Busting Brackets
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ACC Basketball: Previewing the most stacked conference in college basketball

By Kyler Proffitt

Mar 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams celebrates with his team after defeating Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the championship game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Carolina won 88-74. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams celebrates with his team after defeating Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the championship game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Carolina won 88-74. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Clemson Tigers forward Jaron Blossomgame (5) dribbles the ball around Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Marcus Georges-Hunt (3) and Tigers forward Donte Grantham (15) in the second half during day two of the ACC conference tournament at Verizon Center. The Yellow Jackets won 88-85. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Clemson Tigers forward Jaron Blossomgame (5) dribbles the ball around Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Marcus Georges-Hunt (3) and Tigers forward Donte Grantham (15) in the second half during day two of the ACC conference tournament at Verizon Center. The Yellow Jackets won 88-85. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Clemson Tigers

2015-16 record: 17-14 overall, 10-8 in ACC

Head coach: Brad Brownell

Returning players: Jaron Blossomgame, Donte Grantham, Avry Holmes, Sidy Djitte, Gabe DeVoe, Ty Hudson, Josh Smith,

Notable newcomers: Three-star F Scott Spencer, F Elijah Thomas (eligible in December, Texas A&M transfer), G Shelton Mitchell (Vanderbilt transfer), G Marcquise Reed (Robert Morris transfer)

Clemson is fairly low on this list considering the hype surrounding forward Jaron Blossomgame. But one man can’t truly propel his team to an NCAA berth. He’s got to have more pieces around him and I think Blossomgame and the Tigers do this year.

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Of course, Blossomgame is going to be the focal point of the Tigers’ offense and defense because he is one of the top two-way players in the nation.

Brad Brownell continues to have a tough time making it past a regular season upset win over a big name like Duke. In order to really prove Clemson is the real deal, he’s got to lead them to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011. If he doesn’t do it this year, he may not get to lead Clemson much longer.

Forward Donte Grantham and guard Avry Holmes are two key returnees besides Blossomgame. These two players will be crucial to the Tigers’ success this upcoming season. They also add three key transfers, Shelton Mitchell, Elijah Thomas and Marcquise Reed.

If Blossomgame turns into ‘Beast Mode’ like everyone is predicting, look for Clemson to sneak into the NCAA Tournament and wreak havoc on some teams in the early rounds. Blossomgame may very well end up as the ACC Player of the Year with some national recognition when it’s all said and done.