Brad Brownell describes the emotions behind Clemson's run to the Sweet 16

Clemson was on the cusp of an NCAA Tournament bid a year ago, only to become one of the last teams to be left out of the Big Dance. It’s made this year’s run all the sweeter.

And the Tigers have taken full advantage. With wins over New Mexico and Baylor, Clemson reached the Sweet 16.

Coach Brad Brownell can’t stop gushing about his team.

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“I just love this team. They’re really good players but they’re better people,” Brownell said. “Really proud of the culture we have in our program. Outstanding students. We do things the right way.”

Even after beating 3-seed Baylor to advance to the Sweet 16, Brownell found himself thinking about what the end of a season is like. It’s hard on both players and coaches.

Especially when your players are truly bought in and do all the little things right.

“And these guys are, they’re just fantastic to be around,” he said. “The hard part now, you saw the Baylor kids. I’m sure Scott (Drew) feels the same way about his kids, and you just get so attached. You love them. And when the season ends you know you’re not going to coach some of them. So it’s hard.”

Clemson knows it can all end on a dime, particularly if you’re not locked in at both ends of the floor. That wasn’t a problem for the Tigers during the opening weekend.

Many had New Mexico as a trendy upset pick; Clemson made that look foolish with a 77-56 win. Then it bounced Baylor.

“To be able to spend another week with them is fantastic,” Brownell said. “And then our team was one of the last two teams probably left out of the tournament last year. And that’s heartbreaking.

“So some of these guys, you want it so bad for them. You talk to them about it all year. And now they’re realizing why this is such a significant tournament and what it’s going to mean for them for the rest of their lives.”

Clemson will look to engineer another upset in the Sweet 16 when it faces 2-seed Arizona. That game will be played at 7:09 p.m. ET on Thursday night, with a broadcast on CBS.