Clemson Can Still Collapse With the Best of Them

Just when you think Clemson has overcome its propensity for blowing games late, just when you think the team has gotten mentally tougher and smarter, and just when you start to think that the way it not only blew out Duke, but broke its spirit, well, the Tigers find a way to revert to form and lose to Florida State 65-61.

This one took some effort from Clemson. The Tigers had a 15-point lead with under nine minutes left in the game, and they were at home. The Seminoles have generally been a genearlly incosistent offense team that turns the ball over too much. Florida State does have a very good defense, though, and that helped limit the Tigers while the 'Noles went on a 23-4 run to win the game.

Toney Douglas has often been the only offense for Florida State, and he led the Seminoles with 23 points, with 12 coming in that final 9 minutes. This time Douglas had some help on the inside from center Solomon Alabi who put in 17 and had five blocks. Just as important he was grabbing rebounds. FSU dominated Clemson on the glass.

Clemson hit just 1-for-11 in that final stretch. The Tigers completely lost their confidence as Florida State was coming back and are now back to the drawing board after what should have been a statement week.