The bracket has been set, the bags packed, and the Clemson Tigers are on their way to the Sunshine State. After a rollercoaster ACC Tournament that had them seal the deal and lock-down in a shorthanded semifinal exit against Duke, Brad Brownell’s squad has their marching orders.
Clemson is moving into the postseason as the No. 8 seed in the South Region, starting at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
The First Hurdle: High-Octane Date With Iowa
The Tigers will compete in the tournament on Friday, March 20, at 5:50 p.m. ET on TNT. Their opponent? The No. 9 seed Iowa Hawkeyes, who bring a 21-12 record and a history of lighting up the scoreboard. It is a classic “clash of styles” game. Iowa hopes to turn the game into a track meet under the bright lights, and Clemson — which won’t have Carter Welling in the interior — prides itself on half-court execution and defensive grit.
The Road to the Final Four: A Journey Past Giants
If Clemson can survive the Hawkeyes' offensive onslaught, the road just gets steeper. The South is being called the “Region of Pressure” for a reason. The No. 1 seed Florida Gators would almost certainly be waiting in the Second Round. Going toe-to-toe with the reigning national champions in their home state is a nightmare for any team, and certainly for one missing its starting center.
If the Tigers could indeed perform the ultimate shocker in Tampa, then they would take it to Houston for the Sweet 16. There, they would likely contend against either No. 4 Nebraska or a menacing No. 5 Vanderbilt squad that has already established it can take down Florida this season. And if the “Cinderella” slippers are still appropriate by the Elite Eight, a date with No. 2 Houston or No. 3 Illinois would put the Tigers between them and a visit to Indianapolis for the Final Four.
New Reality: Life Without Welling
Success on this trajectory is all about how Brad Brownell manages a rotation that just lost its heartbeat. With Carter Welling out with a torn ACL, the Tigers must have three players step into the void if they are to survive in the postseason.
RJ Godfrey is now the undisputed leader in the paint. He’s currently averaging almost 12 points per game and will likely be asked to play upward of 35 minutes a night. Next to him, freshman Chase Thompson becomes the ultimate "X-factor"; his ability to extend the floor and make shots from the perimeter will be key to keeping opposing defenses honest. Finally, veteran Nick Davidson must master discipline. With the Tigers' frontcourt depth on life support, Davidson cannot afford to get into foul trouble because the rim protection will disappear outright.