Clemson basketball’s three-headed monster of Chase Hunter, PJ Hall and Ian Schieffelin powered the Tigers to a dominant March Madness win over New Mexico Friday at FedExForum in Memphis.
Brad Brownell’s team (22-11), making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2021, won 77-56, leaning on its leaders on offense and taking advantage of a very poor offensive showing by the Richard Pitino’s Lobos (26-10). New Mexico, a 2.5-point favorite despite being an 11-seed facing a 6-seed, shot under 35% from the field and was 3-of-22 from the 3-point line.
Jaelen House, the Lobos’ leading scorer, fouled out with more than six minutes left in the game after scoring 12 points. Nelly Junior Joseph recorded a double-double for New Mexico.
But Hunter, Hall and Schieffelin combined for 51 points. Hunter led the way with 21 points, while Schieffelin had 16 and Hall put up 14. Schieffelin also finished with 12 rebounds.
Here’s how the game played out:
Clemson vs New Mexico live score updates in NCAA first round
Jamal Mashburn Jr. having nightmare game
Jamal Mashburn Jr., son of former Kentucky star and former NBA All-Star Jamal Mashburn, came into the NCAA Tournament as New Mexico’s second-leading scorer at 14.4 points per game (on 36.8% from the field). But he has been a non-factor for much of the game against Clemson. Mashburn was sitting on 6 points in 21 minutes on 1-of-10 shooting from the floor. With 9 minutes left in the game, and Clemson up 62-42, Mashburn was 0-for-6 from beyond the arc.
Clemson’s Ian Schieffelin, Chase Hunter start 2nd half fast
The Tigers, up 42-28 at halftime, opened the second half 4-of-7 from the field, ballooning their lead up to 51-30. Ian Schieffelin and Chase Hunter hit two field goals apiece to spark the 9-2 run coming out of halftime.
Clemson closes first half strong
The Tigers led by as many as 19 points, but Jaelen House’s 3-pointer with 1:22 left in the first half cut the New Mexico deficit to 38-28. But Clemson clamped down on defense, hit a shot and a couple of free throws to go into the break up 42-38.
Jaelen House gets New Mexico fired up
New Mexico guard Jaelen House, son of former NBA player Eddie House, gave the Lobos a jolt of energy. With his team down 32-13, the Lobos went on a 6-0 run to cut into the deficit late in the first half. Then, as Clemson’s Chase Hunter brought the ball up the court, House knocked the ball loose. As it bounced toward the sideline, he laid out for the ball. He didn’t get it, but he popped up and began shouting toward his bench “I don’t give a (expletive)!” Clemson’s Joe Girard suggested House should’ve been given a technical foul. Instead, Clemson called timeout to calm things down.
New Mexico goes ice cold
The Lobos were handling themselves plenty well in the early going, trailing 11-9 with 15:16 left in the game. Then, things went left. New Mexico made just two of its next 13 field goal attempts and found itself trailing 30-11 with 9:51 to go before halftime.
Rick Pitino, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark at FedExForum
St. John’s coach Rick Pitino, the legendary former Louisville, New York Knicks and Boston Celtics coach, is on hand for the Clemson-New Mexico game. Pitino’s son, Richard, is the head coach of the Lobos. Also here for the game is Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark.
Clemson, New Mexico: Back and forth we go early
Jamal Mashburn Jr. got the scoring started for New Mexico. Then, Clemson hit back-to-back buckets to take the lead. Then, JT Toppin tied it up. And so it went until Brad Brownell’s Tigers went on a 7-0 run to take an 18-9 lead with 14:05 left in the first half. Clemson’s PJ Hall hit two 3-pointers to help the No. 6 seed take the early advantage.
What channel is Clemson vs. New Mexico on today? How to watch, stream live
- TV channel: truTV
- Stream: NCAA March Madness Live app | Sling TV
Clemson will tip off vs. New Mexico on truTV. Streaming options include the NCAA March Madness Live app and Sling TV. Announcers for the game are Spero Dedes (play-by-play), Jim Spanarkel (analyst), and Jon Rothstein.
Clemson vs. New Mexico start time, TV info, location
- Start time: 3:10 p.m. ET
- TV info: truTV
- Location: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee
Clemson vs New Mexico preview
CLEMSON: The Tigers have lost three out of their past four games and are coming off a one-and-done appearance in the ACC tournament, where Boston College crushed them 76-55 in Washington, D.C.
NEW MEXICO: The Lobos have four players who average double-digit scoring — Donovan Dent, Jaelen House, Jamal Mashburn, JT Toppin.
Clemson vs New Mexico odds, betting line, spread
Odds according to BetMGM
- Spread: (11) New Mexico (-2.5) vs. (6) Clemson (+2.5)
- Over/under: 151.5
- Moneyline: (11) New Mexico (-140) vs. (6) Clemson (+115)
Clemson vs New Mexico prediction, game picks
New Mexico 78, Clemson 76: The Tigers have already lost once this season at FedExForum. It’ll happen again Friday.
Clemson vs New Mexico injury updates
CLEMSON: Alex Hemenway (lower leg) and Bas Leyte (shoulder) went down with season-ending injuries earlier this season.
NEW MEXICO: No significant injuries of note
Clemson vs New Mexico stats
CLEMSON
- PPG: 77.4
- PPG allowed: 71.3
- FG% 46.8%
- 3PT%: 35.4%
- KenPom ranking: No. 35
NEW MEXICO
- PPG: 81.7
- PPG allowed: 70.5
- FG% 46.0%
- 3PT%: 35.4%
- KenPom ranking: No. 22
Clemson vs New Mexico championship odds
Odds according to BetMGM:
CLEMSON: +10000
NEW MEXICO: +7000
Clemson basketball schedule 2023-24
The past five games of Clemson’s 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here
| Feb. 27 | Pitt, W, 69-62 |
| March 2 | Notre Dame, L, 69-62 |
| March 5 | Syracuse, W, 90-75 |
| March 9 | Wake Forest, L, 81-76 |
| March 13 | Boston College, L, 76-55 |
| March 22 | Clemson vs. New Mexico (NCAA Tournament) |
New Mexico basketball schedule 2023-24
The past five games of New Mexico’s 2023-24 basketball season. For the full schedule, click here
| March 9 | Utah State, L, 87-85 |
| March 13 | Air Force, W, 82-56 |
| March 14 | Boise State, W, 76-66 |
| March 15 | Colorado State, W, 74-61 |
| March 16 | San Diego State, W, 68-61 |
| March 22 | Team XXX vs. Team XXX (NCAA Tournament |
