3:13 p.m.-  Clemson has failed in their bid for that elusive ACC championship falling to Carolina today at Bobcats Arena.  Certainly some things for the Tigers to build on as they look forward to next weeks NCAA tournament.  Too much Ellington, Lawson and Hansbrough today though.  They must have felt like they were playing in the Smith Center at times.

3:05 p.m.- The two most critical rebounds of this game have been by the little guy Ty Lawson.  Looks like the Tigers will have to wait another year for their 1st ACC Championship.  25.5 seconds to go.  Carolina up 7 84-77.

2:53 p.m.-  5 point game with 3:45 to go.  carolina 77-72 over Clemson.  The Tigers are starting to hurt themselves at the free throw line.  They've had an opportunit yto close a couple times and have missed some critical free throws.  It's gonna be the death of this team at some point.  They are as talented as any team heading into next weeks NCAA tournament but this achilles heel will come back and haunt them on the grandest stage. 

2:40 p.m.- A 1 point halftime deficit has turned into a 13 point lead for Carolina with 7:46 to go in the game.  Ty Lawson has suddenly become Ty Lawson again giving the Tigers fits defensively.  Nice sign by a Carolina Fan.  "Where's speedo man today?"  Sorry my morning show partner Mike Maniscalco is back in Raleigh getting ready for Canes coverage on the new 99.9fm the fan.  Clemson better shoot better and defend better in next 4 minutes or this is over.

2:30 p.m.- Too many easy baskets off of the Clemson full court pressure.  It worked yesterday against Duke but at some point, Oliver Purnell is going to figure out that it's not working.  KC Rivers has singlehandedly kept Clemson in the game with 22 points.  Tiger fans are booing loudly as we come close to the halfway point of this championship game.  Sometimes the Tigers just get away from what they are which is a fast team.  They can not play halfcourt with the Heels and expect to win.

2:24 p.m.- Danny Greene is killing Clemson on the offensive boards which is a very surprising development.  The Tigers have taken a timeout to try and calm things down here.  55-49 Carolina with 13:48 to go 2nd half.

2:14 p.m.- You can tell the Clemson fans are growing more restless by the possession early here in the 2nd half.  The tigers have missed a couple of easy lay in's which is frustrating the Tiger fans and Tyler Hansbrough as usual serves as the villian.  By the way, can Tyler please get laser eye surgery.  Seems he loses at least 1 contact every game.  Enough already.  47-46 Heels with 15:59 to go 2nd half.  KC Rivers leads the Tigers with 17.

1:56 p.m.- Fantastic 1st half with the Tigers up 1 by a score of 39-38.  Strong play by Rivers and Booker have the Tigers right where they want to be in front of the pro-Carolina crowd.  This was an above the rim 1st half.  These teams mirror each other so much.  Great athletes, terrific ball handelers on the perimeter.  Both have it all and its no wonder they are close a tthe half.  We could be in for a fantastic finish.

1:41 p.m.- With 3:40 left in the 1st half Clemson and Carolina are staging a terrific ACC final so far.  32-31 in favor of the Heels.  The Tigers haven't been able to contain Wayne Ellington and need to get back better in transition defense.  If the Tigers continue to do damage inside, they can win this game.  I think Oliver may need me at halftime to stress this point to his team. 

1:30 p.m.- Trevor Booker just had a big time block against Carolina's Marcus Ginyard.  The Tigers have been flying to the ball in the 1st 12+ minutes of this game.  Both teams have kept a grueling pace thus far and it will be interesting to see who slows down first.  Certainly a big time game played by big time athletes.  27-25 Clemson with 7:44 to go 1st half.

1:21 p.m.- Oglesby just attempted a shot srom South Carolina.  Had to be 35 feet.  Who stepped out on him?  Tyler Hansbrough.  This after Oglesby hit 2 straight 3 pointers.  Not sure if even Oliver Purnell wants one taken from that distance.  Great up and down action so far.  Intense, exciting, both fan bases into every possession.

1:13 p.m.-  What a start.  Both teams up and down the floor early on.  Carolina has started the strongest I've seen them in 3 days.  Clemson willing to run with Heels and pund inside.  This crowd is raucous.  If Rivers plays well for Clemson, look out.  10-8 Heels with 14:59 left in the 1st half.

1:03 p.m. Seconds from tipoff here - Clemson will be the underdog, a role they've embraced thus far throughout the weekend. Interesting to see if they get rattled by the crowd or the cirsumtance.