Photos by Clemson Athletics
Clemson is on its way the Elite Eight for the second time in program history following a 77-72 victory over second-seeded Arizona in Los Angeles, Thursday.
Chase Hunter led the Tigers with 18 points and provided the game’s biggest bucket when he drove into the lane and spun home a layup with 25.7 seconds left. The senior guard drew a foul on the play and his free throw gave Clemson a five-point lead. Moments later, Joseph Girard, III found Hunter’s younger brother, Dillon, alone in the open floor. Dillon Hunter cradled the pass and laid it in for the game’s final points, sealing Clemson’s first trip into the Elite Eight since 1980.
Chase Hunter, PJ Hall (17 points, 8 rebounds) and Ian Schieffelin (14 points, 7 rebounds) finished with the best box scores, but a pair of reserves played a significant part in helping Clemson build a 13-point lead late in the first half. Chauncey Wiggins scored eight points in the first half and made a pair of early 3-pointers that forced Arizona to extend its defense. RJ Godfrey scored five of his seven points in the first nine minutes. Godfrey made the Tigers’ first 3-pointer and his second basket gave Clemson a ten-point lead with 11:18 to go before halftime.
In addition to getting contributions from unlikely sources, the Tigers’ defense gave Arizona fits throughout the game. The Wildcats, who came into the game averaging nearly 88 points, hit 5 of 28 (18%) from the 3-point line and just 37% overall. Midway through the first half, Arizona had more turnovers (4) than field goals (2). Clemson, on the other hand, looked right at home at the west coast venue, making 7 of 13 shots to open the game. At one point in the first half, the Tigers made five straight 3-pointers.
Clemson head coach Brad Brownell admitted the Wildcats’ cold shooting played a role in his team’s success, “We were fortunate tonight. Arizona had some good shots and missed them. That’s part of March Madness and it’s part of the pressure of making shots this time of year in the tournament. That’s an unbelievable team that had a tough shooting night and we were able to capitalize on some of that.”
Arizona star Caleb Love (13 points) was clearly flummoxed by Clemson’s efforts and missed all nine of his shots from long range. Despite an off-night from their leading scorer, the Wildcats did mount a comeback and managed to take a one-point lead with 14:31 to play. As the game wore on, Arizona started to get the ball into the lane with frequency, either by using the dribble or feeding its big man, Oumar Ballo (15 points, 15 rebounds). Hall, who hadn’t committed a foul in the first half, was whistled for three personals less than six minutes into the second half.
But Hall and Clemson adjusted, making smart decisions on the offensive end and switching to a zone defense on the other. With the Wildcats struggling mightily with their perimeter shooting and the fouls piling up, Brownell said the decision came as much from necessity as strategy, “We played a lot of zone late in the game because we knew they were putting their heads down, driving and trying to get fouls … the way the game was going for that stretch, we wouldn’t have had many guys left in the last four minutes if we would have stayed in man.”
Offensively, Chase Hunter took control down the stretch, scoring on an assortment of floaters and pull-ups from the mid-range. Following the game, Hall praised his teammate, saying Hunter is the best “two-way guard in America right now.” Hunter’s backcourt mate, Girard, took the role of playmaker and finished with a team-high six assists. The one 3-pointer Girard made was a crucial one, however. Not only did it steal the momentum back and give his club a five-point lead, it was also Girard’s school-record 100th 3-pointer of the season.
Sixth-seeded Clemson will face Alabama with a spot in the Final Four on the line at 8:49 p.m., Saturday.
Final Stats
