This year was going to be a rebuilding year. Period.
We lost a 4-year starter at PG and an All-ACC (Defensive team) Center/Forward. We have 4 true freshman who see significant playing time (1 of whom essentially starts). Then our returning guys aren't exactly world beaters. He doesn't exactly have Roy Williams' roster to work with here.
Brownell was a dynamite hire and this is one of the youngest teams we've had in a decade. Clemson basketball will be fine.