Clemson Head Coach Brad Brownell and company ended their three-game losing streak on Wednesday with a notable win over the No. 25 Louisville Cardinals by the score of 54-50. The first half at Littlejohn Coliseum was a slugfest, which saw Louisville enter halftime with a one-point lead. Clemson utilized the defensive intensity that helped the Tigers climb to No. 12 in the rankings. Clemson held one of the best guards in the ACC, Carlik Jones, to 11 points on 4-of-14 shooting.

Aamir Simms got the offense going early in the first half, which was a welcome turnaround for the Tigers after Simms’ offensive struggles at Florida State. Simms had the hot hand early on, and Clemson attacked the paint, which could not be said during the three-game skid. Simms is the catalyst for this Clemson team, as the team goes when he goes. Simms finished with 16 points and, with nine boards, was one rebound shy of a double-double.

Al-Amir Dawes, who finished with 15 points, got the party started in the second half with a quick eight points. Dawes bounced back after a rough three-game stretch. Hunter Tyson finished with 10 points and also won the 50-50 plays by hustling and bringing the grit. Alex Hemenway did not have the best offensive night, but, on defense, he drew a pivotal charge and came up with a steal. Like Tyson, the Indiana native also showed “Clemson Grit” by winning the 50-50 plays. 

Wednesday’s performance by Clemson was on par with what the college basketball landscape witnessed from Brownell’s squadd prior to the Tigers’ recent COVID-19 pause, with Clemson reminding fans that it is an elite defensive team capable of stopping any offense. Brownell has to be proud of what he saw from his team in the win over Louisville.