Brad Brownell Discusses Clemson’s “Grinder” of a Win Over Georgia Tech
The final buzzer echoed through Littlejohn Coliseum, signaling the end of a brutal, back-and-forth battle between the Clemson Tigers and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The game had been a grind from start to finish, with neither team ever truly able to pull away. As the scoreboard read Clemson 72, Georgia Tech 68, the relief in the air was palpable. The Tigers had secured a hard-fought win, but they knew deep down that this one wasn’t going to be remembered for its style—it would be remembered for its grit.
After the game, Clemson head coach Brad Brownell stood at the podium in the post-game press conference, wiping the sweat from his brow. He looked worn out, as if he had been in the trenches right alongside his players, which, in many ways, he had. The win was a vital one for the Tigers, especially in the competitive ACC, but Brownell knew it hadn’t come easy.
“It was a grinder, no doubt about it,” Brownell said, his voice steady but filled with the tension of the game’s rollercoaster moments. “We didn’t execute as cleanly as we would’ve liked, and there were stretches where we just couldn’t get stops. But the key tonight was that we found a way to win when things weren’t going our way. That’s what makes this win so valuable.”
The game had been a microcosm of what Clemson’s season had been like so far—battling through adversity, fighting through the highs and lows, and constantly learning how to survive when every possession counts. Against Georgia Tech, the Tigers struggled with turnovers, missed opportunities, and lapses on defense, but they made up for it with sheer will and determination.
Georgia Tech, with their methodical offense and aggressive defense, had put Clemson on its heels early. The Yellow Jackets’ defense was suffocating, forcing the Tigers into uncomfortable situations and slowing down their fast-paced offense. Clemson’s sharpshooter, PJ Hall, was swarmed every time he touched the ball, and it was clear early on that this wasn’t going to be an easy outing.
But Brownell saw something in his team that gave him hope—resilience. As Georgia Tech threatened to pull away in the second half, Clemson’s defense stepped up. Chase Hunter had an electrifying block that shifted the momentum, while Tyson Bowers hit back-to-back clutch threes to give the Tigers just enough breathing room. The game wasn’t pretty, but it was effective.
“Chase’s block was a game-changer,” Brownell reflected. “It’s moments like that that can spark a team. It wasn’t just the block itself, but the energy it created. That’s what helped us find our rhythm.”
Still, there was no denying the struggles. Clemson committed 14 turnovers, and they shot only 65% from the free-throw line, a stat that had fans on edge as the game wound down. But when it mattered most, the Tigers executed under pressure. With 20 seconds left and a slim four-point lead, Hunter Tyson sank two clutch free throws that essentially sealed the game, sending the Clemson faithful into a roaring celebration.
“We have a lot to work on,” Brownell admitted, rubbing his temples as he reflected on the team’s performance. “But we can’t take for granted the ability to win games like this. It’s not always going to be easy, but if we can grind out wins when we don’t have our best stuff.
