ssts:sports:college:acc

Clemson Upsets UNC, Advances to Face Duke in ACC Semifinals

CHARLOTTE — In a thrilling ACC Tournament quarterfinal matchup, the Clemson Tigers defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 80-79 on Thursday night, sending shockwaves through the conference. The victory propels Clemson to a semifinal clash with top-seeded Duke on Friday evening.

A Furious Finish Couldn’t Save UNC

Despite a late surge fueled by five consecutive three-pointers, North Carolina fell just short of completing a comeback. The Tar Heels trailed by as many as 18 points in the second half before mounting a desperate rally. A final desperation heave at the buzzer failed to find the mark, sealing UNC’s fate.

Davidson Leads Clemson to Victory

Nick Davidson led the way for Clemson, delivering a double-double performance with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Tigers showcased impressive shooting from beyond the arc, connecting on 47% of their three-point attempts as a team. Henri Veesaar led UNC with 28 points.

Duke-UNC Trilogy Denied

The result eliminates the possibility of a highly anticipated third meeting between Duke and North Carolina in the ACC Tournament. A potential trilogy matchup was on the cards, but Clemson had other plans.

Key Stats and Game Details

Final Score: Clemson 80, UNC 79

Date: March 12, 2026

Location: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

Clemson Leading Scorers: Nick Davidson (14 points, 10 rebounds)

UNC Leading Scorer: Henri Veesaar (28 points)

Looking Ahead: Clemson vs. Duke

Clemson will now face a formidable challenge in Duke, the tournament’s top seed. The semifinal matchup is scheduled for Friday, March 13, at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Duke recently secured a win against Florida State in the tournament.

ACC Tournament Standings

As of March 13, 2026, the ACC standings are as follows:

Duke (30-2, 18-1 ACC)
Virginia (22-8, 15-3 ACC)
Miami (25-7, 13-5 ACC)
North Carolina (25-7, 12-6 ACC)
Clemson (24-9, 12-6 ACC)

FAQ

Q: When is the Clemson vs. Duke game?

A: Friday, March 13, 2026, at 9:30 p.m. ET.

Q: Where will the game be played?

A: Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC.

Q: What channel is the game on?

A: ESPN.

Stay tuned for further updates and analysis as the ACC Tournament progresses.

UNC Basketball Stumbles at NC State Without Key Players

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Tar Heels (20-6, 8-5 ACC) suffered a decisive 82-58 loss against the N.C. State Wolfpack on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Lenovo Center. Playing without starters Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar, UNC struggled offensively, shooting just 31% from the field and missing 25 of 30 three-point attempts.

Wolfpack Dominate in Frontcourt

N.C. State (19-8, 10-4) controlled the paint, scoring 38 points inside and capitalizing on UNC’s 12 turnovers to generate 16 points. Quadir Copeland led the Wolfpack with 20 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds, while Matt Able added 19 points and 6 rebounds.

UNC Relies on High and Stevenson

Zayden High and Jarin Stevenson were the only Tar Heels to score in double figures, contributing 13 points and 10 rebounds and 13 points and 9 rebounds, respectively. Despite their efforts, UNC couldn’t overcome N.C. State’s strong performance.

First-Half Struggles Set the Tone

UNC’s first half was particularly disastrous, trailing 42-26. The Tar Heels shot poorly, making just 8 of 32 shots, and committed 5 turnovers. N.C. State, in contrast, shot 67% from the field and made four of its first six three-point attempts.

Injury Updates: Wilson and Veesaar Out

Freshman Caleb Wilson remains out indefinitely with a fractured left hand, sustained on February 10, 2026, during a loss to Miami. Henri Veesaar was also sidelined for the game against N.C. State, listed as questionable with a lower extremity injury.

Game Details and Broadcast Information

The game took place on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. ET at Lenovo Center in Raleigh. It was broadcast on ESPN and streamed on Fubo.

Looking Ahead: UNC Basketball Schedule

UNC’s schedule continues with games against Syracuse on February 21, Louisville on February 23, and Virginia Tech on February 28. The team will then face Clemson on March 3 and Duke on March 7.

FAQ

Q: What is Caleb Wilson’s injury status?
A: Caleb Wilson is out indefinitely with a fractured left hand.

Q: Was Henri Veesaar playing in the game against NC State?
A: No, Henri Veesaar was out for the game against NC State due to a lower extremity injury.

Q: What was the final score of the UNC vs. NC State game?
A: The final score was NC State 82, UNC 58.

Q: Where can I watch UNC basketball games?
A: Games are broadcast on ESPN and can be streamed on Fubo.