Bracketologists’ biggest gripe: Clemson’t hadn’t notched a signature win.
The Tigers went to Notre Dame and won for the first time since 2019. But the Fighting Irish haven’t been their dominant selves this year, sitting at ninth place in the ACC.
Clemson also beat N.C. State for the first time since 2011, but it’s a similar deal with the Wolfpack; they are fourth in the conference standings but aren’t ranked in the top 25.
A win over the Blue Devils, who are now No. 12 in the Associated Press poll, dispelled some concerns about the strength of Clemson’s 19 wins. The Tigers are now 3-8 versus the highest tier of opponents, Quad 1, in the NET rankings.
Clemson itself is ranked No. 38 in the NET, which serves as one of the selection committee’s main evaluation tools. The Tigers’ male counterparts, who are considered likely to make the men’s basketball field, are also ranked No. 38 in the NET.
“We may not wow you offensively,” Poppie said, “but this group is gritty, they’re together, and there’s no doubt they’re an NCAA Tournament team. They just continue to prove it.”
Regardless of the selection committee’s ultimate verdict, this season has undoubtedly been a step forward for Poppie’s program.
The former Virginia Tech Assistant — 2-of-2 making the NCAA Tournament in his two years at Chattanooga — has improved Clemson’s ACC record from 6-12 in Year 1 to 10-6 this season. If the Tigers close out with wins at Cal and Stanford, it’ll be a complete flip.
One more victory and this will be Clemson’s first 20-win campaign since that previous NCAA Tournament team in 2019. Two more, and the Tigers will have 21 wins for the first time since 2001.
Poppie, who was signed to a contract extension earlier this month, has managed this with a roster dominated by transfers, serving as forerunners to a highly ranked recruiting class featuring McDonald’s All-American guard Trinity Jones.