Clemson Men’s Basketball Secures Double Bye in T. Rowe Price ACC Tournament
- Charles Mays
- Feb 27
- 4 min read
Clemson Men’s Basketball kept its momentum rolling in the 2024-25 season with a dominant 83-68 victory over Notre Dame, officially locking up a double bye in the upcoming T. Rowe Price ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament. With this crucial win, the Tigers will skip directly to the quarterfinals in Charlotte, North Carolina, as they continue their pursuit of an ACC Championship. The victory pushed Clemson to an impressive 23-5 overall record (15-2 in the ACC), leaving them just a game behind Duke and tied with Louisville in the conference standings.
This season has been one for the record books, with Clemson proving itself as a legitimate ACC contender. Their athletic defense and efficient offense have been the backbone of their success, and now, with extra rest and a clearer path in the tournament, the Tigers have their sights set on the title.
Clemson 83, Notre Dame 68 – Game Recap & Key Performances
Clemson defeated Notre Dame last night, securing the double bye with a commanding 83-68 win over Notre Dame. In front of an energized crowd at Littlejohn Coliseum, the Tigers shook off an early seven-minute scoring drought and took control by halftime.
Ian Schieffelin was the night’s standout, dropping a career-high 24 points while surpassing 1,000 career points in the process. Schieffelin fueled the Tigers’ first-half surge, scoring 16 points before the break, that helped Clemson establish a 41-31 halftime lead.
Other key contributors included Viktor Lakhin, who scored 18 points, Jake Heidbreder provided a much-needed boost off the bench, hitting four threes on his way to 14 points, just shy of his season high. Jaeden Zackery rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points, helping Clemson maintain control throughout the game.
Even with Chase Hunter having a quiet night (8 points while nursing a minor calf injury), Clemson’s offense was firing on all cylinders. The Tigers shot an efficient 48% from the field, made 9-of-23 three-pointers, and dished out an impressive 23 assists on 30 made field goals while only committing four turnovers. Their balanced and unselfish style of play overwhelmed Notre Dame and showcased why Clemson is such a dangerous team heading into the tournament.
This win also marked Clemson’s 15th ACC victory, a new program record, and their 13th conference win by double digits. By securing a top-four seed in the ACC Tournament, the Tigers are set to play their first game on Thursday, March 13, with a prime opportunity to make a deep run.
Who Else Locked Up a Double Bye?
Clemson joins an elite group of that have already clinched a double bye in the ACC Tournament:
Duke (16-1 ACC) – The Blue Devils currently the No. 1 seed, Clemson is the only ACC loss Duke has.
Louisville (15-2 ACC) – The Cardinals are right behind Duke, tying Clemson with a strong conference record. Clemson fell to Louisville on the road in early January.
Clemson’s ACC Tournament Outlook
With a top-four seed locked in, Clemson’s first tournament action will come in the quarterfinals on Thursday, March 13 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte.
If Clemson makes it past the quarterfinals, a semifinal battle with Louisville could be on the horizon. Should they advance to the ACC Championship Game, a clash with top-seeded Duke seems likely. To bring home the program’s first-ever ACC Tournament title, the Tigers may need to beat Louisville and Duke on back-to-back nights, a tall task but certainly within reach given their form.
The good news? Clemson has already proven they can beat the ACC’s best. They defeated Duke at home on February 8th, and have been one of the hottest teams in the conference. Their lockdown defense has been key, holding opponents to an average of just 62 points per game in the last four outings, while their ball movement and scoring depth make them a nightmare to defend.
Can Clemson Make History?
No Clemson men’s team has ever won the ACC Tournament, making this one of the biggest opportunities in program history. To break that streak, they’ll need to stay consistent, avoid slow starts, and continue playing their brand of team-first basketball.
With their defense clicking, key players stepping up, and a favorable seeding, the Tigers are a legitimate threat to capture their first-ever ACC Championship. If they keep playing at this level, Clemson fans just might witness history in Charlotte.
Final Thoughts
Clemson’s double bye in the T. Rowe Price ACC Tournament sets them up for a deep run, and they’ve got the talent and momentum to make it happen. Their record-breaking regular season, balanced attack, and elite defense make them a force to be reckoned with. Now, it’s time to see if they can finish the job and bring home an ACC title. One thing’s for sure, this Tigers squad is ready for March Madness.
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