Clemson vs. North Carolina Notes

Feb. 18, 2001

How Shocking an Upset?

Clemson had lost eight straight games, while North Carolina,ranked number-one in the nation, had won 18 in a row. NorthCarolina was first in the ACC standings, while Clemson was last.Clemson was coming off a 34-point loss at NC State, its largestmargin of defeat against the Pack since 1955. Clemson entered inthe game with an eight-game losing streak, its longest since1971-72 when it had a nine-game losing streak. Clemson had lost 19in a row to the nation’s number-one ranked team dating to January9, 1980, an 87-82 overtime victory against #1 Duke. Clemson was1-22 lifetime against the number-one team in the nation headinginto the contest. Clemson had been 0-10 when playing a #1 rankedNorth Carolina team. Clemson had been 0-9 against top 25 teams andhad lost 12 in a row over ranked teams dating to last year’s winover 21st ranked North Carolina State. Clemson had been 1-12 thisyear when trailing at halftime this season. The Tigers trailed35-30 at halftime of this game. It was just the third time sincethe 1952-53 season that Clemson had trailed at the half againstNorth Carolina, then came back to gain victory. Clemson had been8-20 all-time in games played on February 18th, Clemson’s worstwinning percentage of the 29 days in the month of February. MattDoherty had never lost as a player or coach to Clemson, 10-0 as aplayer, 1-0 as a coach. North Carolina shot 38.5 percent from thefield against Clemson, the Tar Heels’ worst field goal percentageof the season. Clemson entered the game allowing 47 percent fieldgoal accuracy in ACC play, seventh best in the league. NorthCarolina made just 8-26 three-point goals, including just 1-14 inthe second half. Clemson entered the game eighth in the ACC inthree-point goal percentage defense in league play (.393).

Other Items

The seven turnovers were a season low for the Tigers, in factthe first game all year Clemson did not have double figures inturnovers. Edward Scott is now 20-21 from the foul line in ACCgames this year. Scott played 34 minutes without a turnover, tiedfor the most minutes he has ever played without committing aturnover. Tony Stockman made four three-point goals and becameClemson’s freshman record holder in that area, he now has 55 forthe season. Will Solomon had 26 points in 25 minutes, the secondtime this year he has had more points than minutes played against aranked opponent. He had 31 points in 30 minutes against Seton Hallin the second game of the year. Solomon was coming off aseven-point performance at NC State, his first game out of doublefigures after a 52-game streak. Clemson outrebounded North Carolina44-41. Clemson had been outrebounded in each of the last threegames by a total of 30 rebounds. Tom Nagys amde a three-point goal,just the second three-pointer of his Clemson career. JamarMcKnight’s eight pointers were his high since he scored nine atNorth Carolina on January 17th. McKnight has 35 points against ACCteams this year and 17 are against the Tar Heels. Clemson has nowdefeated at least one top 25 team every year since the 1986-87season.