Could This Be The End For The Clemson Ofer?

I vividly remember Clemson's 1974 visit to Chapel Hill. The Tigers were down one with less than thirty seconds to go. They had the ball. But instead of Clemson getting a potential go ahead shot from stars Stan Rome, Skip Wise, or the 7'1 Tree Rollins, the Tigers lost the ball on a turnover. Jo Jo Bethea was called for palming-perhaps the last time palming was called in an ACC game for 25 years. Carolina held on 61-60.

Since that February night, Clemson and Carolina have met 29 more times in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels have won every one. A few have been close. Clemson's fine 1980 team, featuring Larry Nance, Bobby Conrad, and Raleigh's Billy Williams, played the Tar Heels to a three point game. Larry Shyatt's '03 team came within two points-that was Matt Doherty's last season in Chapel Hill. But most of the games have been one-sided.

Clemson's ACC regular season championship team of 1990 lost at the Smith Center 83-60. The '92 Tigers lost 103-69. Running against the Heels didn't work. Neither did fouling. The physical Rick Barnes Clemson team of '96-'97 committed fouls on virtually every Tar Heel shot. 10 Clemson players committed 44 fouls, finishing the game with four players. Carolina still won by 11.

Even Carolina's 8-20 team of 2002 beat Clemson 96-78.

After 52 consecutive Tar Heel wins in four different Chapel Hill venues, UNC's streak may be about to end. Carolina was quite fortunate to beat Clemson at Littlejohn Coliseum in January. While Clemson generally plays well against the light blue at home (15 wins), this Tiger team has the talent to win the road game their school has never won.

Clemson applies some of the best backcourt pressure in the ACC. K.C. Rivers, Cliff Hammonds, and company forced more than 20 turnovers with Ty Lawson in the line up (which he may not be Sunday). Clemson shoots the three ball well-its percentage is comparable to Duke's. Rivers and freshman Terrence Oglesby will have a field day if Carolina can't improve its perimeter defense. And Clemson, more than Duke, can challenge the Tar Heels inside. James Mays and Trevor Booker are among the ACC's best offensive rebounders. Booker shoots nearly 60% from the field in conference games-tops in the league.