Until last Saturday, the only undefeated Division I team in the country called the ACC home. But for once, that team did not have a trace of blue-of any shade-on its uniforms.
This year, neither Duke nor North Carolina could claim to be the last undefeated team standing and in first place in the ACC this late in the season-that honor belonged to Clemson.
Even though the Tigers' perfect record was dented with a loss to Maryland Jan. 13, Clemson has let the rest of the college basketball community know that it will be a force in the conference this year.
Behind No. 23 Virginia Tech and unranked Boston College, No. 19 Clemson is still tied with No. 4 North Carolina for second place in the ACC, and it boasts a better conference record than the No. 14 Blue Devils.
"Being undefeated helped us achieve short-term goals," Clemson junior forward James Mays said. "We can concentrate on long-term goals now like the NCAA Tournament."
Often a cellar dweller in the ACC, Clemson's early success has come as a surprise to some. But despite their numerous victories, the team has not been fully recognized-even with their 17-0 record, the Tigers were never ranked in the top 10.
"We have to show teams that we are for real," senior point guard Vernon Hamilton said. "We have to go out every game and prove the point that we're a team to look out for. That's how we attack."
After Maryland handed the Tigers their first loss-a 92-87 Terrapin win-Maryland head coach Gary Williams still felt that Clemson deserved more recognition than it received.
"They're a very good team," Williams said. "Mays is a force inside, and they're an outstanding offensive rebounding team. Hamilton is one of the better point guards in the ACC. [K.C.] Rivers does a great job of finding open looks. The whole team is unselfish, and I don't know how anyone could say Clemson is overrated."
Despite falling in College Park, the Tigers' hot 17-0 start has them poised to easily exceed the ninth-place finish projected at the ACC's preseason media day. Clemson, though, is not accustomed to losing, and the team is eager to bounce back.
"It hurts," said Mays, who had not experienced a loss in 28 games as Clemson won its first 11 last year before he was declared academically ineligible. "I'd rather it happen now, though. It's a tough loss, but the lesson is learned."
Mays has been a major boost for Clemson this year. After missing the second half of last season, the junior is averaging 13.4 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game. He has given the Tigers an important inside presence to complement consistent guard play.
"Having [Trevor] Booker and Mays rebounding gives them something they did not have before," said North Carolina head coach Roy Williams, whose Tar Heels will play Clemson this Saturday. "Their perimeter play has always been good."
The two biggest contributors on the perimeter have been Rivers and Hamilton. In the loss to Maryland, Hamilton became just the seventh point guard in Clemson history to reach 1,000 points.
Rivers, meanwhile, leads the team in scoring despite having come off the bench in every single game this season. The sophomore has scored in double figures every game this season and averages 15.2 points per game.
The inside-outside combination played a large role in the Tigers' unbeaten streak. With the loss to the Terrapins, however, the team has to learn how to overcome defeat for the first time.
"We're disappointed we didn't get the win," Clemson head coach Oliver Purnell said. "We have to channel that disappointment into work and practice to get ready for UNC."
And the Tigers can prove themselves even further with a win against the fourth-ranked Tar Heels. When Clemson hosts North Carolina Jan. 20, it will have more than just another conference win to play for-the Tigers will have the chance to prove they belong at the top of the ACC.
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