from 2010-14 after ending a taking part in profession at Georgia College and assistant teaching stints at Winthrop and Wichita State. During his time within the Upstate, the North Charleston, S.C., native personally signed 10 of the Tigers’ 15 recruits.

He labored to develop greats like Ok.J McDaniels, Rod Hall, and Andre Young earlier than being named the top coach on the College of Charleston in 2014. He was named head coach at Boston College (7-10, 0-4 ACC) in March of 2021 after serving to the Cougars to a number of dominant seasons.

Smith, now in his second yr at Boston College, served on Brownell’s workers for seven years earlier than serving to the Florida State Seminoles to a Sweet Sixteen look in 2021 and an ACC Championship in 2020. 

“They were part of the foundation in some of the early years, and the hard struggles, and the going to Greenville, just recruiting in a time when it was hard,” Brownell stated. “Facilities weren’t up to par and some other things were going on illegally around us that made it difficult and it  was tough. Those guys’ blood, sweat and tears kept us fighting.”

The emotions of familiarity, camaraderie turned to competitors, isn’t restricted to Brownell. With the Clemson win final night time, the Tigers at the moment are 4-3 in opposition to the Eagles in Grant’s tenure in Chestnut Hill. The largest loss on the hand of Grant and his workers got here with a 76-55 loss within the ACC Tournament in 2024.

The largest win for the Tigers got here Tuesday night time.

“It’s still weird,” Grant stated postgame. “I spent a variety of time right here. Got a variety of relationships throughout right here, and administration, in addition to the coaches, however we’ve been battling. We’ve had some battles and we bought a superb relationship, however we are able to’t speak basketball anymore. 

“We got to battle each other and compete against each other. So, we’ve had some really good tough battles and they got the best of us today.”

Since Smith and Grant coached at Clemson, the NIL panorama, recruiting ways, and even ACC opponents have modified drastically. Still, the connection over constructing a program collectively has by no means light, and the Tigers are nonetheless reaping the advantages of Brownell’s early years over a decade later.

One of the enhancements throughout Brownell’s profession, a renovated Littlejohn Coliseum, will host its second recreation this week on Saturday, when the Tigers tackle the Miami Hurricanes (15-2, 4-0 ACC) at 2:15 p.m.

A win would put the Tigers 6-0 in ACC play for the primary time since 2023.