The Clemson Tigers came to Chapel Hill on Saturday knowing they had arguably the best chance in program history to win inside the Dean Smith Center, with the injury-plagued North Carolina Tar Heels struggling mightily early in the season.
Clemson had never won a road game at North Carolina in 59 previous meetings, but thanks to the heroics of junior forward Aamir Simms, who forced overtime with a clutch last-second three in regulation, the Tigers pulled off a historic upset.
Clemson trailed by 10 points at halftime, and the Tar Heels remained in control of the game for the majority of the second half. North Carolina led by 10, 68-58, with two minutes remaining in the game – but Simms ended the game on a personal 9-2 run. With the clock running and the Tigers down three points, Roy Williams elected not to foul and deny a three-point opportunity, and Simms buried a game-tying shot with three seconds remaining. In overtime, Simms hit a driving shot with 18 seconds left to put the Tigers up by three, and the Tar Heels were unable to answer.
For the first time ever, Clemson players were able to celebrate a win on the road against one of college basketball’s greatest programs.
