REPORT: Clemson makes history for the first time in 44 years.

REPORT: Clemson makes history for the first time in 44 years.

The Clemson Tigers are advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time in 44 years.

Clemson came out firing on all cylinders. The Tigers’ defense overwhelmed the 2-seeded Wildcats, who entered the game ranked 9th in offensive efficiency (KenPom). Switching on screen and preventing fast break points, nothing came easy for Arizona. Meanwhile Chase Hunter, Ian Schieffelin and some major bench contributions from Chauncey Wiggins and RJ Godfrey helped the Tigers build a 27-14 lead with 7:18 to go in the first half.

Arizona continuously attacked Clemson in the paint with 7-footer Oumar Ballo, but Hall and Schieffelin didn’t commit a single foul in the half — sometimes even sidestepping and allowing a bucket. Ballo led Arizona in scoring at halftime, but still only had six points thanks to 0-3 free throw shooting. Arizona ratcheted up the defense with a full court press towards the end of the half and took Clemson out of rhythm. This allowed the Wildcats to cut the lead to eight as the teams entered the half with the score at 39-31.

Schieffelin led all scorers with 9 first half points while Chase Hunter and Chauncey Wiggins each had 8 and PJ Hall had 7.

Arizona came out of halftime with even more defensive intensity and it was quickly clear that their defensive ability would make holding the lead even harder than it was against Baylor the weekend prior. In less than six minutes, Arizona completed the comeback and took a 46-45 lead, their first of the game. That’s typically when you’d expect an underdog who took an early lead to fold. Clemson however showed incredible resiliency and regrouped.

Over the next 10 minutes of game clock, the Arizona Wildcats made zero field goals. They scored 12 points all coming from perfect 12/12 free throw shooting. Clemson was severely outplaying the blue blooded favorites, and it felt like the referees — who let both teams play a very physical style in the first half — were determined to decide the game themselves.

Despite this, Clemson smartly slowed the tempo and actually regained the lead and then extended it to 7-points with just under 5 minutes left to play. Unfortunately, the bevy of foul calls put Arizona into the bonus and Clemson deep into foul trouble. Coach Brownell responded by switching to a zone defense. Remarkably, this lulled Arizona into settling for out-of-rhythm 3-pointers again and again.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*