SAN DIEGO — The talk all week was how Clemson was the one five seed in the NCAA Tournament that had the potential to lose in the first round. Playing an athletic New Mexico State team, the 12th seed in the Midwest Region, that has one of the best scorers in the country in Zach Lofton and best rebounder in Jemerrio Jones, the experts said the Tigers were primed for the upset.
The experts were wrong.
Led by guards Shelton Mitchell, Gabe DeVoe and Marcquise Reed, Clemson came out and played with a chip on its shoulder Friday at the Viejas Arena at San Diego State University in San Diego.