Charlotte, NC
Clemson’s long-standing ACC Tournament woes have finally come to an end. The Tigers pulled off a thrilling 80-79 upset against UNC in the quarterfinals on Thursday at Spectrum Center, extending their stay in Charlotte and boosting their NCAA Tournament résumé with a crucial Quadrant 1 victory.
This win is particularly significant as it's the first time since 2008 that Clemson has claimed two victories in a single ACC Tournament, a feat that has eluded them throughout Brad Brownell’s coaching tenure.
The No. 5 seed Tigers now advance to face No. 1 seed Duke in the ACC semifinals. Duke, the regular-season league champion, previously dominated Clemson in Durham, but they appear vulnerable after a narrow 80-79 win against No.
8 Florida State. The semifinal clash is set for 9:30 p.m. on ESPN, following the game between No.
2 Virginia and No. 3 Miami.
Despite being favored by 1.5 points, Clemson’s win over North Carolina was very much an upset, considering their 1-15 all-time record against the Tar Heels in ACC Tournament games. UNC made a late push, outscoring Clemson 18-5 to close within two points with 12.7 seconds left. Dillon Hunter’s clutch free throws and a missed UNC half-court shot sealed the victory for Clemson.
Game Recap
The Tigers and Tar Heels faced off just over a week ago in Chapel Hill, where UNC edged out a 67-63 victory. However, Thursday’s matchup saw a more dynamic first half, with Clemson refusing to back down.
RJ Godfrey, who had a season-high 22 points in their previous encounter, continued to deliver in the post, while Ace Buckner chipped in with seven points. Clemson closed the first half with an 8-2 run, highlighted by crucial 3-pointers from Nick Davidson and Jestin Porter, leading 39-31 at halftime. The Tigers shot impressively, hitting 48% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc, while stifling UNC’s 3-point attempts and forcing eight turnovers.
Despite halftime adjustments from UNC coach Hubert Davis, Clemson extended their lead to 18 points midway through the second half. The Tigers maintained composure, countering every move by UNC’s stars Henri Veesaar and Seth Trimble, and held a 13-point lead with just over three minutes remaining.
North Carolina mounted a furious comeback, fueled by Clemson’s missed free throws and turnovers, narrowing the gap to 76-71 with just over a minute left. Yet, Clemson’s poise and Hunter’s late-game free throws secured a signature win, sending a message to the rest of the league.