My First Thoughts on Clearwater
Today the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational schedule was released, and I simply can’t wait. This event is always stacked with top tier teams, and 2026 is no different. There is a good mix of teams you expect to see in OKC in June and teams that are looking to take next steps by making it to the postseason or lasting longer once they do.
With so many great contests lined up, there is no way I can choose my best matchups because each has its own story and strengths. What I am most looking forward to is seeing who really starts the season out strong.
Teams like Oklahoma State, Missouri, and Georgia feel that last season got away from them and have made adjustments over the summer and fall to try to give themselves a real shot in 2026. All teams have a mixture of new faces and returners that shows promise.
Three teams that I am really looking forward to seeing not only in Clearwater but all season are Tennessee, Nebraska, and Florida State. All three are teams I have full confidence in for 2026. Clearwater will present true postseason like games for each of them. Tennessee and Nebraska will have a super regional rematch. Florida State will get a super regional rematch with Texas Tech and face Tennessee for the finale on Sunday night. Get your popcorn ready.
Speaking of opportunity and something to prove, Texas A&M was the overall number one seed in May that was upset by Liberty. With Amari Harper now in Oregon and after adding some transfers, the Aggies of course aren’t the same team as last year, but they are still an intriguing team to watch in the loaded SEC.
Then you have a team like NC State. The Wolfpack has not made the postseason in years, but Coach Lindsay Leftwich has brought the standard and laid a good foundation. The team has totally bought in and feels that 2026 could be the year they make it to the ACC Tournament for the first time since 2022. They will face Georgia, Missouri, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and UCF in Clearwater. Plenty of opportunity to measure where they are early in the season.
As with every year, there are plenty of other storylines in this event that will surface once the games start, but these are the ones that jumped out to me right away. Clearwater always delivers, and with this field, I expect the same in 2026. I will break down more once we get closer, but for now, the excitement is real and February cannot get here soon enough.
Below is the full schedule of the Clearwater Invitational. Graphics are credited to
Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational
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