CLEMSON – The saying goes ‘your losses are your greatest lessons’ but that’s not a perfect scenario for Clemson head coach Brad Brownell. While losing presents a lot to learn from, he would prefer a win-win situation.
“You don’t want to learn all of your lessons after a loss. You can win too,” Brownell said.
The Asheville Championship was the perfect example of that for the Tigers. Against UAB, Clemson went back-and-forth in the final minute before guard Chase Hunter’s two free throws and a stop in the waning moments secured the win.
Two days later, the Tigers overcame an 18-point deficit over Davidson to get the victory. Winning close games is never easy, and Brownell referenced how that is often the difference in a season. So, what’s the difference for Clemson?
“PJ (Hall). PJ was not healthy most of November and December. You back and watch the films and he doesn’t even look like the same guy. So when you have an All-Conference player who’s 60%, it’s a big difference when he’s 100,” Brownell said.
Through three games, the senior center is averaging 21.3 points, seven rebounds and two blocks on 56.8% shooting. He’s confident, and that’s something that Brownell emphasized given the fact that he’s not holding back when he’s healthy.
“His confidence is probably at an all-time high because he’s putting in the work and he knows he’s prepared and he knows he’s a good, talented player but he’s also not lugging a leg around or questioning himself at all,” Brownell said.
Last year against Iowa was a game that Brownell described as “really hard” for Hall. It was tough for him both mentally and physically because he couldn’t go out and perform as he’d like to against a top-25 opponent.
Hall ended up playing just 13 minutes, and Brownell said his mother came and gave the Clemson coach a hug and was crying postgame. “It was hard for her” to see Hall struggling like that, but nearly a year later, the Tigers star is proving what a healthy PJ Hall looks like.
So when you ask why Clemson is 3-0, it starts with Hall. As this team grows, it doesn’t mean they have to lose along the way and a star player makes that possible.