Brad Brownell knew Clemson’s NCAA prospects were in jeopardy in mid-January, even as his team conjured one of the most impressive winning streaks in school history. The Tigers eventually racked up victories in five consecutive games, the last three against Top 20 ACC opponents Louisville, Duke and Miami. Never before had Clemson defeated three ranked teams in a row; only Duke enjoyed a similar run this season.
As it turned out, Brownell’s fears proved well-founded. Despite finishing 10-8 in the ACC for the second time in three seasons, and enjoying that remarkable January burst, the Tigers faded from bracketologists’ ravings about soft bubbles and hard bubbles, of last four in and first four out, as the season wound down.