Clemson secured a spot in the Elite Eight for only the second time in school history with a hard-fought 77-72 victory over Arizona in the West Region semifinal on Thursday night. The sixth-seeded Tigers were led by Chase Hunter, who contributed 18 points, including a crucial three-point play in the final seconds of the game.
PJ Hall also had a strong performance for Clemson, adding 17 points to the team's winning effort. This victory sets up a matchup for the Tigers against either top-seeded North Carolina or No. 4 seed Alabama in the next round.
The last time Clemson reached the Elite Eight was back in 1980 when the NCAA Tournament featured 48 teams. Coach Brad Brownell, in his 14th season with the Tigers, expressed his pride in the team's accomplishment, stating, 'We’ve battled a lot of things. This is a great moment for Clemson basketball.'
On the other side, second-seeded Arizona struggled with their shooting throughout the game, particularly from beyond the arc. The Wildcats went a dismal 5 of 28 (17.9%) on three-point attempts, with Caleb Love missing all nine of his shots from long range. Despite efforts from Jaden Bradley and Oumar Ballo, who scored 18 and 15 points respectively, Arizona fell short of reaching the Elite Eight for the 12th time overall and the first time since 2015.
Wildcats coach Tommy Lloyd faced disappointment as his team was eliminated in the Sweet 16 for the second time in his three seasons at the helm.
Looking ahead, Clemson aims to make history by advancing to the Final Four for the first time, while Arizona will reflect on their season and look to regroup for future challenges.
In a game filled with intensity and key plays, Ballo's one-handed dunk on an alley-oop late in the first half stood out as a highlight for Arizona. Despite the loss, this moment showcased the Wildcats' athleticism and determination on the court.
As the NCAA Tournament continues, fans can follow the action and track the bracket updates on the AP March Madness bracket page and stay updated with comprehensive coverage on the tournament through the AP March Madness hub.
