Clemson in Chapel Hill? Well, the Tigers better stay home.
When Clemson plays here tomorrow for the 60th time – from Bynum Hall to the Tin Can to Woollen Gym to Blue Heaven to the Dean Dome – it will be facing quite a one-sided legacy.
While there have been some close games, Carolina’s average margin of home victory has been 19.7 points. The biggest blowout was 1994, when UNC had the best team that didn’t win it all. The defending NCAA champions captained by Eric Montross whipped Clemson by 44 points.
There have been two wins by a single point, the last one in 1974, when the fourth-ranked Heels led by Bobby Jones eked out a 61-60 victory over the stalling Cats. The following year was one of the biggest thrillers in the series history, No. 15 Carolina rallying dramatically behind freshman Phil Ford to beat the unranked but loaded Tigers with Tree Rollins and Skip Wise, 74-72.
Other close games were in 1980; 12th ranked Clemson lost to the No. 13 Tar Heels by three points. Two years later, eventual national champion and No. 2 UNC held on for a 77-72 victory in steamy Carmichael.
In 1997, Carolina was struggling early in the season with three losses in its first four ACC games. The second-ranked Tigers of Rick Barnes came to town determined to snap the streak. Dean Smith had 6-6 Vince Carter guard tiny Clemson point guard Tyrell McIntyre, and the Heels won a 61-48 street fight, punctuated by Barnes taking off his jacket and wanting to play after fouls had eliminated all but four of his players.
What a scene that was!
Clemson’s best chance seemed to be in 2002. Carolina was on its way to the infamous 8-20 season before Matt Doherty’s beleaguered team had a great game and won easily, 96-78.
And who can ever forget the epic double-overtime game in 2008? Roy Williams’ club rallied from double digits to force overtime and then won in the second extra period 103-93 behind Physco T’s 39 points.
Count on someone stepping up tomorrow to make it an even 60 and 880 for Ol’ Roy.
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