It’s fair to say that either of these teams got an at-large bid was surprising. UAB (22-8, 12-4 C-USA) was the regular season champion of Conference USA but laid an egg in the tournament quarterfinals in losing to East Carolina 75-70. This is the Blazers’ first NCAA Tournament bid since 2006. Their at-large bid was enhanced by a No. 31 RPI, a 10-7 record against Top 100 RPI teams and a 9-5 road record. UAB coach Mike Davis led Indiana to the 2002 national title game. The Blazers’ Aaron Johnson led the country with 7.7 assists per game and was named the C-USA Player of the Year.

Clemson (21-11, 9-7 ACC) won a huge bubble game to open the ACC Tournament against Boston College and then had North Carolina on the ropes in the semifinals before falling 92-87 in overtime. The Tigers have won four of six overall. It’s their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. Clemson has seven players on its roster with NCAA Tournament experience, including seniors Demontez Stitt and Jerai Grant at three games apiece. Stitt has averaged 12.3 points per game in three tournament games. Clemson is 8-10 all-time in NCAA Tournament games and is looking for its first win in the Big Dance since 1997.

These two schools have met twice previously but not since 2004.

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