Saturday Clemson lost its 4th straight single-possession ACC game. This one was a 77-76 loss to NC State. Once and you give the other team credit, twice that might be back luck, three times you’ve got a real trend, and four times? It’s your fault.
Clemson as it stands is easily in the NCAA tournament. 17-8 (7-7) Q1/Q2 8-6 NET 28. There are wins Alabama, North Carolina, TCU, and South Carolina. The resume is strong and most projections have them as a 5 or 6 seed, but there is a problem that keeps coming up.
The Tigers can’t seem to win single-possession games during ACC play, and it’s keeping them from reaching their full potential.
Well, we’ve already said that was 4 straight single-possession ACC losses, and that it’s certainly Clemson’s fault at this point which means the head coach Brad Brownell.
That we have enough data points to rank them is bad enough, but here we go.
1) February 17, 204 Clemson 76 NC State 77
Decision – Off a made basket and more than 9 seconds left. Brownell fails to call TO choosing to play out the possession. Chase Hunter gets to the paint but is blocked from reaching the goal by NC State as he fails to see an open Ian Schieffelen under the goal. Why didn’t Brownell call time out to setup things up?
Following on the heels of what happened against Virginia, Brownell made the exact same decision against NC State in the exact same situation. For me that compounds the issue, because it happened again.
2) January 16, 2024, Clemson 90 Georgia Tech 93 (2 OT)
Decision – Up 3 71-68 with 11 seconds, Georgia Tech advances the ball and hits a 3 with 2 seconds left to tie the game. The Jackets go on to win in 2 OT. Why didn’t Brownell foul to put Georgia Tech at the line?
I was watching this game and kept waiting for Clemson to foul. It never came. Up 6 with under a minute and up 9 with a little over 90 seconds, this was an epic collapse. The failure to foul Georgia Tech and put them at the line was questionable at best.
3) February 3, 2024, Clemson 65 Virginia 66
Decision – Off a missed FT, and 6 seconds left. Brownell fails to call TO choosing to play out the possession. Chase Hunter’s path to the paint is cut off by Virginia, and they are forced into a low percentage 3 by Jack Clark. Why didn’t Brownell call a timeout?
I’m not saying it’s always a good idea to call a timeout in favor of playing out a final possession. In this case, Brownell gambled and lost. After such a poor set though in this situation, that’s what made the NC State decision much worse.
4) January 27, 2024, Clemson 71 Duke 72
Decision – Up 1 71-70 with just 7 seconds left, Clemson doesn’t put anyone on inbound passer or step in front of Tyrese Proctor until he reaches the 3-point line at which time Proctor easily gets into the lane. He’s fouled and makes 2 Free Throws and game over. Why didn’t Brownell instruct his defense to slow the advance of the ball or put a person on the inbounds pass? Proctor moved unimpeded across half-court.
I think there is an element of bad luck here, but you have to know the situation. You’re in Cameron, late game calls historically will go against you. Try to deny the advance of the ball.
