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Clemson Douses UNC's ACC Tournament Hopes 80-79
14 Mar
Summary
- North Carolina lost to Clemson 80-79 in the ACC tournament quarterfinals.
- Coach Davis cited the team's inability to respond to physical defense.
- The Tar Heels' bench was significantly outscored by Clemson's reserves.
The North Carolina Tar Heels were eliminated from the ACC tournament quarterfinals on Thursday night, suffering an 80-79 defeat against the Clemson Tigers. Head coach Hubert Davis expressed disappointment, pointing to the team's inability to respond to Clemson's defensive physicality. Davis noted that the Tigers' pressure disrupted North Carolina's offensive sets, affecting cuts and screens until the second half. He also emphasized the importance of consistent defense and rebounding, areas where the Tar Heels struggled, allowing Clemson to shoot 50 percent from the field.
The Tar Heels' bench also failed to provide a spark, being outscored 29-5 by Clemson's reserves. Davis credited Clemson's bench players for stepping up and executing offensively. The coach reiterated that ultimately, securing defensive stops and finishing possessions with rebounds are crucial for success, something his team has not done consistently in recent games. This loss marks a missed opportunity for North Carolina, as they now enter the NCAA tournament on a two-game losing skid.
