Clemson Expected to Fall Out of Top 25 After Frustrating Week

Following a 77-55 win over California on Feb. 7, Clemson did enough to keep its No. 20 ranking last week. 

However, the Tigers' four-game winning streak came to a close against Virginia Tech on Wednesday. The unranked Hokies defeated Clemson 76-66 in front of 7,392 fans at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Following the loss, Clemson head coach Brad Brownwell said his team was outplayed by VT.

“We had a lot of guys for the first time in a long time not play well,” Brownell said, via FanSided. “Too many different guys not playing well on the same day . . . We're one of those teams that we need most of our guys to play well.”

Maybe the Tigers were too busy thinking about their next contest against Duke.

It didn't matter either way, as No. 4 Duke rocked Clemson 67-54 in front of 9,314 fans at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Saturday.

After a frustrating week for Clemson, On3 is projecting the program to drop out of the next rankings.

Clemson still should be in the running to make the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers are 20-6 overall and 10-3 in ACC play. 

Clemson has a big week ahead, traveling to play a 13-12 Wake Forest team on Wednesday before hosting 12-13 Florida State on Saturday.

The Tigers must win both to help their future seeding in the tournament.

Despite losing by 13 points to Duke, Brownwell thinks his team showed fight against a powerful ACC opponent.

“I thought we guarded about as well as we can guard them,” Brownell said, via The Clemson Insider. “I thought our kids played their tails off. I thought that we battled on it…

"It’s hard when you’re struggling that bad on offense for your defense not to just give in, and I don’t think we did.”

After Clemson plays FSU on Saturday, the team has a chance to catch its breath before hosting No. 24 on Feb. 28.

Louisville and No. 11 North Carolina (March 3) are the only ranked teams remaining on Clemson's regular season schedule. A win against both should put the Tigers back in the top 25.