Clemson Rides Stifling Defense to First Elite Eight Since 1980

Clemson is headed somewhere it hasn't been in more than four decades. After beating No. 2 seed Arizona, 77-72, in the Sweet 16, the Tigers have advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1980. Their unlikely run has been fueled by a stingy defense that has held opponents in check through three rounds of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

Chase Hunter and PJ Hall had excellent games for Clemson Thursday night, but the entire team deserves credit for the victory thanks to the defense. Arizona entered the game ranked third nationally in points per game (87.6), ninth in offensive efficiency, 19th in three-point percentage (37.3) and 14th in field goal percentage (48.9). The Tigers turned them inside out. Arizona only hit 37.3 percent of its shots from the field, and wound up 5-of-28 from beyond the arc. That's 17.9 percent. Arizona's starting perimeter trio of Caleb Love, Pelle Larsson and Kylan Boswell combined to shoot 2-of-20 from three-point range.

If you're thinking maybe it was just an off-night for the Wildcats, Clemson seems to be causing a lot of those. The Tigers beat No. 3 seed Baylor, 72-64, in the Second Round and the Bears entered the contest ranked sixth nationally in offensive efficiency. Clemson held them 15.5 points below their season average. The Bears only hit 38.9 percent of their field goals and went 6-of-24 (25.0 percent) from three-point range. In the First Round, the Tigers dominated No. 11 seed New Mexico, 77-56, which was 25.5 points below the Lobos' season average. They also only hit 29.7 percent of their shots from the field and were 3-of-23 (13.0 percent) from three-point range.

Clemson ranks 38th nationally in defensive efficiency, so it's not like the Tigers were always some kind of juggernaut on that end end. No, this is something that has all come together during the tournament and it has been impressive. They are forcing their opponents into ugly basketball, and it's beautiful.

Brad Brownell's team was definitely not supposed to be here. Clemson opened the season 9-0 and wound up ranked as high as No. 13 in the AP poll. The Tigers proceeded to lose seven of 12 games from mid-December through early February. A big upset road win over North Carolina on February 6 showed what they were capable of and they entered the ACC tournament with the six seed and a 21-10 overall record. Then they were trounced by Boston College, 76-55, in their first game. That was a rough way to begin the postseason.

Clemson was awarded with a No. 6 seed in the NCAA tournament and responded by playing their best basketball of the year. Now the Tigers are on to the West region's final. If they bring their defense with them to that game, there is no reason they can't reach the Final Four for the first time in school history.

Ryan Phillips is a senior writer at The Big Lead.