In pursuit of first ACC tourney name, No. 10 Clemson meets SMU

Clemson is the one constitution member of the Atlantic Coast Convention that hasn’t ever gained the league event.

Whilst the Tigers have long past 0-for-70 of their quest to seize an ACC banner, Duke has 22 titles and North Carolina 18.

It is a daunting historical past for third-seeded Clemson (26-5) because it opens within the ACC quarterfinals towards sixth-seeded SMU (23-9) on Thursday night time in Charlotte, N.C.

This may well be the all-time likelihood for the Tigers, who’re driving an eight-game profitable streak that began Feb. 8 with a 77-71 victory over then-second-ranked Duke.

Clemson enters the event, the place it by no means has gained greater than two video games in a row, ranked tenth within the country. Fifty occasions, it has misplaced its first event sport.

Brad Brownell, the winningest trainer in Clemson historical past, has a 7-14 file within the event and hasn’t ever reached the name sport.

“I do not pass there at this time. Clearly, it might be a large deal,” Brownell mentioned. “What it might imply to my gamers, what it might imply to our enthusiasts, I am very cognizant of that. However, like, we want to win the primary sport.”

Remaining 12 months, the Tigers have been one-and-done, popping out flat in a 76-55 loss to lower-seeded Boston Faculty.

Clemson has had a remarkably enjoyable season, with 15 of its 18 convention wins via double-digit margins.

The Tigers’ profitable streak has come regardless of a troubling droop from Chase Hunter, a first-team All-ACC selection. Previously six video games, he’s averaging 9.3 issues and has hit simply 35.8 % of his photographs from the ground — smartly beneath his season averages of 16 issues and 47.2 %.

“There were a pair video games when other folks have attempted to take him out extra. And when that is took place, I believe love it’s made our different guys higher as it opens up so a lot more area,” Brownell mentioned. “I am not apprehensive.”

Serving to to pick out up the slack all over the profitable streak had been Viktor Lakhin, who has averaged 16 issues and seven.1 rebounds a sport, and Ian Schieffelin, who has submit 13 issues and eight.6 forums.

Hunter was once Clemson’s key participant remaining 12 months in its NCAA Event run to the Elite 8. In 4 event video games, he averaged 17.8 issues and 5.8 assists.

SMU complicated Wednesday within the ACC event with a 73-53 win over Syracuse as Matt Move led a balanced assault with 12 issues and 9 rebounds.

Equivalent-opportunity scoring is not anything new for the Mustangs, as they have got six gamers who reasonable in double figures, led via Boopie Miller (13.3 ppg) and Chuck Harris (12.9).

SMU is likely one of the groups Clemson took down on its present streak, profitable in Dallas 79-69 on Feb. 22. Clemson’s Jaeden Zackery had 19 issues, seven assists, six rebounds and 5 steals.

The Mustangs ruled the glass 39-24, however the Tigers replied with 14-of-29 capturing from 3-point vary (48.3 %) as Zackery hit 5 photographs from deep.

One key to the end result was once a foot harm that sidelined Miller, who additionally leads SMU in assists (5.6).

“We are 21-6 with him and 2-3 with out him, so it presentations how necessary it’s to have him at the courtroom,” SMU trainer Andy Enfield mentioned.

– Box Degree Media