Clemson men’s basketball made a bit of history with Tuesday’s upset win over No. 3 North Carolina.
Staring at the barrel of another harrowing road matchup against the Tar Heels, the Tigers seemed destined for a negative result. Prior to Tuesday’s matchup, Clemson had defeated UNC just one time in enemy territory.
The Tigers managed a repeat of that feat, outlasting the Tar Heels for an 80-76 victory on the back of another P.J. Hall scoring explosion. In the process, head coach Brad Brownell’s squad wriggled free of history’s wretched grasp, becoming just the second team in program history to capture a win at The House that Dean Smith Built.
The result was not only surprising but desperately needed by Clemson. The Tigers find themselves on the fringes of NCAA tournament qualification.
Previous wins against Alabama, TCU and South Carolina indicated that Clemson possessed the talent to compete with some of the nation’s best sides. But a victory at Chapel Hill hits different. Now, with a 15-7 record (5-6 in ACC play), life is starting to look a little more optimistic for those in burnt orange.
“I think we’re playing better than our ACC record,” Brownell said. “…We haven’t finished some games and today we were able to do that.”
Clemson road record vs. UNC
The Tar Heels have crushed the Tigers in Chapel Hill over the years. UNC has won 76 of its last 78 home contests against Clemson.
But the rivalry has gotten more competitive in recent years. Tuesday’s win makes two wins away at Dean E. Smith Center in the last three tries for the Tigers.