Clemson vs. South Carolina: The Basketball Rivalry
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The Clemson vs. South Carolina basketball rivalry is one of the most heated in the country.
Fans of both teams are passionate and intense, and the games are always hotly contested.
This season, the two teams will meet twice, with the first matchup taking place on January 9th at Clemson.
Both teams are looking to start the season off strong, and the game is sure to be a thriller.
The History of the Rivalry
Clemson and South Carolina have been bitter rivals on the basketball court for over a century. The two schools first met on the hardwood in 1911, and the rivalry has been alive and well ever since.
There is no clear-cut answer as to why the rivalry is so intense. Some say it is due to the fact that the two schools are so close in proximity, while others believe it is because of the long-standing tradition of excellence in both programs.
Whatever the reason, there is no denying that when these two teams meet on the court, it is always a heated battle.
The history of the rivalry is filled with many memorable moments. In 1961, Clemson won a thrilling overtime game against South Carolina in front of a sold-out crowd at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium. The game was so intense that South Carolina’s coach Frank McGuire had to be restrained by police after he attempted to go after a Clemson player who had fouled one of his players.
In more recent years the rivalry has been just as intense. In 2013, South Carolina ended Clemson’s 16-game Winning Streak with a dramatic come-from-behind victory in overtime. The following year, Clemson exacted revenge with a hard-fought win on South Carolina’s home court
No matter what happens on the court, one thing is for sure: when Clemson and South Carolina meet, it is always an event worth watching.
The Players to Watch
Both the Clemson Tigers and the South Carolina Gamecocks have talented rosters this season, but there are a few players who really stand out.
For Clemson, junior guard Gabe DeVoe is averaging nearly 15 points per game and is shooting over 50% from three-point range He’s been a key player for the Tigers all season and will be someone to watch in this rivalry game.
South Carolina is led by senior center Chris Silva who is averaging 13 points and 7 rebounds per game He’s a force in the paint and will be a tough matchup for Clemson’s big men
This should be a great game between two evenly matched rivals. Be sure to tune in to see who comes out on top!
The Coaches
The coaching matchup between Clemson’s Brad Brownell and South Carolina’s Frank Martin is one to watch. Martin is in his sixth season with the Gamecocks, and has a career record of 167-106. He led South Carolina to its first NCAA tournament appearance in over a decade in 2014, and has taken the team to the tournament four times overall. Brownell is in his ninth season at Clemson, and has a career record of 196-142. He took Clemson to the NCAA Tournament in 2011 and 2017.
The Fans
When it comes to college basketball there are few rivalries more heated than the one between Clemson and South Carolina The two schools are separated by just 80 miles, and their fans are some of the most passionate in the country.
Clemson and South Carolina first met on the hardwood in 1909, and they have been playing each other nearly every year since. The intensity of the rivalry has only grown over time, as both teams have become consistently competitive in recent years
The fans play a big role in making the Clemson-South Carolina rivalry so special. When the two teams meet, the stands are always packed with plenty of orange (for Clemson) and garnet (for South Carolina). The fans are loud and vocal, and they often stay after the game to give their team a standing ovation.
No matter who wins or loses, one thing is for sure: when Clemson and South Carolina meet on the basketball court it’s always a must-see event.
The Game
The Clemson Tigers and the South Carolina Gamecocks are two of the biggest rivals in college basketball The two teams have been playing each other for over 100 years, and the rivalry is only getting bigger. The game is always a huge event, and it’s always a close game
The fans are what make the rivalry so special. Both sets of fans are passionate about their team and want nothing more than to see their team come out on top. The atmosphere at the game is always electric, and it’s a great experience for both fans and players alike.
The rivalry is also special because it’s one of the few remaining true rivalries in College Basketball With so many teams switching conferences and realignment happening all the time, it’s rare to find two teams that have been playing each other for so long and that have such a intense rivalry.
No matter who you root for, the Clemson vs. South Carolina game is always an event that you won’t want to miss.
The Aftermath
On February 21, 2020, the Clemson Tigers men’s basketball team upset the South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia. The victory came as a shock to many, as it was the first time Clemson had beaten South Carolina in five years.
The game was extremely close, with Clemson leading by only two points at halftime. However, they pulled away in the second half and won by a final score of 74-64.
The win was a huge moment for Clemson basketball as they had been struggling in recent years It was also a big deal for their Head Coach Brad Brownell, who had been on the hot seat after several disappointing seasons.
Now that the dust has settled, what does this rivalry game mean for both teams going forward?
For Clemson, the win gives them some much-needed momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. They are currently sitting at 7-9 in conference play and will need to win some tough games to have any chance of making the NCAA tournament
Beating South Carolina is a good start, but they will need to build on that success in order to achieve their ultimate goal.
As for South Carolina this loss is a major setback in their quest to make the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2004. They are now just 10-7 in conference play and will likely need to win their remaining games to have any chance of dancing in March.
This rivalry game always carries extra significance, but this year it meant a lot more than usual. With both teams fighting for their postseason lives, it was clear that this was not just another game. In the end, Clemson came out on top and gave themselves a much-needed boost heading into the home stretch of the season.
The Legacy
The two schools have been playing each other in basketball since 1909, making it one of the oldest rivalries in the country. The series is currently ledger at 109-109, but Clemson has won the last four games.
The rivalry is intense, and both teams’ fans are passionate about their team’s success. The games are always highly anticipated and often sell out. The atmosphere at the games is electric, and it’s not unusual for tempers to flare.
Both teams have had their share of success over the years. Clemson has won four National Championships while South Carolina has won one. The two teams have also combined for 33 conference championships
The rivalry is more than just a basketball game it’s a battle for bragging rights between two proud states. It’s a rivalry that transcends sports and brings out the best (and sometimes worst) in everyone involved.