UNC Continues To Experience Growing Pains With Loss To Clemson

Similar things were expected from this year’s bunch. They were a top-10 team in the preseason and loaded up their non-conference schedule with tough games as if they were already an experienced bunch. Ed Davis and Deon Thompson were supposed to take the next step and properly replace Tyler Hansbrough, while Larry Drew was supposed to be the answer at point guard to replace Ty Lawson.

Well, so much for having a season without growing pains. Last night’s loss to Clemson was North Carolina’s fifth already this season. This loss in particular was jarring. Whenever Clemson unleashed their full-court press, the Tar Heels had that deer-in-the-headlights look that a young, overwhelmed team normally has. The end result was 25 turnovers, ten of which came from starting guards Drew and Marcus Ginyard.

Clemson, SC (Sports Network) - Trevor Booker scored 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds, as 24th-ranked Clemson used a strong first half to defeat No. 12 North Carolina, 83-64, at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Demontez Stitt contributed 20 points, while Tanner Smith finished with 14 points, six boards and five steals for the Tigers (14-3, 2-1 ACC), who had lost 10 in a row to the Tar Heels.