Just a month ago, Clemson was riding high. The Tigers were dominating the ACC with 24 wins in their last 26 games and were on the brink of tying a 14-game conference road winning streak-a feat that would have placed them among the best in league history.
Fast forward to now, and the narrative has shifted. As the NCAA tournament looms, Clemson finds itself in a slump after falling 85-77 to Wake Forest on February 18.
This marks their third consecutive loss, with previous defeats at the hands of Virginia Tech at home and Duke on the road. It's the first time the Tigers have faced a three-game losing streak since January 2024, when they stumbled against Miami, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech.
Meanwhile, Wake Forest is proving to be a tough opponent at the moment. The Demon Deacons, with a 14-12 record (5-8 ACC), have strung together three straight wins, reigniting their hopes for a spot in the ACC tournament. Juke Harris was instrumental for Wake Forest, leading the charge with 20 points and seven rebounds, as the Demon Deacons controlled the game for all but 47 seconds.
Key Stats
Wake Forest started the game on fire, sinking 18 of their first 24 shots. Clemson, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm, enduring field-goal droughts of nearly eight and just over four minutes in the first half. This left them trailing 45-32 at halftime.
However, Clemson showed resilience, cutting a 20-point deficit to just five with a 16-1 run spanning the late first and early second halves. The Tigers shot an impressive 51.6% in the second half, but Wake Forest's defense stepped up, forcing key turnovers and notching eight steals compared to Clemson's four.
Next Game
Clemson is in dire need of a turnaround as they prepare to host Florida State at Littlejohn Coliseum on February 21. The Seminoles, sitting at 13-13 (6-7 ACC), might seem like a manageable opponent, but they're coming off a dominant 92-69 victory over Virginia Tech, who recently bested Clemson.
Adding intrigue to the matchup is the return of Chauncey Wiggins, a former Tiger now averaging 12.6 points per game for Florida State as a senior. This game could be pivotal for Clemson as they aim to regain their footing in the ACC standings.