Clemson’s Brad Brownell Reflects on Tight Loss to BYU

In a thrilling contest during the Jimmy V Classic, Clemson faced BYU at Madison Square Garden, where a dramatic finish unfolded. Clemson dominated the first half, entering halftime with a commanding 43-22 lead, having showcased their best basketball of the season. However, BYU managed to stage a spectacular comeback, ultimately defeating Clemson 67-64 with a buzzer-beater 3-pointer from Rob Wright III.

Clemson’s Early Dominance

Clemson’s performance in the first 20 minutes was nothing short of impressive. They concluded the first half on a 21-0 run, reflecting their strong offensive and defensive plays. However, the game quickly shifted in the second half as BYU ramped up its intensity.

Key Moments of the Second Half

Despite holding a 98.5% win probability at one point, Clemson struggled offensively after halftime. The Cougars reversed the momentum, outscoring the Tigers 45-21 in the final frame. BYU capitalized on Clemson’s mistakes, forcing eight turnovers while limiting the Tigers to just seven field goals.

Brad Brownell’s Insights

After the match, Clemson head coach Brad Brownell expressed pride in his players’ efforts while acknowledging the need for improvement. “We didn’t do a good enough job as a coaching staff helping our players on the offensive end,” he stated. The coach recognized BYU’s ability to adapt and conquer, praising Wright’s clutch shot that sealed the victory.

Star Performers

• Rob Wright III: Hit the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer.
• AJ Dybantsa: Achieved a career-high 28 points, dominating the second half with 22 points.

Dybantsa’s performance was crucial, especially after a slow start. His ability to find rhythm in the second half helped BYU gain the upper hand, while Clemson struggled to maintain its initial form. Brownell acknowledged the challenge of facing talented players like Dybantsa, emphasizing the need for strategic defensive adjustments.

Clemson’s Season Overview

This loss reflects a tough start to the season for Clemson, now standing at 7-3. The team has faced formidable opponents, including back-to-back defeats against top-15 teams like Alabama and BYU. Brownell highlighted the need for his team to enhance their performance against elite competition: “We’ve got to get back to the drawing board, improve on a couple of things.”

Moving forward, Clemson aims to refine their gameplay, building on their competitive spirit and resilience exhibited in challenging matchups. The Tigers remain committed to learning from these experiences as they head into the next phase of their season.