Sixth-seeded Clemson held off a late run by No. 2 seed Arizona on Thursday night, as the Tigers prevailed 77-72 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles to advance to the second Elite Eight in program history.
Clemson (24-11) led for 37:02 in the game and trailed Arizona (27-9) for just 20 seconds, while the game was tied twice. The win, Clemson’s first over Arizona in history, puts the Tigers into the Elite Eight for the first time since the 1980 NCAA Tournament.
As you’d expect, there were a slew of reactions on social media to Clemson’s victory and the Tigers punching their ticket to the Elite Eight.
Check out some of what they’re saying below:
DO NOT DOUBT THE TIGERS 🐅#MarchMadness @ClemsonMBB pic.twitter.com/zzEFhxxR1z
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2024
Welcome back, @ClemsonMBB 😏#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/d7QdhiAm2Y
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2024
(6) CLEMSON ADVANCES TO THE ELITE 8 😱
The Tigers pull off the upset over (2) Arizona 77-72 to move on! #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/x7J1fB8Xpi
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2024
Littlejohn was LOUD!!!!!!!!#ClemsonGRIT || @ClemsonMBB pic.twitter.com/SQtUH5uwWN
— Clemson Athletics (@ClemsonTigers) March 29, 2024
"Anything can happen in these tournaments. You've gotta have really good players and I have really good players."
—@ClemsonMBB's Brad Brownell pic.twitter.com/NAohtgbYeZ
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 29, 2024
I owe Brownell an apology. I’ll officially say it.
Biggest win in Clemson basketball history
— #11 Clemson Addict (24-5, 16-2) (@Clemson_Addict) March 29, 2024
Brownell haters gotta keep the tweets in the drafts AGAIN😂😂😂
— Elijah Rodgers (@Elijahrodgerss) March 29, 2024
TELL 'EM P WOO!!!! https://t.co/5vg4FmvbCj pic.twitter.com/Swlq4xjVXK
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) March 29, 2024
.@ClemsonMBB star Chase Hunter on going to the Elite 8: pic.twitter.com/u0WCeNVGJy
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 29, 2024
CLEMSON!!!! Let’s Gooooo!!!!
— Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) March 29, 2024
Clemson trailed for a grand total of :21 seconds against Arizona.
This is not an upset.
The better team won this game.
The Tigers defense has come up huge 3 games in a row.@WSPA7— Todd Summers (@ToddSummers7) March 29, 2024
Clemson beats Arizona to go to Elite 8 for the first time since 1980 when Clemson beat Lamar on Arizona's home court.
— Tim Bourret (@TimBourret) March 29, 2024
In three NCAA Tournament games against teams it was listed as the underdog Clemson has trailed for 50 seconds total.
— Tim Bourret (@TimBourret) March 29, 2024
Clemson's win over #2 seed Arizona is the highest seeded team Clemson has defeated in the NCAA Tournament. It was the fourth win over an AP Top 25 team this year. All 4 have been away from home, most top 25 wins away from home in Clemson history.
— Tim Bourret (@TimBourret) March 29, 2024
Can't spell Brownell without 8
Letters.Congrats @Coach_Brownell@ClemsonMBB#Elite8 first time in my lifetime!
Great time to be a Tiger!
— JONNY CARROTS 🥕 (@JonnyCarrots007) March 29, 2024
ALL THE EMOTIONS ‼️#MarchMadness @ClemsonMBB pic.twitter.com/vQNKYZK7YG
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2024
ELITE 8 BOUND @ClemsonMBB pic.twitter.com/3sfSmWgE25
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 29, 2024
On the postgame show after Clemson's win …
Charles Barkley: "Shout-out to Dabo Swinney"
Ernie Johnson a few moments later: "Would you like to shout out Brad Brownell as well?"
Chuck quickly praises him, too
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) March 29, 2024
BUILT FOR THIS‼️@ClemsonMBB || #ClemsonGRIT pic.twitter.com/AceQ2oFOxm
— Clemson Athletics (@ClemsonTigers) March 29, 2024
GO. TIGERS.
— sammy brown 🪐 (@sammybrown_) March 29, 2024
Not a bad time to join the Clemson family! Congrats @ClemsonMBB, on to the Elite 8! Let’s Gooooo!! 🐅
— Shawn Poppie (@Coach_Poppie) March 29, 2024
Congrats to @Coach_Brownell and our Clemson Tigers‼️ #Elite8 https://t.co/7CpYz4BdJ8
— Coach Jeff Scott (@coach_jeffscott) March 29, 2024
There's only room for one cat 🐅#MarchMadness @ClemsonMBB pic.twitter.com/1eef01Ruit
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 29, 2024
NOT. DONE. YET.
🎥 @ClemsonMBB pic.twitter.com/A6fXvbBdRp
— ACC Men's Basketball (@accmbb) March 29, 2024
Coast-to-Coast Tiger Pride!!! pic.twitter.com/3iYR0EZ5re
— Clemson Basketball (@ClemsonMBB) March 29, 2024
–Photo for this article courtesy of Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports