In their late January game in Tallahassee, the Clemson Men’s Basketball team jumped out to a 16-2 lead only to watch the Seminoles come back, take the lead and have the game within grasp in the final seconds.
Only some last-second Chase Hunter heroics prevented another bad loss on the Tigers resume that night, but there was no rally last night in Littlejohn Coliseum as Clemson dominated from start to finish in a 40-point ACC win, the largest margin in conference in school history.
Clemson shot an incredible 60.3% from the field, 48% on 25 attempts from three-point range and 71% from the free-throw line.
Even more than that, the Tigers defense was in the Seminoles face from the get-go, stifling any hope of a rally for Florida State.
The final piece of the puzzle was hitting the boards, which Clemson dominated to the tune of 34 to 20, even grabbing 7 offensive rebounds on the evening as Ben Middlebrooks played like a man possessed underneath.
About that shooting. P.J. Hall was 8 of 10 from the field, including 4 for 4 from three-point range to score 20, with Chase Hunter totaling 18.
Hunter Tyson chipped in 10, as did Josh Beadle, who had his best game of the season for my money, showing his athleticism, slashing to the basket repeatedly.
Hunter also dished out 6 assists and only committed 1 turnover on the game and the Tigers were an incredible +45 in points in his 28 minutes on the court.
This was the “good” Clemson, the one the fans had gotten accustomed to through late January and everything seemed to work.
It may be too late for the Tigers, who jumped an amazing (and baffling) 14 spots in the NET Rankings to No. 64.
I’ve been told the NET is all about beating good teams. FSU was ranked No. 211 going into last nights game. It makes little sense other than winning by 40, no matter who the opponent is, is good.
Clemson Men’s Basketball travels to Louisville for a game on Saturday
Up next for the Tigers is a trip to No. 325 Louisville on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. in a game that will be carried by the ACC Network.
Clemson certainly can’t afford to lose, and as a matter of fact could use another lopsided victory to keep their post-season hopes alive.