The Clemson Tigers’ parade through Charlotte struck a major snag on Wednesday night. Sophomore forward Carter Welling experienced a right knee injury that sent shivers down the Spectrum Center during the first half of a second-round ACC Tournament clash against the 13th-seeded Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
Shortly after the halftime break, the ESPN broadcast team confirmed that Welling has officially been ruled out for the rest of the match. The Tigers managed to maintain their composure on the floor, but the long-term prospects look dubious. Brad Brownell, head coach, gave a sobering update at the half, saying he is "unsure" whether Welling would be available for the rest of the tournament should Clemson advance into Thursday’s quarterfinals.
The injury happened late in the first half, when Clemson was up 37-23. Welling, driving to the hoop, attempted a pump fake but collapsed in visible distress, unable to put weight on his right leg. He was eventually carried to the locker room by two of the training staff. Speaking to ESPN on the halftime show at the intermission, Brownell didn't sugarcoat the visual: "It looked pretty bad, but I don't know anything there."
Inside the tunnel, we can confirm the trainers saying that Welling was taken for immediate X-rays, but the specific results have not yet been released, said the network. Welling’s loss opens a gaping hole in the Tigers' frontcourt.
This season, the Utah Valley transfer has been a real gem, averaging 10.4 points and 5.5 rebounds while offering the sort of rim protection that lets Clemson’s guards play on the perimeter aggressively. And given Welling’s absence, the Tigers are going to rely on RJ Godfrey and Nick Davidson to soak up those interior minutes. Brownell said the team will “need someone else to step up,” to preserve the defensive identity that helped fuel their 22-win season.
If the Tigers hang on to beating Wake Forest, one date will be Thursday night with the fourth-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels. It would be monumentally difficult to take on a UNC team — a college team missing its own star Caleb Wilson, even one potentially missing him, in Welling’s case; one not unlike how big and versatile Welling could be – so small without Welling.
The Clemson fan base is holding their breath for now, waiting to see whether their postseason push will be guaranteed based on the results of those X-rays to consider whether their run through finals will continue without one of its most lasting anchors.