Clemson's journey through the ACC Tournament has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. After a late-season skid dropped them from the top of the standings, the No. 5-seeded Tigers came into the tournament with a point to prove. And prove it they did, with a thrilling 80-79 victory over No. 4 seed North Carolina.
Senior guard Dillon Hunter captured the team's mindset perfectly after their opening win against Wake Forest, stating, “We’re ready to go kill tomorrow.” And Clemson (24-9) backed up his words, holding off a fierce late rally by the Tar Heels (24-8).
UNC made a valiant push, slicing a 15-point deficit to just one in the final seconds. They hit a series of clutch shots, including four three-pointers and a layup by Seth Trimble. But when it mattered most, Clemson's Nick Davidson strategically missed a free throw, and UNC's desperation shot at the buzzer fell short.
This win marked a significant milestone for Clemson, as it's the first time since 2008 they've won more than one game in the ACC tourney. They’ve reached the semifinals for the second consecutive year, even after losing forward Carter Welling to a season-ending ACL injury against Wake Forest.
Coach Brad Brownell acknowledged the emotional toll of Welling's injury, saying, “Our hearts were a little damaged in the second half yesterday. This is the best time of year. Guys work so hard to get that opportunity.”
Despite the setback, Clemson is determined to keep their momentum going. With a March Madness bid likely, they’ve set their sights on the elusive ACC title, a trophy they haven’t claimed since the tournament began in 1953.
“We’re pouring it all out,” Brownell emphasized. “We’re doing everything we can to win every game. That’s what competitors do.”
UNC, missing key player Caleb Wilson, struggled to match Clemson's intensity early on. The Tigers shot 49 percent from the field and were particularly effective from beyond the arc, hitting 9 of 19.
The Tar Heels found their rhythm too late, shooting 47 percent overall. Coach Hubert Davis noted, “The Tigers’ physicality disrupted our rhythm offensively.”
Clemson's backcourt stepped up in Welling’s absence. Dillon Hunter led with 14 points, supported by Ace Buckner, Jestin Porter, and Butta Johnson. RJ Godfrey added 13 points, while Davidson delivered a standout performance with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
Davidson, a senior transfer from Nevada, was especially crucial. He was nearly perfect from the field and made a savvy play at the free throw line to help secure the win. Reflecting on his free throw strategy, Davidson said with a grin, “I’d like to say the first one was on purpose, too, but just missed that one.”
Next up, Clemson faces the challenge of top-seeded Duke (30-2) in the semifinals. The Blue Devils narrowly edged out Florida State in their quarterfinal match, also by an 80-79 score. Duke previously handed Clemson their worst regular-season loss, 67-54, and will be a formidable opponent even with key players Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba II sidelined due to injuries.
The Tigers are ready to continue their quest, fueled by resilience and a hunger for victory.