Just remember that basketball is different than football..

Feb 12, 2025, 7:34 AM

Every team is going to have several losses and even some bad losses, but it doesn't really affect things that much for a team like Clemson - unless we just totally implode and lose virtually every game here on out, we are a lock for the Dance. We aren't playing to be #1 to be in the bracket closest to home, so it's all basically random luck where we end up in the brackets and which seed - we can beat any team and as we all know in March you can lose to anyone.

As nice as it would be to win the ACC tournament, in basketball it requires investing a ton of energy to do so, even with a first rounds of byes, now that there are so many teams. I actually think our best scenario is getting the bye straight to the quarterfinals, but then either losing that game or winning it and losing the next one. Playing three straight days wouldn't be good, and even winning the ACC could give the seniors some sense of accomplishment before the NCAA begins - I would rather them be hungry to get past the Elite 8 run from last year.

I don't think we beat Duke without losing first to GT. There may be another "what the heck" loss before the season ends, but it might be what we need to stay grounded and reminded that any team can beat us and we can't look ahead in the NCAA tournament.

I LOVE that Brownell is giving players days off from practice, knowing we have a lot of experience and leadership on this team and that rest is more important than extra practice. I would love to see less minutes played for some of our key players down the stretch and more time for those we really need to step up if one of our better players gets injured or gets in foul trouble. Someone like Christian Reeves could end up being one of the differences - tell him when he gets the ball or grabs an offensive rebound, go straight back up hard to the basket until he starts making those shots or drawing fouls. Or Jake Heidbreder catching fire when he comes in to give another player a rest - remember he was scoring double digits last year.

Chase Hunter's game against GT was so bad that if I hadn't been watching him for 17 seasons at Clemson and know what type of person and player he is, I would be wondering if he should be investigated for point shaving. But I think that was a game that will come into play later and if we are in that same situation, I want the ball in Chase's hands and hopefully he will drive all the way to the basket or pull up from 12-15 feet where he has been money all season. He showed against Duke and UNC that the GT game didn't hurt him in any way - he bounced right back and continues to shoot an insane percent from 3pt range (remember in past years when he couldn't make wide open shots) with defenders knowing not to let him shoot.

I graduated from Clemson in 2002 and have loved Clemson basketball more than Clemson football ever since I was a student - so that obviously shows that I really just love basketball way more than football. Even considering the OP coaching years and the season we started like 17-0, and knowing anything can happen in the tournament in any round, I don't think I've ever had this much excitement and optimism for a Clemson basketball team!

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"I don't think I've ever had this much excitement and optimism for a Clemson basketball team!"

Beating Duke and UNC back to back will do that to you. Brad has done a really good job with this team. Depth has come along, and the stars are hitting their stride at the right time. The two transfers have fit in incredibly well, and it looks like we're actually better than last year's team that had PJ and Girard. I didn't see this coming.

Agree that rest is important, but I don't think an ACCT title and a really high seed would hurt this team's chances at a deep run in the NCAAT. Seems like Brad is willing and able to make sure his guys are ready.

Sure, it's basketball and hiccups are more common than in football, but the schedule is pretty manageable. Outside of the game in Dallas against SMU, they're all games Clemson should win. Even if they do have a slip up game in there, 4-2 the rest of the way is a perfectly reasonable expectation. That'd put us at 24-7. A buy to the quarterfinals, run the table in the ACCT, beat Duke again, you're 27-7, and should probably be a 2 seed or a 3 at worst. Go 28-6 with a couple wins over Duke and an ACC regular season and tournament championship, and that could earn a 1 seed. 29-5 definitely should and probably would. Sounds like a fairy tale, but at this late stage in the season, it's within reach for this team.

Hope Brad and the guys have a big finish.

Just remember that basketball is different than football..

Re: Just remember that basketball is different than football..

Re: Just remember that basketball is different than football..

Re: Just remember that basketball is different than football..

Re: Just remember that basketball is different than football..

TU but please me you didnt type that on a phone .***

Haha - I try not to post anything on my phone

However, you could argue, if we didnt lose to USUC and GT and had only 3 losses

Re: Just remember that basketball is different than football..

I think it won't matter as much as long as we are not in a play in game

Love this! POTD!***

Re: Just remember that basketball is different than football..

Re: Just remember that basketball is different than football..

Disagree about ACC tourneythis team is deep enough

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