CHARLOTTE — After last season’s NCAA Tournament run ended in the Elite Eight, Dillon Hunter has been putting in the work to do his part to help Clemson make an even deeper run this season.
However, after breaking his hand in the ACC Tournament win over SMU, any postseason run this season won’t include Hunter. The junior guard was limited to just nine minutes in the first half against the Mustangs Thursday night before suffering the injury.
Without Hunter, Clemson shot just 39% from the floor while committing nine turnovers in the semifinal loss to Louisville. Watching the Tigers struggle offensively and knowing he could not help was difficult.
“It was one of the worst feelings in the world,” Hunter told The Clemson Insider. “Being able to watch the game but not play… I have been playing all my life and I love it. I just wanted to contribute to the team and support the guys. I love these guys. I just wanted to go out and play for them.”
Ever since last season’s magical run in the NCAA Tournament, Hunter and the rest of his teammates have had their sights set on a repeat performance. Maybe even a run to the Final Four.
Now the Tigers will have to attempt to do it without his services.
“It was heartbreaking,” Hunter said. “Especially being out the rest of the season. You work all summer to play in March Madness, to go play in March Madness… it hurt my heart.”
Hunter has been a key piece for Brad Brownell this season. He may only be averaging 5.4 points per game, but his ball-handling and defense will be missed the most.
Hunter has been exceptional when it comes to running the floor. He has just 14 turnovers in more than 640 minutes, and he was averaging about two assists per game. Not to mention, he is one of the best defenders on the team.
Even if he can’t go out and play, Hunter still plans to do whatever he can to help the team win. In the loss to Louisville, he was routinely seen trying to motivate teammates in huddles.
“I know I can not contribute physically, but mentally I can give the guys some help with their mental confidence,” Hunter said. “Just being an energy guy.”
Watching his team lose in the final seconds last night was, no doubt, heartbreaking. The no-call on his older brother Chase in the waning seconds was tough to take.
Despite the excruciating loss, Hunter insists this was another example of just how gritty this team is and he’s anxious to see what they will do in the NCAA Tournament. Even if he has to watch from the bench.
“It shows we are resilient,” Hunter said. “We are going to find a way to win. I know we didn’t win tonight, but we are still going to fight. Fight to the very end.”
Photo courtesy of Bob Donnan-Imagn Images