Tuesday Night, Clemson Men’s basketball survived another close game as the team continues it’s pursuit of a NCAA Tournament bid. The Tigers knocked off Miami 58-54 in front of a raucous Littlejohn crowd with a few special guests in the building. Clemson basketball great and former NBA player Sharone Wright sat behind the Tigers’ bench and was recognized during the game. The Macon, Georgia native played four seasons for Clemson and was drafted sixth overall in the 1994 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers. He also played for the Toronto Raptors during his NBA career. Also at the game was legendary Clemson football star and current Buffalo Bills’ running back C.J. Spiller, along with his family. Spiller broke and set many records at Clemson in his four years, was an all American, and was taken ninth overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by Buffalo. Spiller is currently the starting running back for the Bills. On the court, the Tigers faced a relied on defense to contain the ‘Canes. Landry Nnoko’s block with thirty eight seconds remaining in the game helped the Tigers maintain a four point lead. Nnoko had half of the Tigers’ six blocks. Miami also suffered at the free throw line, making two out of eight free throw attempts. Rod Hall lead the Tigers with fourteen points, while KJ McDaniels and Demarcus Harrison both had twelve. Guard Adonis Filer came off the bench to put up eight points before leaving in the second half with a leg injury. Coach Brownell said during the post game interview that Filer pulled a muscle in his leg and will probably be doubtful for Saturday’s game with the Pitt Panthers. The Tigers move to 10-7 in the ACC and will be playing for fifth place in the conference when they play Pitt, who also has a 10-7 record. Back on January 21, Pitt knocked off Clemson 76-43, so Clemson will be looking to get revenge on Saturday, as well as playing for a higher ACC tournament seed.
