Clemson Tigers men's basketball, 1980–1989 explained

The Clemson Tigers men's basketball teams of 1980–1989 represented Clemson University in NCAA college basketball competition.

1979–80

Year:1979–80
Team:Clemson Tigers
Sport:basketball
Conference:Atlantic Coast Conference
Short Conf:ACC
Record:23–9
Conf Record:8–6
Champion:IPTAY Tournament champions
Tourney Result:Elite Eight
Date Opponent Rank# Site Result
November 30* Littlejohn ColiseumClemson, SC
(IPTAY Tournament Semifinal)
W 90–72
December 1* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC
(IPTAY Tournament Final)
W 94–61
December 5* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 93–73
December 8* Baptist Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 93–59
December 15* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 98–73
December 17* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 113–74
December 27* Memorial Coliseum • Portland, OR
(Far West Classic Quarterfinal)
W 79–68
December 28* vs. Memorial Coliseum • Portland, OR
(Far West Classic Semifinal)
W 85–65
December 29* Memorial Coliseum • Portland, OR
(Far West Classic Final)
L 67–72
January 2 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 93–76
January 5 at W 56–48
January 9
  1. 18
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 87–82 (OT)
January 12 at
  1. 18
L 83–86
January 16
  1. 17
L 83–84
January 19
  1. 17
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 88–68
January 23*
  1. 12
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 85–67
January 26
  1. 12
L 70–73
January 29
  1. 16
L 67–80
January 31
  1. 16
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 76–52
February 2* at
  1. 16
W 61–60
February 6
  1. 16
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 86–69
February 9
  1. 16
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 90–81
February 13
  1. 10
L 87–89
February 16
  1. 10
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 78–70
February 20
  1. 12
L 82–87 (OT)
February 22*
  1. 12
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 38–27
February 28*
  1. 17
Greensboro Coliseum • Greensboro, NC
(ACC Tournament Quarterfinal)
W 57–49
February 29*
  1. 17
Greensboro Coliseum • Greensboro, NC
(ACC Tournament Semifinal)
L 85–91
March 6* Dee Events CenterOgden, UT
(NCAA First Round)
W 76–73
March 8* Dee Events Center • Ogden, UT
(NCAA Second Round)
W 71–66
March 12* vs. McKale CenterTucson, AZ
(NCAA Sweet Sixteen)
W 74–66
March 15* McKale Center • Tucson, AZ
(NCAA Elite Eight)
L 74–85
  • Non-Conference Game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1980–81

Year:1980–81
Team:Clemson Tigers
Sport:basketball
Conference:Atlantic Coast Conference
Short Conf:ACC
Record:20–11
Conf Record:6–8
Champion:IPTAY Tournament champions
Rainbow Classic champions
Tourney Result:First Round
Date Opponent Rank# Site Result
November 28* Littlejohn ColiseumClemson, SC
(IPTAY Tournament Semifinal)
W 82–64
November 29* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC
(IPTAY Tournament Final)
W 99–71
December 3* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 102–59
December 6* at W 82–69
December 13* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 108–41
December 16* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 124–70
December 19* MECCA Arena • Milwaukee, WI
(Milwaukee Classic Semifinal)
W 67–56
December 20* MECCA Arena • Milwaukee, WI
(Milwaukee Classic Final)
L 67–68
December 28* vs. Neal S. Blaisdell CenterHonolulu, HI
(Rainbow Classic Quarterfinal)
W 50–49 (OT)
December 29* Neal S. Blaisdell Center • Honolulu, HI
(Rainbow Classic Semifinal)
W 58–57
December 30* vs. Neal S. Blaisdell Center • Honolulu, HI
(Rainbow Classic Final)
W 75–71
January 3 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 76–68
January 7 at
  1. 20
W 65–54
January 10
  1. 20
L 71–73
January 14*
  1. 19
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 82–58
January 17
  1. 19
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 62–68 (OT)
January 19
  1. 19
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 59–74
January 21
  1. 19
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 72–48
January 24
  1. 19
L 57–75
January 28 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 47–61
January 31* W 69–67
February 4 W 82–76
February 8* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 115–91
February 12 L 70–72
February 14 L 58–73
February 18 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 81–71
February 21 L 61–75
February 25 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 54–52
February 28* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 91–69
March 5* Capital CentreLandover, MD
(ACC Tournament Quarterfinal)
L 71–80
March 12* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC
(NIT First Round)
L 82–90
  • Non-Conference Game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1981–82

Year:1981–82
Team:Clemson Tigers
Sport:basketball
Conference:Atlantic Coast Conference
Short Conf:ACC
Record:14–14
Conf Record:4–10
Champion:IPTAY Tournament champions
Tourney Result:First Round
Date Opponent Rank# -->Site Result
November 27* Littlejohn ColiseumClemson, SC
(IPTAY Tournament Semifinal)
W 109–91
November 28* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC
(IPTAY Tournament Final)
W 79–72
December 2* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 102–53
December 5* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 61–60
December 12* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 67–65
December 14* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 96–56
December 18* Hofheinz Pavilion • Houston, TX
(Kettle Classic Semifinal)
L 68–80
December 19* vs. Hofheinz Pavilion • Houston, TX
(Milwaukee Classic Consolation)
W 59–32
January 2 L 59–75
January 6 W 62–57
January 9 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 54–68
January 16 at L 57–62
January 17 L 68–89
January 20 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 55–49
January 23 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 44–50
January 27 L 72–77
January 30* W 88–56
February 3 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 65–54
February 6* at L 86–94
February 10 L 79–94
February 13 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 54–56
February 15* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 79–62
February 17 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 75–66
February 20 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 49–55
February 24 L 72–73 (3OT)
February 27* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 91–70
March 5* Greensboro ColiseumGreensboro, NC
(ACC Tournament Quarterfinal)
L 54–56
March 12* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC
(NIT First Round)
L 49–53
  • Non-Conference Game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1982–83

Year:1982–83
Team:Clemson Tigers
Sport:basketball
Conference:Atlantic Coast Conference
Short Conf:ACC
Record:11–20
Conf Record:2–12
Date Opponent Rank# -->Site Result
November 26* vs. Buckner FieldhouseAnchorage, AK
(Great Alaska Shootout Quarterfinal)
W 82–79 (2OT)
November 27* vs. Buckner Fieldhouse • Anchorage, AK
(Great Alaska Shootout Semifinal)
L 63–72
November 28* Buckner Fieldhouse • Anchorage, AK
(Great Alaska Shootout 3rd Place game)
L 66–76
December 3* Littlejohn ColiseumClemson, SC
(IPTAY Tournament Semifinal)
W 85–73
December 4* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC
(IPTAY Tournament Final)
L 58–60
December 6* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 63–56
December 11* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 95–69
December 15* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 76–59
December 18* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 72–75
December 28* vs. Special Events CenterEl Paso, TX
(Sun Bowl Carnival Semifinal)
L 54–60
December 29* vs. Special Events Center • El Paso, TX
(Sun Bowl Carnival Consolation)
L 59–69
January 4* W 51–50
January 7 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 70–76
January 11 L 66–71
January 15 L 76–89
January 19 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 61–80
January 22 L 87–105
January 24 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 58–56
January 27* at L 77–94
January 29 L 96–99
February 2 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 81–84
February 5* Baptist Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 81–60
February 9 L 83–90
February 12* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 86–81
February 16 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 82–86
February 19 L 88–92
February 23 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 83–85 (OT)
February 27 L 80–93
March 2 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 93–86
March 5* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 92–88
March 11* Omni Coliseum • Atlanta, GA
(ACC Tournament Quarterfinal)
L 79–105
  • Non-Conference Game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1983–84

Year:1983–84
Team:Clemson Tigers
Sport:basketball
Conference:Atlantic Coast Conference
Short Conf:ACC
Record:14–14
Conf Record:3–11
Champion:IPTAY Tournament champions
Date Opponent Rank# -->Site Result
November 26* W 105–55
November 29* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC
(IPTAY Tournament Semifinal)
W 66–61 (OT)
November 30* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC
(IPTAY Tournament Final)
W 71–67
December 3* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 72–71
December 10* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 92–70
December 17* at W 70–62
December 19* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 102–52
December 28* at L 55–69
December 30* Las Vegas, NV L 61–63
January 4* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 97–63
January 9 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 63–61
January 11 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 79–69
January 14* Baptist Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 71–59
January 17 L 72–85
January 21 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 73–74
January 26 L 52–59
January 28 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 65–67
February 1 L 75–97
February 4 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 72–76 (OT)
February 8 L 59–69
February 11* at W 61–59
February 15 Greensboro Coliseum • Greensboro, NC L 57–68
February 18 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 65–66 (3OT)
February 21 L 70–77
February 26 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 71–82
February 29 W 77–76
March 3* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 62–52
March 9* Greensboro Coliseum • Greensboro, NC
(ACC Tournament Quarterfinal)
L 66–78
  • Non-Conference Game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1984–85

Year:1984–85
Team:Clemson Tigers
Sport:basketball
Conference:Atlantic Coast Conference
Short Conf:ACC
Record:16–13
Conf Record:5–9
Champion:IPTAY Tournament champions
Music City Tournament champions
Tourney Result:First Round
Date Opponent Rank# -->Site Result
November 26* L 67–68 (OT)
November 30* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC
(IPTAY Tournament Semifinal)
W 90–55
December 1* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC
(IPTAY Tournament Final)
W 79–69
December 5* at L 66–71
December 8* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 89–62
December 15* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 81–75
December 19* W 55–53 (OT)
December 28* vs. Memorial GymnasiumNashville, TN
(Music City Tournament)
W 86–72
December 29* vs. Memorial Gymnasium • Nashville, TN
(Music City Tournament)
W 81–74
January 2* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 84–77
January 8 W 90–81
January 10 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 68–71
January 12 at L 61–83
January 16 L 84–94
January 19 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 82–62
January 23 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 59–64
January 26 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 83–100
January 30 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 52–50
February 2* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 96–65
February 6 L 57–69
February 9* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 98–81
February 13 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 80–65
February 17 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 71–64
February 20 at L 66–69
February 23 L 50–84
February 27 L 73–90
March 2* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 100–55
March 8* Omni Coliseum • Atlanta, GA
(ACC Tournament Quarterfinal)
L 63–70
March 15* at McKenzie ArenaChattanooga, TN
(NIT First Round)
L 65–67
  • Non-Conference Game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1985–86

Year:1985–86
Team:Clemson Tigers
Sport:basketball
Conference:Atlantic Coast Conference
Short Conf:ACC
Record:19–15
Conf Record:3–11
Champion:IPTAY Tournament champions
Tourney Result:Third Round
Date Opponent Rank# -->Site Result
November 25* W 83–57
November 29* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC
(IPTAY Tournament Semifinal)
W 92–67
November 30* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC
(IPTAY Tournament Final)
W 70–60
December 2* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 101–63
December 4* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 79–36
December 7* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 73–66 (OT)
December 14* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 87–60
December 16* Baptist Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 89–63
December 18* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 100–60
December 21* W 65–64
December 28* Neal S. Blaisdell CenterHonolulu, HI
(Rainbow Classic Quarterfinal)
W 81–76
December 29* Neal S. Blaisdell Center • Honolulu, HI
(Rainbow Classic Semifinal)
L 64–69
December 30* vs. Neal S. Blaisdell Center • Honolulu, HI
(Rainbow Classic 3rd place game)
W 69–62
January 6 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 91–64
January 11 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 81–83
January 13 L 57–60
January 15 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 71–83
January 23* at L 64–65
January 25 at W 46–43
January 29 L 78–89
February 1 L 67–85
February 5 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 69–73 (OT)
February 8 L 69–78
February 12 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 64–79
February 13* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 96–52
February 15 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 70–60
February 17* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 75–57
February 22 L 69–82
February 26 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 69–77
March 2 L 63–74
March 7* Greensboro ColiseumGreensboro, NC
(ACC Tournament Quarterfinal)
L 61–79
March 13* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC
(NIT First Round)
W 99–81
March 17* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC
(NIT Second Round)
W 77–65
March 20* Arena-AuditoriumLaramie, WY
(NIT Third Round)
L 57–62
  • Non-Conference Game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1986–87

Year:1986–87
Team:Clemson Tigers
Sport:basketball
Conference:Atlantic Coast Conference
Short Conf:ACC
Coachrank:15
Aprank:13
Record:25–6
Conf Record:10–4
Champion:IPTAY Tournament champions
TCBY Arkansas–Little Rock Classic champions
Hawaii Pacific Tournament champions
Tourney Result:First Round
Date Opponent Rank# Site Result
November 28* Littlejohn ColiseumClemson, SC
(IPTAY Tournament Semifinal)
W 108–91
November 29* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC
(IPTAY Tournament Final)
W 92–77
December 3* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 89–58
December 6* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 86–72
December 14* at W 71–65
December 16* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 103–45
December 17* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 112–39
December 29* vs. Barton ColiseumLittle Rock, AR
(TCBY Arkansas–Little Rock Classic Semifinal)
W 95–42
December 30* vs. Barton Coliseum • Little Rock, AR
(TCBY Arkansas–Little Rock Classic Final)
W 76–44
January 2* vs. Honolulu, HI
(Hawaii Pacific Tournament Semifinal)
W 90–86
January 3* vs. Honolulu, HI
(Hawaii Pacific Tournament Final)
W 93–74
January 7
  1. 20
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 73–69
January 10 at
  1. 20
W 91–88 (OT)
January 12*
  1. 12
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 108–55
January 14*
  1. 12
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 94–77
January 17
  1. 12
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 72–64
January 20
  1. 10
W 67–66
January 24
  1. 10
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 103–105 (OT)
January 26*
  1. 14
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 96–69
January 28
  1. 14
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 99–108
January 31
  1. 14
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 89–83
February 4 at
  1. 12
W 80–79
February 7*
  1. 12
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 74–52
February 11
  1. 12
W 78–75
February 14
  1. 12
W 94–90 (OT)
February 18
  1. 10
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 87–71
February 21
  1. 10
L 80–96
February 25
  1. 13
Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 88–77
February 28
  1. 13
L 59–65
March 6* vs.
  1. 13
Capital CentreLandover, MD
(ACC Tournament Quarterfinal)
L 62–69
March 13* vs.
  1. 13
Omni Coliseum • Atlanta, GA
(NCAA First Round)
L 60–65
  • Non-Conference Game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1987–88

Year:1987–88
Team:Clemson Tigers
Sport:basketball
Conference:Atlantic Coast Conference
Short Conf:ACC
Record:14–15
Conf Record:4–10
Tourney Result:First Round
Date Opponent Rank# --> Site Result
November 27* W 69–54
November 30* Baptist W 81–60
December 2* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 71–61
December 5* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 103–68
December 12* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 76–57
December 15* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 85–88
December 16* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 91–45
December 28* USF Sun DomeTampa, FL
(South Florida Invitational Semifinal)
L 88–93
December 29* vs. USF Sun Dome • Tampa, FL
(South Florida Invitational Consolation)
W 98–47
January 6 L 61–70
January 9 L 53–68
January 10 L 75–77
January 13* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 83–48
January 16 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 75–62
January 20* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 76–65
January 23* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 69–65
January 26 L 76–85
February 1 L 63–101
February 4 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 64–88
February 6* at L 63–75
February 10 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 66–70
February 18 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 63–88
February 21 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 65–62
February 24 at L 73–79
February 28 L 52–88
March 2 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 79–77
March 5 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 97–94 (2OT)
March 11* Greensboro Coliseum • Greensboro, NC
(ACC Tournament Quarterfinal)
L 72–79
March 18* at Reed Green ColiseumHattiesburg, MS
(NIT First Round)
L 69–74
  • Non-Conference Game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

1988–89

Year:1988–89
Team:Clemson Tigers
Sport:basketball
Conference:Atlantic Coast Conference
Short Conf:ACC
Record:19–11
Conf Record:7–7
Tourney Result:Second Round
Date Opponent Rank# --> Site Result
November 28* W 96–82
December 1* W 79–64
December 3* L 70–90
December 10* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 79–36
December 13* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 93–70
December 17* at W 77–63
December 27* Memorial Coliseum • Portland, OR
(Far West Classic Quarterfinal)
W 81–77
December 29* vs. Memorial Coliseum • Portland, OR
(Far West Classic Semifinal)
W 74–61
December 30* Memorial Coliseum • Portland, OR
(Far West Classic Final)
L 58–72
January 5 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC L 65–73
January 7 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 75–58
January 11 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 88–70
January 14 at W 75–71
January 18* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 104–74
January 21* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 77–60
January 25 L 74–75
January 29 L 62–92
February 1 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 85–82
February 4* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 78–65
February 7 at L 87–98
February 11* Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 96–71
February 15 L 75–90
February 18 L 83–85
February 22 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 94–83
February 25 L 86–100
March 1 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 79–74
March 4 Littlejohn Coliseum • Clemson, SC W 81–79 (OT)
March 10* Omni Coliseum • Atlanta, GA
(ACC Tournament Quarterfinal)
L 73–90
March 16* BSU PavilionBoise, ID
(NCAA First Round)
W 83–70
March 18* BSU Pavilion • Boise, ID
(NCAA Second Round)
L 68–94
  • Non-Conference Game. #Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game.

References