Tigers not Satisfied with Being in NCAA Tournament
By: will-vandervort March 17, 2024

CLEMSON — As they waited to see Clemson’s name come up on the video board at Littlejohn Coliseum during CBS’s Selection Show Sunday evening, PJ Hall and Chase Hunter got a little nervous.

“Me and Chase had PTSD, man,” Hall said with a grin. “I am telling you what, I am sitting there like, ‘There is no way. There is no way, man.’”

Clemson (21-11) had to wait until the last bracket of the NCAA Tournament Field was revealed before learning its fate. The Tigers earned a No. 6 seed in the West Regional and will play No. 11 New Mexico on Friday in Memphis, Tenn.

“Chase said right before it started, ‘I hope we are not in the first (bracket) because it has little buildup.’ But I did not want that much buildup,” Hall said. “It was exciting. It was special stuff.”

Though Clemson was a shoo-in to get into the NCAA Field this year, until the players and coaches saw their name, they did not believe it. It was just last year when they were burned by the selection committee despite posting a 23-10 record and finishing third in the ACC with a 14-6 conference record.

“I am excited. This is what you want to be in,” Clemson head coach Brad Brownell said. “You want to be involved in these kinds of games and these opportunities. So, I am super excited and happy for my staff.

“Our staff works tirelessly. I do not think people realize the amount of hours we work. Obviously, we love the game, but we love being in big games. So, being a part of this tournament is significant and it does not get old.”

Brownell said he received several text messages from friends, other coaches across the country and former players congratulating him on making the tournament. The one that meant the most was the one he got from Hunter Tyson, who was on last year’s team.

“Last year, at this time, was gut-wrenching and heartbreaking,” Brownell said. “For (old players) to rally and have a really good season for a lot of them in their last year, this is a nice reward for them.”

Joe Girard, who came to Clemson because he thought the Tigers had the pieces in place to get to the tournament, said he was fired up when he saw Clemson’s name come up.

“That was the one thing when I was in the transfer portal, I wanted to go somewhere where I had the best chance to be playing in March,” the Clemson guard said. “This is what every kid’s dream is growing up who plays basketball. To finally have it be here, again, fortunately my second time, it feels as good as I can even imagine.”

Hunter, who is also making his second tournament appearance, said it was their goal to get to the tournament this year.

“It was nerve-racking seeing all those names pop up and not seeing ours, but once we saw ours, we were excited and we are ready to roll,” Hunter said.

Hall says the Tigers are not satisfied with just making the tournament. They want to make some noise and advance as well.

“It is an incredible accomplishment. Like you said, it was one of the goals this year, but it was a checkpoint,” the first-team All-ACC center said. “We were looking to get there all year, and then continue to advance, so as we are prepping for these games, we are not just looking to get there. We want to continue to make a run and further our season.”

—photo courtesy of Clemson Athletics Communications

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