Clemson out to rebound, avoid another upset by Louisville

Field Level Media|published: Mon 29th January, 16:52 2024

Jan 27, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers center PJ Hall (24) drives to the basket as Duke Blue Devils center Kyle Filipowski (30) and guard Tyrese Proctor (5) defend during the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. credits: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Clemson's 72-71 loss at then-No. 12 Duke Saturday was as gut-wrenching as they come.

With the Tigers moments away from their first win at Cameron Indoor Stadium since 1995, Josh Beadle fouled Tyrese Proctor, who made two free throws with one second left to lift Duke to a one-point win.

Now, a frustrated Clemson team will have to rebound Tuesday at home against Louisville in Atlantic Coast Conference play and not let the loss linger.

Clemson (13-6, 3-5 ACC) began the season 9-0, climbing as high as 13th in the AP Top 25 poll. As they drift closer to the NCAA Tournament bubble, Tigers head coach Brad Brownell knows Saturday would have been a marquee victory.

"I really hate it for my players," Brownell said, "I thought we played really well tonight in a lot of ways. Obviously, to not be rewarded with a win, it stings."

PJ Hall led the way Saturday, collecting 19 points and 10 rebounds, including a pair of free throws that gave the Tigers the lead with seven seconds left.

Hall paces Clemson with 19.6 points per game, followed by Joseph Girard III (14.8).

Last February, the Tigers were 19-7 and 11-4 in ACC play before seeing their season derailed by an 83-73 loss to a 3-23 Louisville team.

The loss proved fateful for Clemson's NCAA Tournament bid, as the Tigers were left out.

A year later, Louisville (6-14, 1-8) hopes to play spoiler again.

After scoring an 80-71 upset at Miami on Jan. 10, the Cardinals have dropped five straight, including a 69-52 home loss to Virginia on Saturday in which they managed just 13 first-half points.

"I was disappointed that we went over the game plan for three or four days in a row, and then came out and didn't play the way we needed to," Louisville coach Kenny Payne said. "The way that we practiced and studied film didn't translate to the game."

After tying its lowest halftime point total since 1939, Louisville performed better in the second half, outscoring Virginia 39-28.

Mike James leads Louisville with 13.7 points per game, with Skyy Clark close behind at 13.2.

Since Louisville joined the ACC in the 2014-15 season, neither team has won a road game in this series.

—Field Level Media