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Clemson Basketball: What are reasonable expectations in NCAA Tourney?

By Shawn Spencer

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 15: Head coach Brad Brownell of the Clemson Tigers claps from the bench during the game against the UAB Blazers during the first round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at UD Arena on March 15, 2011 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH - MARCH 15: Head coach Brad Brownell of the Clemson Tigers claps from the bench during the game against the UAB Blazers during the first round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at UD Arena on March 15, 2011 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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The Clemson basketball program is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011. What are reasonable expectations for the Tigers?

We’ve received this question a lot over the past couple of weeks: What are reasonable expectations for Clemson basketball in the NCAA Tournament?

Believe or not, I’ve had people say anything less than a Sweet-16 berth would be a failure.

I’ve also had others say that they would be happy if the Tigers could win just one game.

We found out on Sunday that Clemson basketball will be the No. 5 seed in the Midwest Region. The Tigers will take on New Mexico State, who we did an analysis on yesterday.

Overall, it seems like a favorable match up, but no one should take the Aggies, who have a couple of seasoned seniors, lightly.

Reasonable Expectations…

It’s tough to really set what are reasonable expectations in the NCAA Tournament. We’ve seen a program like Duke be eliminated in the first round by a mid-major team to come back the next year and make it to the Final Four or the National Championship game.

If that can happen to a program like the Blue Devils, it can happen to anyone.

So, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw Clemson basketball- who has no one with NCAA Tourney experience- lose on Friday night.

I also wouldn’t be surprised if the Tigers made a run into the Sweet 16 and beyond.

However, if you were to press me on it, here’s what I think happens:

We’re pressing…

I believe Clemson beats New Mexico State on Friday and then turns around and beats the winner of Auburn-College of Charleston.

After that, I’d expect the Tigers to be matched up with Kansas in the Sweet 16. That one, in my opinion, should favor the Jay Hawks.

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Could Clemson pull out the win and get to the Elite 8? Absolutely, but we’ll just have to wait and see how they’re playing and what these teams look like down the stretch. In some ways, though, we’re putting the cart way before the horse as I would just like to see the Tigers win and advance on Friday.

What do you think, Clemson basketball fans? What are reasonable expectations for the Tigers in the big dance? Comment below with your thoughts!

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