Shanna Rose | WV Sports Chat
CHARLESTON, S.C. — West Virginia hits the road for the first time this season on Friday as the Mountaineers head to Charleston, South Carolina, to open the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic against Clemson at TD Arena.
The matchup is part of the event’s Palmetto Bracket, which also features Georgia and Xavier. The winner earns a spot in Sunday afternoon’s game.
For head coach Ross Hodge, this week marks a shift from the comfort of home to the challenge of neutral-floor play.
“Our guys are excited for that challenge,” Hodge said. “The next step is proving we can pack up what we do every day in practice and carry it onto a neutral court against an NCAA Tournament-level program.”
The Tigers arrive at 4–1 under longtime coach Brad Brownell, with wins against New Hampshire, Gardner-Webb, Morehead State and North Alabama, and a narrow 79–74 loss at Georgetown last weekend.
Clemson’s depth showed in Monday’s victory over North Alabama, as Georgia transfer RJ Godfrey posted 16 points off the bench and freshman guard Zac Foster added 14.
Brownell’s current starting frontcourt combines two transfers—Utah’s Jake Wahlin and Nevada’s Nick Davidson—with Utah Valley center Carter Welling. Senior Dillon Hunter and redshirt freshman Ace Buckner handle the backcourt duties. Buckner, the son of former Tigers star Greg Buckner, returned this year after missing last season with a shoulder injury.
Welling, a 6-foot-10 junior, leads Clemson at 11.4 points per game. Buckner contributes 11.0 per contest, while Godfrey adds 10.8 points and a team-best 6.6 rebounds. Davidson (9.8) and Wahlin (9.4) are scoring just under double figures.
The Tigers have been one of the ACC’s steadier programs in recent seasons, compiling a 74–30 record over the last three years—including an Elite Eight run two seasons ago. Clemson was projected seventh in this year’s ACC preseason poll.
The Mountaineers remained unbeaten with an 81–59 win over Lafayette on Monday. Freshman forward DJ Thomas delivered a season-best 25 points, becoming the fifth player to lead the team in scoring this year. Senior guard Honor Huff buried eight 3-pointers on his way to 24 points, finishing one shy of the program record.
Huff leads WVU at 17.2 points per game, followed by senior forward Brenen Lorient (12.8 points, 7.4 rebounds), Thomas (11.0), and senior center Harlan Obioha (10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds).
The Mountaineers will also get a roster boost Friday with the debut of 6-foot-6 St. Bonaventure transfer Chance Moore, who becomes eligible after serving a five-game NCAA sit-out period. WVU continues to evaluate senior forward Jackson Fields (wrist), who remains day-to-day.
The Mountaineers defeated the Tigers 66–59 in their last meeting at TD Arena in November 2021 and holds a 5–1 advantage in the all-time series.
“It’s another checkpoint for this team,” Hodge said. “It’s a strong field, and we’ll have to play well. But we’re looking forward to the opportunity.”
Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
Photo Credit: WVU Athletics
