Following an ugly ACCT loss to Boston College, the critics of Clemson basketball and Brad Brownell came out of the woodwork.
Was it justified? Maybe Maybe not. This was a team that looked like one of the country’s 15 best in November and December. They played unevenly going 11-9 in conference, and were a trainwreck in the ACC tournament.
They were safely in the NCAA tournament, but a short stay would have Clemson fans further bristling with frustration.
Now speaking as a Clemson fan as well, the below is just insane to me. I’d never root for a coach to lose in the tournament, but the sentiment wasn’t as uncommon as it should have been.
A Clemson fan just called in and said he’d rather have Clemson LOSE in the tournament to get rid of Brad Brownell than win.
Repeat: A Clemson fan wants his team to LOSE.
And because we know you’ll say “This never happened,” we’re about to post the audio for you! #ALLIN
— Marc Ryan (@MarcRyanOnAir) March 14, 2024
Well after trouncing MWC Champ New Mexico 77-56, not only is Brownell perfectly safe, but he and Clemson are 1 game from the Sweet 16.
Nothing silences critics like winning, and Clemson went out and dominated a New Mexico team that was a trendy pick to beat Clemson in an 11 – 6 game. It was a start to finish blowout, where if Joe Girard didn’t have one of his poorer games as a Clemson Tiger would have been a 30+ point win.
Now they face a quality Baylor team, but not one Clemson can’t play with. Baylor went 1-2 against TCU and Duke. Clemson beat TCU and came within seconds of beating Duke.
Hopefully, the few, but vocal Clemson fans rooting for Brownell to lose can find a way to enjoy this win.
