Tigers have "fought" and are seeing rewards None

CLEMSON — If anyone doubts Brad Brownell’s ability as a basketball coach, they clearly haven’t been paying attention this winter.

Clemson’s second-year head coach has squeezed the absolute most out of his team, and Saturday’s effort inside Littlejohn Coliseum was a prime example.

Facing an N.C. State team inspired and fighting for its NCAA Tournament life, the Tigers fought through late-game offensive doldrums and took a 72-69 overtime win.

It was Clemson’s fourth win in its last five games, displaying clear progress from early-season struggles.

While it would take an ACC Tournament title – and the league’s automatic bid – to make a fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament, the Tigers have demonstrated clear progress.

They defend. They care. They haven’t mailed it in. At all.

While NIT bids are disappointing to many programs, that wouldn’t be the case with this team, this year.

At 15-13, 7-7 in ACC play, Brownell’s bunch has worked itself into postseason contention, a testament to its overall resolve. After losing three games by a total of eight points in a seven-day stretch this month – a string that would break many teams’ spirit – this group stayed strong.

Saturday, senior guard Andre Young, who had crucial misses against Virginia and Maryland, nailed a pair of overtime 3-pointers, including the game-winner with 11.8 seconds to play.

You can see key growth in virtually every player on the roster, from 5-foot-9 Young to 7-foot-2 Catalin “Bobo” Baciu.

Tempestuous junior forward Milton Jennings has hit double figures in four of six games after returning from his second suspension of the season, and is playing with clear energy and excitement.

The five freshmen who play are up-and-down, and none of them have emerged as a consistent night-in, night-out contributor. But all have had their moments, and all have progressed.

Saturday, guard T.J. Sapp emerged from a deep shooting slump with a pair of 3-pointers and excellent defense. Fellow guard K.J. McDaniels flashed his athleticism, turning a Young miss into an impressive follow dunk.

Devin Coleman, Bernard Sullivan and Rod Hall have all shown their potential in various ways.

You watch this team, and get a case of the what-ifs: what if they hadn’t lost to Coastal Carolina? Or South Carolina? Or Hawaii? Or UTEP? Or Boston College? Would we be discussing bubble status right now?

But you also wonder: what can Brownell do if he has more players that fit his system of motion offense and tough defense?

The recruiting class arriving on campus next fall features a pair of top-150 players in forward Jaron Blossomgame and guard Adonis Filer. As Brownell mentioned Saturday, the Tigers will be even younger next winter, following the departures of Young, Baciu, Tanner Smith and Bryan Narcisse.

However, their potential will be outstanding.

In both years on campus, Brownell has taken teams in crisis and made them better as the season has worn on.

This time, the nation might not be taking notice, but Clemson fans certainly should be.

It is a story well worth following – this year, and beyond.

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Tigers' rise displays Brad Brownell's coaching ability