LOS ANGELES — All good issues should finish, however Clemson basketball thought it had extra time.
The sixth-seeded Tigers (23-12) overcame being an underdog in three straight rounds within the NCAA match to advance to the Elite Eight. Their protection held opponents to 64 factors per sport in March Insanity, which complemented their inside-out offense that helped PJ Corridor, Chase Hunter and Joseph Girard III thrive.
But Clemson’s time ran out Saturday in its 89-82 loss to No. 4 seed Alabama (24-11) at Crypto.com Enviornment.
“The trip we have been on the final couple of weeks has actually been memorable, not only for all of us however our fan base, which is important,” Clemson coach Brad Brownell stated. ” . . . I am simply unhappy that we’re not going to get to play extra collectively as a result of we have simply had a lot enjoyable.”
However Brownell and the gamers took solace in every little thing they achieved this season. They earned an NCAA match bid for the 14th time, reached their fifth Candy 16 and made the Elite Eight for the primary time in 44 years in its magical journey.
FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA match brackets, scores, schedules, groups and extra.
“Me and (Corridor) simply had a second within the locker room, and I advised him, ‘We made historical past,’ ” Hunter stated. “We did some huge issues for this program. I feel that with me and him doing that, we set this program to a brand new customary.”
What PJ Corridor, Brad Brownell imply to Clemson
An enormous motive for the usual being raised was due to Corridor. The senior joined Clemson in 2020 because the No. 1 participant in South Carolina however performed little in his freshman season and battled accidents by way of his sophomore and junior years.
Corridor put all of it collectively this season, main the staff in scoring and making the All-ACC first staff. His work ethic and willpower rubbed off on his teammates, which helped the veteran group have a sustained NCAA match run.
MORE:Clemson baseball shuts out Miami in ACC collection finale, stays atop Atlantic Division
“One of many explanation why our staff is within the Elite Eight is as a result of our greatest participant permits the top coach to be demanding of him,” Brownell stated. “And so then the tone is ready for everyone in our program.”
One other is the tradition he has constructed throughout his 14 years at Clemson. Brownell is the winningest coach in program historical past, with a 265-189 report, and has essentially the most NCAA match wins in class historical past (six). He is also the one Clemson coach to succeed in the Candy 16 twice.
Regardless of the Tigers making March Insanity simply thrice beneath Brownell getting into this season, gamers continued to imagine what he and his workers had been constructing. Clemson’s season got here to finish Saturday, however with the deep postseason run, gamers are assured that is solely the tip of the iceberg of what this program will be.
“We got here right into a scenario the place it was a doubted tradition, though that they had such an amazing factor increase,” Corridor stated. “And to return in right here, validate what they’ve finished, validate the work they do, is particular.”
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville Information and the USA TODAY Community. Electronic mail him at dcarter@gannett.com and observe him on X, previously often known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00