Clemson coach Brad Brownell motivated his team, emphasizing their potential despite previous setbacks. The Tigers secured a notable victory by defeating No. 3 North Carolina on the road for only the second time in program history. PJ Hall’s 25 points, including a crucial putback, propelled Clemson to an 80-76 win, despite nearly squandering a 16-point lead. Joseph Girard III contributed 21 points, sealing the victory with a key 3-pointer. Clemson, now 15-7 overall, fought hard against the Tar Heels, who had recently defeated Duke. UNC’s Armando Bacot and RJ Davis combined for 46 points, but their team’s 36.9% shooting hindered their comeback efforts. Clemson dominated early, prompting UNC coach Hubert Davis to call an early timeout to address his team’s lack of energy and effort.
