MEMPHIS, Tenn.— Though PJ Hall was in foul trouble in both the first and second round games of the NCAA Tournament and he did not play his best, none of that mattered.

Why? Because Hall is the ultimate team player. It is not about his success, it’s about the program’s success and in particular this team’s success.

Without Hall playing his best, No. 6 seed Clemson advanced to the Sweet 16 Round of the NCAA Tournament thanks to Sunday’s 72-64 victory over No. 3 Baylor at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn.

This marks the fifth time in the program’s history and the first time since 2018 that Clemson has advanced to the Sweet 16.

“It is special. It is what I came here for,” an emotional Hall said after the game. “It has been a dream of mine to get to this tournament and then advance far in it and just take another step in that.”

Clemson will play Arizona in the Sweet 16 from Los Angeles. Tipoff for that game is set for 7 pm (CBS).

“I love these guys to death man. There are so many guys that care, from the managers to 15 guys on the bench,” Hall said. “It is just a special group. Golly, this is fun.”

The win over Baylor also marked the first time since 1980, when Clemson made it to the Elite Eight, the Tigers knocked off a No. 3 seed or higher. That year, they beat No. 3 seed BYU.

“After the BC game, we got punched in the mouth by just about everybody you could think of and that shows the resilience and depth of this team to stick together and to know none of that mattered,” Hall said. “None of the favorites matter. None of that mattered. All that mattered was in this room, this staff and the heart we have been showing for two games straight.”

–photo by John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

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