Brad Brownell reacts to Clemson's impressive first half performance vs. Baylor

There’s an upset brewing in Memphis, Tennessee, as No. 6 seed Clemson enters halftime with a 35-25 lead over No. 3 Baylor in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Some lockdown defense and efficient offense helped the Tigers get off to an electric start and hold a double-digit lead heading into the break. Which led to Jon Rothstein asking Clemson head coach Brad Brownell if it were possible for his team to have played a better first half than they did.

“No, probably not,” Brownell admitted. “Especially with PJ and Ian being in foul trouble the last couple of minutes.”

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Clemson’s leading scorer P.J. Hall and leading rebounder Ian Schieffelin found themselves in foul trouble in the first half, each drawing two fouls and having to spend extended time on the bench down the stretch of the first half. As Brownell was asked how his team was able to extend their lead with his best player on the sidelines.

“Defense, we stopped stopped them. Had chances to get out and run just like right there,” Brownell said.

Brownell was referring to a buzzer-beating three-point shot from Chase Hunter to close out the half for the Tigers, marking their sixth made shot from behind the arc of the first half. As Clemson will look to hold onto their halftime lead and make their first Sweet Sixteen appearance since 2018.

Clemson advances to Sweet 16

The Tigers led for the entirety of their second-round matchup in the NCAA Tournament versus Baylor to advance to the Sweet 16, defeating the Bears 72-64 on Sunday in a statement win.

Hunter led Clemson with 20 points after scoring 21 in the first round against New Mexico, carrying the scoring load for the Tigers as the team’s leading scorer P.J. Hall faced foul trouble throughout the game. Eventually fouling out late in the second half after scoring just 11 points, his lowest scoring total since January 6 against North Carolina.

Clemson’s offense was impressive and efficient, but their defense may have been the biggest difference in their most recent tournament win. Holding the Big 12’s second-highest-scoring team that averaged 80.9 points per game this season to just 64 points. With Baylor making just 38.9% of their shots from the field and 25% of their 24 three-point shot attempts.