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Clemson men’s basketball achieved a significant milestone with their upset victory over No. 3 North Carolina on Tuesday, marking a rare triumph in Chapel Hill.
Facing another daunting road challenge against the Tar Heels, Clemson appeared poised for another unfavorable outcome. Before Tuesday’s game, Clemson had only managed to defeat UNC once on their home court.
However, the Tigers pulled off a remarkable feat by securing an 80-76 win against the Tar Heels, propelled by another impressive scoring performance from P.J. Hall. This victory allowed head coach Brad Brownell’s team to break free from the shackles of history, becoming only the second team in program history to emerge victorious at The Dean Smith Center.
The outcome of the game was not only surprising but also crucial for Clemson, given their position on the fringes of NCAA tournament qualification.
Previous victories against teams like Alabama, TCU, and South Carolina had hinted at Clemson’s potential to compete with top-tier opponents. Yet, winning at Chapel Hill holds special significance. With a current record of 15-7 (5-6 in ACC play), the future is looking brighter for the Tigers.
“I think we’re playing better than our ACC record,” remarked Coach Brownell. “…We haven’t finished some games, and today we were able to do that.”
Clemson’s history on the road against UNC has been overwhelmingly unfavorable, with the Tar Heels dominating the series in Chapel Hill. Prior to this win, UNC had won 76 of its last 78 home games against Clemson.
However, the rivalry has become more competitive in recent years, as evidenced by Clemson’s two victories at the Dean E. Smith Center in their last three attempts.