Clemson Women Will Start 2026-2027 Season on November 2
Coach Shawn Poppie looks to build on a 21-win 2025 campaign as the Tigers prepare for their season opener.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Basketball
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Clemson women's basketball will open the 2026-2027 season on November 2 against Radford. The team enters the year following a 21-win 2025 campaign that ended in the NCAA Tournament.
Why it matters
The Tigers are retooling their roster through the transfer portal and new recruitment to address depth gaps after a first-round NCAA tournament exit. Adjustments to the non-conference schedule reflect a strategic focus on home games to manage player fatigue.
Clemson returns to the court with a 13-player roster for the new campaign. The program averaged 1,525 fans per game during the 2025 season inside the 9,000-capacity Littlejohn Coliseum.
The players
Shawn Poppie
He is the head coach of the Clemson women's basketball program tasked with leading the team's ongoing roster transition.
Mia Moore
She is a former player currently participating in team practices while pursuing legal action against the NCAA to regain eligibility.
Taylor Johnson-Matthews
She is a student-athlete involved in active litigation against the NCAA seeking additional playing eligibility while training with the team.
Morgan Miller
She is a junior forward for Clemson who will miss the 2026-2027 season due to an ACL injury.
Samaya Wilkins
She is a recent recruit who committed to play for Clemson on September 25.
The details
The coaching staff integrated five transfers and three freshmen to balance the roster for the upcoming schedule. Junior forward Morgan Miller will be unavailable for the full season after sustaining a torn ACL injury.
Timeline
September 25, 2026: Samaya Wilkins committed to Clemson.
October 4, 2026: Cece Dennis named Clemson in her top-three list.
October 5, 2026: Shawn Poppie appeared at the ACC Tipoff in Charlotte.
November 2, 2026: The Tigers play their season opener against Radford.
November 12, 2026: Clemson faces South Carolina.
Season Trajectory
The team aims to build deeper tournament momentum following their first-round exit in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Successful integration of new transfers will be critical to improving their standing within the highly competitive Atlantic Coast Conference.
Rusne Augustinaite is currently projected to be available for the season opener, providing a key rotation piece for the opening games. The roster remains at 13 players as staff wait for potential litigation outcomes to fill the final two spots.
The takeaway
The team's reliance on the transfer portal highlights the modern shift in collegiate roster management to bridge gaps quickly. Consistent home-court attendance remains a pillar of the program's success as they adjust their schedule to prioritize efficiency.
What happens next
Eligibility decisions regarding the ongoing lawsuits involving Mia Moore and Taylor Johnson-Matthews are expected to be finalized within the coming weeks.
Further reading
For more information on the upcoming schedule, visit the Basketball section.
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