Ayrton Oneill
On January 11, 2020, Clemson University's men's basketball team made history by defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels on the road for the first time in program history, with a score of 79-76 in overtime. This win ended a 59-game road losing streak to the Tar Heels, which included 28 losses at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, dating back to 1926. Clemson's victory was marked by a fervent comeback in the final minutes of the second half, led by Aamir Simms, who scored a team-high 20 points and made critical plays down the stretch. This historic win highlighted the resilience and determination of the Clemson Tigers, marking a memorable moment in the rivalry between the two renowned college basketball programs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of first win | 11 January 2020 |
| Score | 79-76 |
| Location | Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
| Venue | Dean E. Smith Center |
| Opponent | North Carolina Tar Heels |
| Previous record | 0-59 |
| Previous record at venue | 0-28 |
| Overtime | Yes |
| Clemson coach | Brad Brownell |
| Clemson player with most points | Aamir Simms (20) |
| UNC player with most points | Brandon Robinson (27) |
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What You'll Learn
Clemson's 2020 win at UNC
Clemson University's men's basketball team made history on January 11, 2020, by defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels on the road for the first time in program history. The Tigers pulled off a thrilling comeback in the final two minutes of the second half, forcing overtime and ultimately securing a 79-76 victory.
Clemson's win snapped a 59-game road losing streak to the Tar Heels, which was an NCAA record for the longest home winning streak against a single opponent. The Tigers' victory was especially sweet as they had come close to winning in their previous meeting, only to lose by a single point. Clemson's determination and resilience paid off, as they pulled off an incredible comeback to erase decades of futility at North Carolina.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams displaying their offensive prowess. Clemson's Aamir Simms had a stellar performance, scoring a team-high 20 points, along with eight rebounds and six assists. Simms also showcased his defensive skills, with four blocks and three steals. John Newman III added 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Tevin Mack contributed 17 points, including three 3-pointers.
Clemson's victory was a significant milestone, as it marked the first time they had beaten the Tar Heels on their home court in Chapel Hill. The win improved Clemson's record at Chapel Hill to 1-59 and overall record against UNC to 1-60. The Tigers' triumph was a testament to their hard work and perseverance, as they overcame a struggling but determined UNC team.
Clemson's historic win at UNC in 2020 will forever be etched in the annals of college basketball. It served as a turning point for the Tigers, boosting their confidence and setting them on a path to future successes.
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Clemson's previous losses at UNC
Clemson University's men's basketball team had a long history of losing to the University of North Carolina Tar Heels in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In fact, prior to their victory on January 11, 2020, Clemson had lost an NCAA record 59 consecutive away games to UNC, dating back to 1926. This included 28 straight losses at UNC's Dean E. Smith Center since it opened in January 1986.
One particularly painful loss for Clemson came in 2008. On that occasion, the Tigers held an 11-point lead at halftime, a 15-point advantage with 8:55 left in the game, and an 11-point lead with just three minutes remaining. However, the Tar Heels mounted a remarkable comeback, forcing overtime and ultimately winning 103-93 in double overtime.
Clemson came close to breaking the streak on several other occasions, but it was not until 2020 that they were finally able to pull off the upset. The Tigers' historic victory came in dramatic fashion, with Clemson erasing a 10-point deficit in the final two minutes of regulation to force overtime. Clemson's Aamir Simms was the hero of the game, hitting a game-tying three-pointer with just 3.5 seconds left in regulation and leading the team in scoring, rebounding, assists, blocked shots, and steals.
Clemson's victory ended one of the longest and most bizarre streaks in college basketball history and dealt a blow to UNC's proud basketball tradition.
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UNC's 2024 win at Clemson
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams displaying their skills and strategies. UNC, led by Coach Hubert Davis, started strong and maintained their momentum throughout the first half. However, Clemson, coached by Brad Brownell, refused to back down and mounted a fierce comeback in the second half. The Tigers' tenacity paid off, and they were able to close the gap, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
In the final minutes, UNC found themselves clinging to a narrow lead. Clemson, fueled by the determination to upset their higher-ranked opponents, dug deep and executed their plays with precision. A well-timed steal followed by a swift fast-break allowed Clemson to tie the game with just over a minute remaining. UNC called a timeout to regroup, but Clemson's defense remained steadfast, forcing UNC to commit crucial turnovers.
With the crowd on the edge of their seats, the game went down to the wire. In the final seconds, Clemson's star player sank a clutch three-pointer, putting them ahead by three points. UNC quickly advanced the ball down the court, but their last-ditch effort fell short as the buzzer sounded, sealing UNC's fate. Clemson celebrated their hard-fought victory, reveling in the satisfaction of overcoming the odds and defeating one of the top-ranked teams in the nation.
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Brad Brownell, Clemson coach
Bradley Robert Brownell, born on November 15, 1968, is an American college basketball coach at Clemson University. Brownell was named the 22nd men's basketball coach at Clemson University on April 13, 2010. Before joining Clemson, he was a coach at Wright State and UNC Wilmington.
In his first season at Wright State, Brownell led the Raiders to their first Horizon League title, defeating nationally ranked Butler. The Raiders earned the 14th seed in the West Region but lost in the first round of the 2007 NCAA tournament to Pittsburgh. Brownell remained head coach at Wright State through the 2010 season, leading the team to three straight 20-win seasons.
Brownell was named head coach at Clemson in 2010, replacing Oliver Purnell. In the 2017-2018 season, he led the Tigers to their first 20-win season since 2013-2014. The Tigers made it to the Sweet 16, where they lost to #1 seed Kansas. On July 19, 2018, Brownell and Clemson agreed to a six-year, $15 million contract extension, keeping him at the school through 2024.
On January 11, 2020, Brownell made history by leading Clemson to its first-ever victory at North Carolina. Clemson defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels on their home court, ending a 59-game losing streak against UNC dating back to 1926. This win marked Brownell's second road win over a ranked North Carolina team. The Clemson Tigers pulled off a remarkable comeback in the final two minutes of the game, winning 79-76 in overtime.
Under Brownell's guidance, Clemson has achieved notable successes, including reaching the Elite Eight in 2024, the NCAA Tournament in 2021, the Sweet 16 in 2018, and the NCAA Tournament in 2011. He has compiled a 265-189 record at Clemson, placing him first in Clemson coaching history with 265 victories. Brownell has also been recognized for his coaching achievements, being named National College Coach of the Year by Sports Illustrated following the 2017-2018 season.
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Roy Williams, UNC coach
Roy Williams is a Hall of Fame basketball coach who has achieved great success at the University of North Carolina (UNC). Williams' career in coaching began as an assistant under Dean Smith at UNC, where he spent ten years learning from one of the greatest coaches in the sport's history. In 1988, he became the head coach at the University of Kansas, leading the Jayhawks to four Final Fours and the 1991 national semifinal game, where he faced his mentor, Dean Smith.
In 2003, Williams made the difficult decision to leave Kansas and return to his alma mater, UNC, as head coach. His coaching style, which included a secondary fast break and stingy man-to-man defence, helped the Tar Heels capture the 2005 national championship with a 33-4 season record. Williams went on to lead UNC to three more national championships, with the team winning titles in 2009, 2017, and 2018.
Williams has achieved numerous accolades and milestones throughout his career. He was named America's Best College Basketball Coach by Forbes in 2009 and Coach of the Decade for the 2000s by Sporting News. He has also led his teams to deep runs in the NCAA Tournament, with four Final Four appearances and two national championship game appearances prior to his time at UNC. Williams is tied for fourth in Division I men's career coaching wins with 879 victories, a milestone he reached in 2020.
Williams' impact extends beyond the court, as he has made significant contributions to UNC and its community. He and his wife, Wanda, have donated millions of dollars to support scholarships for UNC students, including a $3 million donation in 2021. They also contributed $425,000 to the Carolina Covenant, an initiative that helps low-income students attend the university debt-free. Williams has also had a lasting influence on the lives of the young men he has coached, with many of his former players going on to successful careers in the NBA and coaching.
In summary, Roy Williams is a highly accomplished and respected basketball coach who has achieved great success at UNC. His coaching prowess, combined with his impact on the lives of his players and his contributions to the university, solidify his legacy as one of the greatest coaches of all time.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Clemson University's men's basketball team defeated the University of North Carolina Tar Heels for the first time on January 11, 2020, at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill.
Clemson won 79-76 in overtime.
Clemson lost 59 consecutive games to the Tar Heels in a streak that dated back to 1926.
Brad Brownell, who secured his 177th win as Clemson's head coach, tying Cliff Ellis for the most all-time wins by a Clemson head coach.
