Clemson Upsets North Carolina in ACC Tournament Quarterfinals

Tigers advance to semifinals, ending possibility of Duke-UNC trilogy

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:18am

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The Clemson Tigers held on to defeat the North Carolina Tar Heels 80-79 in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday night. Clemson built a double-digit lead in the second half, but had to withstand a late North Carolina rally that saw the Tar Heels hit five straight three-pointers in the final minutes to cut the deficit to one. Clemson was able to hang on for the victory, ending the possibility of a season trilogy between Duke and North Carolina.

Why it matters

This result is significant as it prevents a highly anticipated trilogy matchup between ACC rivals Duke and North Carolina, which would have been a major draw for fans and media. Clemson's upset victory over the Tar Heels also keeps their own tournament hopes alive as they advance to the ACC semifinals.

The details

Clemson was led by a strong performance from Nick Davidson, who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Tigers shot 47% from three-point range as a team. North Carolina made a furious late comeback, cutting Clemson's lead to one point in the final seconds, but ultimately fell short as a desperation heave at the buzzer missed.

  • The game was played on Thursday, March 13, 2026 in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.
  • Clemson built its largest lead at 61-43 midway through the second half.

The players

Nick Davidson

Clemson forward who led the team with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Caleb Wilson

North Carolina freshman who was the star of the team's first meeting with Duke, hitting the game-winning shot.

Henri Veesaar

North Carolina player who sparked the team's late comeback with a three-pointer.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

Clemson will face top-seeded Duke in the ACC Tournament semifinals on Friday night.

The takeaway

Clemson's upset victory over North Carolina not only keeps their own tournament hopes alive, but also prevents a highly anticipated trilogy matchup between ACC rivals Duke and North Carolina, which would have been a major draw for fans and media.