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As the road to the Final Four nears its finish line, Saturday marks the first set of Elite Eight games, with No. 6 Clemson set to face off against No. 4 Alabama as the nightcap. The Tigers secured their spot in the Elite Eight after stunning No. 2 Arizona, 77-72 on Thursday, marking their second-ever appearance at this stage of the tournament.
Alabama also clinched a spot in the Elite Eight after an exhilarating, 89-87 victory over No. 1 North Carolina, adding to the excitement of the upcoming matchup. This unexpected turn of events has sparked comparisons to the intense matchups witnessed in college football between the Tigers and Crimson Tide from 2015 to 2018.
Clemson, headed by coach Dabo Swinney, battled Alabama for three straight years in the College Football Playoff title games in an incredible clash of powerhouses. Although Alabama reigned supreme, Clemson triumphed in 2016. Yet they couldn't replicate that success, losing the other matchups.
Reflecting on this parallel, a fan on X said:
"Clemson-Alabama in the Elite 8, 🏀writers adapting the 2015-18 🏈script is an interesting creative decision."
Here is how others fans reacted on X ahead of the Elite Eight showdown:
Clemson's Elite Eight run has been stunning. Their win over Arizona was clinched by guard Chase Hunter's spectacular layup. After their victory over Arizona, CBS analyst Charles Barkley highlighted the Tigers's achievement. He gave a shoutout to Tigers football coach Dabo Swinney, acknowledging the connection.
Barkley said:
"I thought it was a pick-'em game... obviously Clemson played very well. Shoutout to Dabo Swinney."
Clemson stuns Arizona in NCAA tournament upset to advance to Elite Eight
Coach Brad Brownell's squad achieved a pivotal triumph in his 13-year tenure on Thursday. The Tigers's defense dealt a devastating blow to Arizona, denying them any field goals during a crucial 10-minute period in the second half.
Despite Arizona's efforts to stay competitive, shooting a mere 37.3% overall and a dismal 17.9% from beyond the arc, they couldn't overcome Clemson's defensive strategy.
The Tigers' triumph was a team effort, with Hunter leading the charge with 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Notably, PJ Hall contributed 17 points and eight rebounds, while Joe Girard adeptly handled Arizona's press, dishing out six assists. Ian Schiefflin's performance was also noteworthy, adding 14 points and seven rebounds, showcasing the team's depth.
Arizona struggled to regain momentum, despite tying the game twice in the second half. Forward Keshad Johnson's missed tip-in opportunities symbolized their inability to seize the lead.
Jaden Bradley attempted to rally Arizona with 18 points, but lacked support, as Caleb Love faltered with 13 points on 5-of-18 shooting, including missing all nine of his 3-point attempts.
