Clemson men’s basketball needed another quality win to boost the NCAA Tournament resume and they got it with a 67-55 win over Syracuse on Saturday. 

The Tigers also escaped with a win on the road at Notre Dame, winning 64-62 earlier in the week on Wednesday.

The first half for the Tigers on Saturday wasn’t pretty, as they missed their first 13 shot attempts and they trailed by seven points at halftime. Marcquise Reed and the Clemson seniors found a way to kick it in gear with a 14-0 run to begin the second half to take the lead for good.

After the game Saturday, Brad Brownell explained that his team looks like an NCAA Tournament team “without question.”

Clemson sits at 9-9 in ACC play and 19-12 overall and will have a chance to further impress the committee as the ACC Tournament commences at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte this week.

Clemson will face NC State on Wednesday. Tipoff is at noon with the winner will facing Virginia in the quarterfinal round on Thursday at 12:30 p.m.

Women’s basketball falls in ACC Tournament, awaits tournament destination

Amanda Butler’s squad came up short in the quarterfinal round of the ACC Tournament, falling to Louisville, 75-67 on Friday.

Clemson’s record sits at 19-12 overall and 9-7 in ACC play, which is a far cry from where they were in 2018, when they won just one conference game. Amanda Butler was also named ACC Coach of the Year last week. At this point, all signs point to an NCAA Tournament birth.
Clemson spring football practice heads into final week before Spring Break

Xavier Thomas will be counted on as one of the leaders of the defensive line in 2019, but Thomas says not much has changed now that he’s one of the starters.

“I’m still keeping myself grounded because I haven’t done anything yet, [I] still haven’t started a game yet, so I have to keep myself grounded and get better each and every day,” said Thomas.

Thomas says the area with the most experience on defense is the back seven in the secondary, with guys like A.J. Terrell, Isaiah Simmons and Tanner Muse all back for another season.

Xavier Kelly will be a guy who should see more snaps in 2019, he’s had to wait his turn but he says it’s been a blessing.

“Coach (Dabo) Swinney always preaches don’t grow weary. I believe that God has a plan for me. God’s plan for me is greater than the plan I have for myself so [I’m] just working hard everyday and not getting down on myself and knowing my time is coming,” said Kelly.

Head coach Dabo Swinney has been impressed by what he’s seen from offensive linemen Jackson Carman, who is looking to take the place of graduated senior Mitch Hyatt.

“He’s still got some work to do, body wise. It’s his best asset and his worst asset. He’s incredibly athletic, he’s naturally strong but it’s also his worst part because he’s got to really work hard to maintain. He’s going to get big in a hurry but he’s in a good place right now. He’s getting stronger but he’s loudly had a good seven days. I’m very encouraged with that,” Swinney said on Friday.
Clemson will scrimmage on Wednesday before the team takes next week off for Spring Break. The spring football game will be played on Saturday, April 6 at 2:30 p.m. The game will be televised by ESPN2.
Clemson baseball wins series against No. 3 North Carolina

Monte Lee and the Clemson baseball team picked up a series win against the No. 3 team in the nation, North Carolina over the weekend.

Friday’s game was postponed due to rain, resulting in a doubleheader on Saturday. Clemson won Game one, 3-2 on a balkoff in the ninth inning from Elijah Henderson. The Tigers won Game two, 17-3, headlined by 20 hits.

The Tigers completed the sweep of the Tar Heels on Sunday, winning 5-4, thanks to a two-run walk-off homer by Logan Davidson in the ninth inning.
Clemson will face Coastal Carolina on Wednesday at 6 p.m. before Notre Dame comes to Doug Kingsmore Stadium for the weekend series beginning Friday at 6 p.m.

Saturday’s game will be played at 3 p.m., while Sunday’s game will be played at 1 p.m. NOTE: The baseball schedule is subject to change.

Other news/notes of interest in Tiger Town

• Clemson volleyball defeated Georgia, 3-1 in Jervey Gym on Saturday kicking off their spring exhibition matches.