2014 ACC Tournament: Clemson Tigers 2014 NCAA Tournament Hopes Not Over

The Clemson Tigers are one of the college basketball teams that are on the very edge of the bubble for the 2014 NCAA Tournament, but must make a deep ACC Tournament run if they are to secure a spot in the Big Dance. The Tigers’ almost saw that all slip away as they nearly lost to the pesky Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Former Tennessee Volunteer Trae Golden went off for Georgia Tech with 23 points and single-handedly carried the team offensively at times. Clemson star K.J. McDaniels was terrible from the field and hit none of his threes, but managed to hit 10 of his free throws to lead the Tigers with 18 points. Georgia Tech managed to take it to overtime, but looked gassed after their recent overtime win over the Boston College Eagles, losing to Clemson 69 – 65.

The Tigers are no pushover team. Seven of their 11 losses have been by six points or less. Clemson legitimately has what it takes, especially if McDaniels can continue to play well, to not only get into the 2014 NCAA Tournament, but win the ACC Championship.

Now, the Tigers must take on the Duke Blue Devils in the next round of the ACC Tournament with everything on the line; Clemson must win this game to keep their 2014 NCAA Tournament hopes alive. However, they won by 13 earlier in the season and should carry that confidence with them into the game. Expect a great game between Duke and Clemson with the winner being decided by the play of McDaniels or Jabari Parker.

Taylor Sturm is a Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TSturmRS, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.