The doubt around the Clemson Tigers’ NCAA Tournament has arrived.

Coming in off three losses in four games to end the season, Clemson takes on likely the best of the No. 11 seeds in New Mexico. The Lobos come in red-hot off five-straight wins and a Mountain West Tournament Championship.

There’s been a lot of  discussion that the Tigers got the worst draw. To put everything into perspective, here’s where all the No. 11 seeds rank across major metrics.

New Mexico

NET: 22

KenPom: 23

BPI: 43

Oregon

NET: 59

KenPom: 55

BPI: 62

Duquesne

NET: 80

KenPom: 86

BPI: 89

N.C. State

NET: 63

KenPom: 58

BPI: 57

In short, Clemson did get a bad draw. The metrics aren’t close between New Mexico and the rest of the No. 11 seeds. Add in the trio of guards that could present matchup issues for the Tigers and it makes sense why people are concerned.

ESPN’s Jay Bilas predicts all the NCAA Tournament games every season and he’s predicted the Tigers to fall in the Round of 64. If he’s wrong, Bilas still doesn’t believe Clemson can get past Baylor.

“New Mexico. This is an upset pick. Clemson has been uninspired at certain times, and the Lobos are really good offensively. I don’t like either team to get past Baylor.”

During the explanation, Bilas detailed that the Tigers are not a “knockout punch” team and have failed the close out games. The home losses to Georgia Tech, N.C. State and Virginia all rear their head in the discussion.

So yes, here we are. Clemson is becoming the underdog as the higher seed quickly. March Madness is its name and the Tigers will have to prove it’s not what Bilas calls “uninspiring” Friday.

This isn’t the first time. In 2018, Clemson was underdogs as a No. 5 seed against No. 12 seed New Mexico State. The Tigers won 79-68 and went on to the Round of 32 against No. 4 Auburn.

If the first win didn’t prove the doubters wrong, an 84-53 decimation of the Tigers was the mic drop. The 2024 team has the chance to send the same message in March.