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Clemson Edges North Carolina in ACC Quarterfinal Thriller

PUBLISHED Mar 12, 2026, 11:18 AM ET

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Clemson defeated North Carolina 80-79 in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday, holding off a late Tar Heels rally to advance to the semifinals. The fifth-seeded Tigers built an 18-point second-half lead after outlasting Wake Forest the previous night, then withstood a 25-13 UNC run that cut the margin to one in the final seconds. Nick Davidson scored 17 and Dillon Hunter made key free throws; Henri Veesaar had 28 points and 17 rebounds for North Carolina. The rematch followed a March 3 Chapel Hill meeting that UNC won 67-63. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Michael Grant | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

March 3: North Carolina defeated Clemson 67-63 in Chapel Hill, securing a double-bye tiebreaker.
March 11: Clemson beat Wake Forest 71-62 in an ACC Tournament first-round/second-round game.
March 12: Clemson and North Carolina met in the ACC quarterfinals in Charlotte.
March 12: Clemson held off a late UNC rally to win 80-79 and advance to the semifinals.
March 13: Both teams assess injuries, performances, and NCAA Tournament implications after the game.

News Intelligence

This game was a nail-biter, showing the heart and grit of both teams. If you're a fan of either Clemson or UNC, it's an emotional rollercoaster. For college basketball enthusiasts, it's a reminder of the thrilling unpredictability of March Madness. Check your brackets and prepare for more surprises.

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Articles Published:: 7
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 7

Who Benefited

Clemson University, its players and coaching staff benefited directly from the quarterfinal victory, gaining a tournament semifinal berth, improved postseason momentum, and potential advantages for NCAA Tournament seeding and program visibility.

Who Impacted

The University of North Carolina and its roster suffered an immediate setback: a one-point elimination in the ACC quarterfinals that reduced momentum and may complicate NCAA Tournament seeding and preparation.

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