In a compelling first-round matchup of the NCAA Tournament, the #6 seed Clemson Tigers demonstrated their dominance over the #11 seed New Mexico Lobos, securing a 77-56 victory. Chase Hunter spearheaded the Clemson offense with 21 points, effectively ending New Mexico’s aspirations to replicate the Mountain West Conference’s success in March Madness. This game, highly anticipated as a potential upset in favor of New Mexico, saw Clemson control the narrative from tip-off, leaving no doubt about their superior performance on the court.
Clemson (22-11) entered the tournament as the sixth seed, facing a New Mexico Lobos (26-10) team that arrived as Mountain West Tournament champions and a trendy pick to mirror San Diego State’s Final Four run from the previous year. Despite being favored by 2.5 points, the Lobos were unable to overcome a determined Clemson squad. Hunter emphasized their focus amidst external predictions, stating, “We heard a lot of talk about that New Mexico was going to beat us, but we were just focused on us.” This focus translated into a fiery start and relentless intensity that New Mexico couldn’t match.
Image alt text: Clemson guard Chase Hunter drives to the basket against New Mexico during the NCAA Tournament first-round game.
The Clemson Tigers showcased a masterclass in both offensive execution and defensive lockdown. They established a commanding 19-point lead in the first half and extended it to 23 in the second, effectively silencing any comeback attempts from the Lobos. New Mexico struggled immensely against Clemson’s defense, recording their worst shooting performance of the season at a mere 29.7% from the field and a dismal 13% (3 of 23) from beyond the arc.
Coach Brad Brownell highlighted Clemson’s strategic approach to limit New Mexico’s penetration to the basket. This defensive strategy proved highly successful, as Clemson outscored New Mexico 38-28 in the paint. “We were able to play the game the way we wanted to play it,” Brownell commented. “Getting off to a good start was extremely helpful as well.” The early lead allowed Clemson to dictate the tempo and maintain control throughout the contest.
Image alt text: Clemson head coach Brad Brownell instructs his team during a timeout in the NCAA Tournament game against the New Mexico Lobos.
On the opposite bench, New Mexico coach Richard Pitino lamented his team’s shooting woes. “Certainly the wrong day to go cold,” Pitino stated, acknowledging Clemson’s defensive impact. “We just couldn’t make a shot. Clemson had a lot to do with that. They’re big, they’re disciplined.” The Lobos, who typically shoot at a 46% clip, couldn’t find their rhythm against a well-prepared Clemson defense.
While Chase Hunter led Clemson in scoring, Ian Schieffelin contributed a robust 16 points and 12 rebounds, showcasing his all-around impact. PJ Hall also added 14 points for the Tigers, despite navigating foul trouble. For New Mexico, Jamal Mashburn Jr., who followed Pitino from Minnesota, scored the Lobos’ opening basket, briefly giving them the lead. However, he struggled for the remainder of the game, missing his final 10 shots and finishing with just six points. Jaelen House, New Mexico’s leading scorer, fouled out with 12 points, and Nelly Junior Joseph matched that with 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Lobos.
Image alt text: New Mexico’s Jaelen House attempts a layup while defended by Clemson during their NCAA Tournament matchup.
The game witnessed an initial exchange of baskets, with Schieffelin tying the score and Hunter putting Clemson ahead early. After New Mexico briefly tied it again at 4-4, Clemson surged ahead with a decisive 19-2 run, establishing a 30-11 advantage. Although the Lobos managed to narrow the gap to 38-28 before halftime, Clemson consistently responded to any hint of a New Mexico rally.
Big Picture Implications for New Mexico and Clemson
For New Mexico, this loss marks another chapter of NCAA Tournament frustration. Despite being favored and carrying the hopes of being this year’s Cinderella story from the Mountain West, their tournament drought continues. This was their 16th tournament appearance and first since 2014, but they remain with only eight all-time wins, the last dating back to 2012. Their shooting struggles in this crucial game highlighted the challenges of tournament play.
Clemson, on the other hand, broke a significant barrier with this victory. Having entered the tournament on a shaky run of losing three of their last four games, this win marks their first NCAA Tournament triumph since 2018. The Tigers displayed superior teamwork with a 16-6 advantage in assists and capitalized on New Mexico’s errors, scoring 19 points off turnovers compared to New Mexico’s 6.
Looking Ahead
Clemson advances to the second round to face #3 seed Baylor, who convincingly defeated #14 seed Colgate. This upcoming game will be a test for Clemson as they aim to reach the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2018. For the Clemson Tigers, this victory over New Mexico is a statement win, demonstrating their capability to perform under pressure and advance deeper into the NCAA Tournament.
AP March Madness bracket and coverage are available for further updates on the tournament.
