Box score | VIDEO: Postgame Press Conference
Hundreds of people were watching on Senior Night, after a win over Syracuse, when Chase Hunter grabbed the microphone and promised the crowd Clemson was about to make a run.
Millions were watching when the same guy made a run to the basket with his team up two, the game clock under 30 seconds, and the shot clock under 10 seconds.
Maybe there were still some folks out there who didn't believe this team had it in them going into tonight, even after the Tigers took over Memphis.
BECOME A SUBSCRIBER AT TIGERILLUSTRATED.com!
Being one of the final 16 teams standing is a hell of an accomplishment. Job well done.
But no one who watched this team and this 77-72 victory on this night -- Clemson fans, Arizona fans, anyone -- can harbor much doubt anymore.
The Tigers showed for almost the entire game that they have the goods.
And then, when they needed something to happen after a 3-pointer by Jaden Bradley created some madness characteristic of March, the guy who had the microphone that night at Littlejohn 23 days ago had the ball in his hand and did what he knew how to do.
Not much separates really good teams this time of year, but quite often a guy who can attack the rim and score is what makes the difference.
The other team was thought to have had that guy in Caleb Love.
Clemson had Hunter. And Hunter was just plain better on this night.
Clemson was just plain better on this night.
Hunter drove to the rim and scored on a up-and-under move with his left hand, getting fouled by Bradley in the process with 25 seconds left.
He made the free throw to put Clemson up five.
Join Tigerillustrated.com subscribers on The West Zone message board!
A Love layup trimmed it to three with 15 seconds left, but another Hunter got behind the defense.
Joseph Girard found Dillon Hunter, who scored and was fouled with nine seconds left.
Clemson, the No. 6 seed that lost by 21 to Boston College a mere 15 days ago, is still dancing after knocking off the No. 2 seed Wildcats.
Clemson, the football school whose NCAA Tournament history can fit into a thimble, is advancing to the Elite Eight.
Clemson, whose basketball coach was recently facing ire from fans for losing three out of four games entering the NCAAs, is now watching Brad Brownell achieve something that's has only been accomplished once in school history (and that in 1980).
Positively amazing.
But positively not miraculous.
If some people paint this as some Cinderella story, they're not paying much attention.
The Tigers once again used smothering defense to take control, leading by as many as 13 points.
And once again, a high-flying offense got thrown out of its rhythm so much that it missed shot after shot.
Arizona attempted 28 3-pointers and missed 23 of them.
Love was 0-for-9 from long range.
Love, Pelle Larson and Kylan Boswell were a combined 2-for-20 from 3.
Add to that several missed shots at the rim and eight missed free throws, and that was the difference.
Almost the exact same difference as in Clemson's first- and second-round triumphs over New Mexico and Baylor.
The Tigers shot 49.2 percent from the field and 8-of-25 from 3 and had 17 assists on 29 baskets.
One of those assists came after Brownell called a 30-second timeout with Clemson up three points, the game clock at 1:06 and the shot clock at nine seconds.
Girard flared to the wing and drew two defenders. That left the lane wide open for PJ Hall, who took the inbounds pass from Hunter and dunked to push the margin to 72-67.
Thirty-eight seconds earlier, a Hall cut to the basket produced another huge basket.
So yeah, this was about more than just defense.
This was about Clemson having the offensive chops, the ability to play chess to the Wildcats' checkers at times.
Hall had 17 points and eight rebounds. Ian Schieffelin had 14 points and seven rebounds, and a banked-in 3-pointer from him with just under nine minutes left to put Clemson up five told you this was going to be Clemson's night.
Once again Chase Hunter led the Tigers in scoring with 18 points on 8-of-15 shooting, five assists and seven rebounds.
Yes, the same Hunter who had a nightmare against Boston College that night in the ACC Tournament.
But also the same Hunter who took the microphone that Senior Night and promised hundreds of fans what was to come.
He and the Tigers sealed that promise in front of millions.
BIG MARCH DEALS on officially-licensed Clemson apparel and gear at The Tiger Fan Shop HERE!
