Clemson got off to a tremendous start and simply seemed quicker and more talented on both ends of the court.

However, they blew a significant lead in the minutes leading up to halftime, and that momentum continued into the second half.

Clemson’s defense really started to fall apart, giving West Virginia a lot of easy lanes to the basket.

The Tigers could blame at least part of their fade on playing a game less than 48 hours before they took on the Mountaineers.

Their hearts and minds were willing, but in the end the Clemson Tigers just didn’t have enough in their legs to stay in the NCAA tournament.

Playing for the second time in less than 48 hours, the Tigers’ quick start fizzled before halftime, and a spirited effort ran out of steam in an 84-76 defeat to West Virginia in the second round of the Big Dance on Thursday in Tampa.

Clemson, the 12th seed in the East regional, were part of the NCAA’s new “First Four” set of games, beating Alabama-Birmingham on Tuesday night in Dayton. The Tigers arrived in Tampa after midnight Wednesday morning, and tipped off Thursday shortly after noon Eastern time.

Early on, the Tigers had plenty of pep in their step, building a 10-point first half lead. But the Mountaineers rallied to tie the game at 40-40 at halftime, then pulled away in the second half, leading by as many as 12 points.

Andre Young led the Tigers with 22 points. Demontez Stitt added 16 points. The Tigers finish 22-12 on the season.

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The Clemson Tigers gave North Carolina everything it wanted in the semifinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.

The reward for the Tigers’ strong showing in the ACCs and a 21-win season: a trip to Dayton on Tuesday night.

Clemson faces Alabama-Birmingham in one of the four new NCAA first-round games, pitting teams that will face each other in an attempt to get into the 64-team field that tips off later this week. With a win, the Tigers would fly to Tampa to take on West Virginia on Thursday.

Clemson won eight games in a row from mid-December to mid-January. From there, it was an up-and-down stretch through ACC play. But the Tigers finished strong, winning three of their final four regular-season games. In the ACC tourney, the Tigers blasted Boston College before falling in overtime to the No. 7-ranked Tar Heels.

UAB, the Conference USA regular-season champion, was upended in the conference quarterfinals by East Carolina. The Blazers had won seven of eight entering postseason play.

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Four of the five starters finished in double figures. Jerai Grant lead the way with 17 points and 9 rebounds.

Clemson doesn’t have one great victory this year, but they have managed to string together some wins down the stretch.

The victory allowed them to reach the 20 win mark and finish with a 9-7 record in conference play.

A win or two in the ACC tournament would do wonders for their NCAA hopes, but things look good at the moment.

Clemson opens its postseason slate on Friday in the Atlantic Coast Conference quarterfinals against Boston College.

The Tigers got to watch the opening day of the tournament from the stands, thanks to a fourth-place finish in the regular season that earned Clemson a first-round bye. The Tigers closed the regular season with victories in three of their final four games.

While the Tigers took Thursday off, the Eagles pulled past No. 12 seed Wake Forest 81-67.

The winner of Clemson/Boston College faces the winner of top-seed North Carolina and No. 9 Miami in the semifinals on Saturday.

Clemson opened February with three losses in its first five games, including consecutive defeats to North Carolina and N.C. State. But the Tigers rallied from there, winning three times in their final four games to reach the 20-win mark on the season.

The Tigers beat Miami, Wake Forest and Virginia Tech in that stretch, the only loss coming to then No. 4-ranked Duke.

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Guard Demontez Stitt lead Clemson with 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Clemson trailed Duke by just two points at halftime and kept it close all the way up until the final moments.

The Tigers simply couldn’t slow down the shooting trio of Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler and Seth Curry.

The loss leaves Clemson still searching for a big win to put on its NCAA tournament resume. They take on Virginia Tech in the season finale.

The Clemson Tigers bring a speedy, tough defense into the Meineke Car Care Bowl on New Year’s Eve in Charlotte. And the Tigers will see a very similar foe with very similar skill on defense in the matchup.

South Florida of the Big East Conference rode its strong defense to seven victories this season. The Bulls allowed just 19.5 points per game.

Clemson, meanwhile, gave up just 17.8 points per game in going 6-6. The Tigers come in ninth in the nation and first in the ACC in scoring defense, and gave up only eight touchdown by opposing offense in Clemson’s final seven games. Clemson’s four ACC losses were by a grand total of 23 points.

South Florida is one of only six schools to make a bowl appearance in every season as a BCS league member, and comes in having won four of its past six games.

Neither team features a strong offense. South Florida averaged 23.5 points per game, ranking 90th in FBS. Clemson’s offense scored 23.8 points per contest, ranking 87th.

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It was all fun and games for the Clemson Tigers on Saturday at Death Valley. Some players who don’t even sniff the field on gameday logged extensive playing time.

Facing overmatched Presbyterian in the second game of the season, the Tigers ran out to a 42-0 halftime lead and cruised to a 58-21 thrashing of the Blue Hose.

Now things get much tougher for the Tigers (2-0). Clemson, which beat North Texas 35-10 in the season opener, plays at No. 21 Auburn on Saturday. Following a bye week on Sept. 25, the Tigers welcome No. 17 Miami to Death Valley on Oct. 2.

Saturday, Clemson had no worries. Starting quarterback Kyle Parker passed for 114 yards and two touchdowns in limited duty. Reserve running back Roderick McDowell led Clemson with 85 yards rushing.

Backup quarterback Tajh Boyd also finished with a pair of touchdowns and rushed for a score. Reserve running back Daniel Barnes added 79 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown.

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Brandon Maye, a key member of the Clemson Tigers’ defense, will not be on the field for Saturday’s season opener.

Instead, he’ll spend Wednesday having minor knee surgery.

Maye, a linebacker, experienced swelling following Monday’s practice. Clemson announced Tuesday that Maye will undergo surgery Wednesday and is out of Saturday’s game against North Texas.

Maye set a school record last season with five forced fumbles. He recorded 103 tackles, helping the Tigers reach the Atlantic Coast Conference title game.

The Tigers believe Maye could be back in time for the Sept. 11 game against Presbyterian.

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