You know those stories that refer to winning streaks by referencing the last time a particular result occurred, the price of a gallon of gas was 29 cents and you could attend a major motion picture for $2.50? Or something like that?
Yeah, this isn’t one of those. Can’t be. Because the last time Clemson beat North Carolina on the road is never.
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Yeah, never. Clemson and North Carolina have been together in the Atlantic Coast Conference since 1953, and not once in that time have the Tigers gone into Chapel Hill -- at Carmichael Auditorium, the Dean E Smith Center, wherever -- and left with a victory. And nothing about that changed Tuesday night, even though the Tigers entered having won 11 their previous 12, including victories over Miami, Ohio State, Louisville and Florida.
The Tar Heels got 21 points from graduate transfer Cameron Johnson, who was 6-of-9 from 3-point range, breaking out of an extended slump that endured since he first pulled on a UNC uniform.
“It was huge to have him come out and shoot it,” star forward Luke Maye told GoHeels.com . “We know what he does every day in practice. He shoots it great, and we just have total confidence in him to make plays.”
Coach Roy Williams called it “a weird game” because the Tar Heels (15-4, 4-2 in ACC) turned over the ball 10 times in the second half while shooting better than 60 percent, with Clemson (15-3, 4-2) making 15 of their first 16 shots after halftime.
“I’m frustrated about a lot of things,” Williams said, “but it’s a W.”
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It wasn’t really all that weird when you think about it, however. Because Clemson lost at Carolina, which is what always happens, no matter how it happens. Like in 2008, when Clemson built a lead that grew as large as 15 points and stood at 11 with 3 minutes remaining in regulation. The Tigers lost that one in double OT.
The Tigers fell behind by 15 by halftime of this one. Their hot start to the second half made it a game, but not a win. Because that never happens.
"I think we got caught up in the moment, really," guard Shelton Mitchell told the AP. "Especially with us, how we haven't won here, I think we all got caught up in the moment. ... A lot of guys didn't have a good start, so I think once we started out, we kind of got in a slump and then we dug ourselves a hole way too deep."
