2008 Woodie Awards
Purnell leads Tigers to ACC title game for the first time since 1962
By: Andrew Baker
Issue date: 6/13/08 Section: Sports
With 47 seconds left, Duke guard Greg Paulus hit a three to pull within two points of the Tigers. On the ensuing possession, Hammonds was fouled and made both attempts at the line to give Clemson a 73-69 lead with just 43 seconds remaining. Duke's Kyle Singler missed a three-point attempt with 30 seconds left and Sam Perry rebounded and was fouled.
Perry made one of two attempts to give Clemson a five-point lead, and it became apparent the Tigers would pull out a victory over the Blue Devils.
Both head coaches had praise for Clemson's team. "In a lot of ways it was the best game we played all year," said Purnell. "There are games you lose," said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, "and there are games when the other team wins."
The victory of over Duke set up a storybook title game for the ACC title. Clemson, a rising program that is just starting to set roots, faced off against North Carolina, likely the most prestigious basketball school in the country. The two had already met twice this season. Both games went into overtime, and UNC prevailed both times, 90-88 and 103-93. The game was the Tigers first appearance in the ACC championship game since 1962.
In the first half, the pressure defense that Clemson had used so effectively throughout the tournament forced UNC into uncharacteristic mistakes. Clemson converted 15 points off turnovers and led 39-38 at halftime.
In the second half, the Heels had an easier time breaking the press and while the Tigers had a harder time getting off shots, as North Carolina stepped up its defensive pressure. In the second half, UNC was able to best Clemson in points off turnovers and fast break points. Clemson, however, hung in as Rivers continued his great tournament with 28 points, including six three-pointers.
Clemson lost the lead for good when Wayne Ellington hit a free throw to make the score 50-49 with 15:35 left in the second half. The Tigers trailed by 13 points with 8:05 left but made a run in the closing minutes. It was spurred by Sykes tip-in to cut the lead to 11 with 7:05 left in the game.
Clemson continued to chip away at the lead. With less than two minutes left, the Tigers trailed by four but could pull no closer. After Perry's foul on an attempted steal with 41 seconds left, Ellington hit one of two free-throws to stretch the UNC lead to six. The Tiger's couldn't break the Heels in the remaining seconds and UNC won their second consecutive ACC tournament 86-81.
Purnell again gave praise to the heart of his team. "I thought our guys fought hard and played well throughout the tournament," said Purnell.
North Carolina coach Roy Williams said, "It's a great feeling for our kids and we played better this time." Williams gave Clemson credit for being a great rebounding team and being tough competition throughout the season.
Perry made one of two attempts to give Clemson a five-point lead, and it became apparent the Tigers would pull out a victory over the Blue Devils.
Both head coaches had praise for Clemson's team. "In a lot of ways it was the best game we played all year," said Purnell. "There are games you lose," said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, "and there are games when the other team wins."
The victory of over Duke set up a storybook title game for the ACC title. Clemson, a rising program that is just starting to set roots, faced off against North Carolina, likely the most prestigious basketball school in the country. The two had already met twice this season. Both games went into overtime, and UNC prevailed both times, 90-88 and 103-93. The game was the Tigers first appearance in the ACC championship game since 1962.
In the first half, the pressure defense that Clemson had used so effectively throughout the tournament forced UNC into uncharacteristic mistakes. Clemson converted 15 points off turnovers and led 39-38 at halftime.
In the second half, the Heels had an easier time breaking the press and while the Tigers had a harder time getting off shots, as North Carolina stepped up its defensive pressure. In the second half, UNC was able to best Clemson in points off turnovers and fast break points. Clemson, however, hung in as Rivers continued his great tournament with 28 points, including six three-pointers.
Clemson lost the lead for good when Wayne Ellington hit a free throw to make the score 50-49 with 15:35 left in the second half. The Tigers trailed by 13 points with 8:05 left but made a run in the closing minutes. It was spurred by Sykes tip-in to cut the lead to 11 with 7:05 left in the game.
Clemson continued to chip away at the lead. With less than two minutes left, the Tigers trailed by four but could pull no closer. After Perry's foul on an attempted steal with 41 seconds left, Ellington hit one of two free-throws to stretch the UNC lead to six. The Tiger's couldn't break the Heels in the remaining seconds and UNC won their second consecutive ACC tournament 86-81.
Purnell again gave praise to the heart of his team. "I thought our guys fought hard and played well throughout the tournament," said Purnell.
North Carolina coach Roy Williams said, "It's a great feeling for our kids and we played better this time." Williams gave Clemson credit for being a great rebounding team and being tough competition throughout the season.
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posted 9/07/08 @ 1:46 AM EST
Very good site! Best article. This would be the pattern all game, for everything Duke did, Clemson had an answer.
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