Chase Hunter remembered the disappointment of Clemson basketball’s loss to Miami in the first meeting between ACC rivals.
Hunter was not going to allow a repeat of the first meeting in which the Hurricanes erupted for 95 points, including 60 in the second half, in a 95-82 victory over the Tigers. On Wednesday, Chase scored 20 points and Clemson excelled on both ends of the court, in a 77-60 revenge tilt between the Tigers and Hurricanes.
Save it to say, as Chase Hunter goes, so does Clemson.
On Wednesday, the Tigers trailed 57-54. With 6:09 remaining, Hunter connected on a tying three-point shot. Clemson never trailed again and outscored Miami 23-6 over the final six plus minutes. While Hunter might not have the gaudiest stats on the team, it is his production that will be of monumental importance down the home stretch of the season as Clemson looks to impress the selection committee enough to secure an NCAA Tournament bid this time around.
“When he is making shots like that, and he’s also getting by in the paint…a lot of guys can’t play at all three levels and that is significant,” said Clemson head coach Brad Brownell after Hunter’s Wednesday heroics.
Brad Brownell
Having star power and marketability certainly helps a team’s cause, and with P.J. Hall being named among the best players in the country, having Hunter in the fold to provide all-around stability is a plus for Brownell’s squad.
“It was definitely a confidence boost for us, and something that picked up our morale,” said Hunter following the win over Miami. “It was definitely big for us.”
Chase Hunter
Hunter hit five three-pointers in total against the ‘Canes, a career-high.
Hunter, a 6-foot-5 inch fifth-year senior, did all he could last season to will Clemson into March Madness. Hunter averaged 13.4 points per game a year ago and helped lead the Tigers’ frenetic charge up the ACC standings in the final weeks of the season. That, unfortunately, was not enough for a tournament bid then.
This season, Hunter has seen his point production drop slightly to 12.2 points per game, but his field goal and free throw percentages have increased making him a more well-rounded offensive player. This season saw the pendulum swing the other way for Clemson, with the Tigers starting out on fire, only to swoon at the beginning of the conference slate. Thanks in large part to Hunter, the team has reverted back to their winning ways with victories over North Carolina, Syracuse, and Miami. With March Madness in sight, this time, Hunter and the Tigers do not want to leave any doubt.
Clemson has seven games remaining, and with a record of 17-7 and 7-6 mark in ACC play. The Tigers are currently fifth in the conference standings, just one game behind Wake Forest for a top four seed in the ACC Tournament. Clemson will face the Demon Deacons again in the season’s last game.
With no more currently ranked opponents on the schedule, look for Chase Hunter to continue to surge and with his impact, for Clemson to leave the selection committee little choice but to include them in the Big Dance this time.
