Tag: Clemson vs. Arizona

Brad Brownell on Clemson being built for moments like their Sweet 16 win over Arizona

Brad Brownell continually told his team that they are built for this.

Brad Brownell and the Clemson men’s basketball team are making a statement in the 2024 NCAA Tournament as the Tigers have defied odds with three straight underdog wins landing them in the Elite 8. 

Their latest win came in the Sweet 16 as No. 6 Clemson stunned No. 2 Arizona 77-72 in the NCAA’s West Regional on Thursday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Tigers caught fire at the right time, leading to a deep run in March Madness that has yet to show signs of slowing down. 

After the win, Brownell discussed how this Clemson team is built for moments like these. The team’s experience and their time in the ACC have allowed them to be prepared for the big moment. 

“We talked about it at halftime – guys, they’re going to make another run or two. We used the phrase, ‘We’re built for this.’ We can handle this,” said Brownell. “We have confidence in our team. We’ve won some big-time road games this year, we’ve played a very challenging schedule.”

“Again, my point that the ACC is much better than everybody maybe assumes is bearing fruit again, and I just think the league prepares us for these kinds of games,” Brownell said. “I’ve got an older team. These guys have seen a lot, done a lot, and experienced success. So, I’m just really happy that they were able to withstand it, and we executed some things really well down the stretch.”

The Tigers have been underdogs game after game in the tournament, with their matchup against Alabama in the Elite 8 being no different. Even so, Clemson has thrived as the underdog of late and for most of this season. 

Clemson advances to the Elite 8 as the underdog run continues

Clemson advances to the Elite 8 with a huge win over Arizona.

Clemson basketball secured their first Elite Eight appearance since 1980 with a gritty 77-72 win over Arizona in the NCAA’s West Regional.

This hard-fought victory showcased Clemson’s determination, with key players like Hall and Schieffelin stepping up when it mattered most. Despite Arizona’s relentless pressure, Clemson capitalized on turnovers and bench contributions to head into halftime with a 39-31 lead.

Chase Hunter’s clutch layup and-one, followed by a breakaway layup from his brother Dillon in the closing seconds, sealed the victory for Clemson. This win against No. 2 Arizona is the highest-seeded team Clemson has ever defeated in an NCAA Tournament game.

Led by Chase Hunter’s game-high 18 points, Clemson showcased resilience and determination throughout the game. Despite Arizona’s second-half surge, Clemson maintained control, leading for all but 20 seconds of the game. With standout performances from players like Ian Schieffelin and PJ Hall, Clemson’s victory was a testament to their teamwork and tenacity on the court.

The Tigers now have three wins in the NCAA Tournament, all three coming as underdogs. Clemson is thriving under the pressure, which has made this run that much more exciting.

The Tigers’ next challenge is the West Regional Finals. They will face the winner of North Carolina vs. Alabama.

Watch Chase Hunter ice the game as Clemson takes down Arizona in the Sweet 16

Watch Chase Hunter put the finishing touches on Clemson’s huge Sweet 16 win over Arizona.

Clemson basketball secured a spot in the Elite Eight in a thrilling matchup with a 77-72 win over No. 2 seed Arizona in the NCAA’s West Regional. This marks a significant achievement for Clemson, as it’s their first Elite Eight appearance since 1980, showcasing the team’s resilience and determination on the court.

Throughout the game, Clemson maintained a narrow lead, with key plays from players like Hall and Schieffelin contributing to their success. Despite facing pressure from Arizona, Clemson capitalized on turnovers and bench contributions, leading to a halftime advantage of 39-31. The team’s strong shooting performance, particularly from bench players like Wiggins and Godfrey, propelled them to a double-digit lead in the first half, setting the stage for their victory and advancement to the Elite Eight.

When the game was in crunch time and the Tigers held a 72-70 lead with 25 seconds left on the clock, Chase Hunter iced the game and continued his historic tournament run for the Tigers. Check out Hunter’s bucket below.

 

Clemson holds a commanding lead over Arizona at halftime in the Sweet 16

Clemson came to play as Brownell’s Tigers lead Arizona at the half.

Brad Brownell and the Clemson men’s basketball team lead the Arizona Wild Cats 39-31 in a fierce Sweet 16 battle.

It was a strong half for the Tigers, who entered the matchup as nearly seven-point underdogs. It’s been a game of small runs, with Clemson finding ways to hold on to some solid leads through good defense and some excellent shooting behind the arc.

At the half, the big different between these two teams is shooting percentage. Clemson is shooting 53.3% from the field and 45.5% from three, while Arizona is hitting 40.6% from the field and 18.2% from behind the arc. Clemson’s defense has been smothering, but the Wildcats shooting woes from three have played a major factor.

The Tigers have had a nice spread of offense across the team, led by Ian Schieffelin’s 9 points, Chase Hunter’s 8, and PJ Hall’s 7. If Clemson can continue to play like this, an Elite 8 appearance could be on the way.