Clemson pressured into first-round defeat

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Before tip-off Friday, Sports Illustrated writer Stewart Mandel passed the Clemson team in the depths of HSBC Arena. He wrote that the Tigers "looked like they were headed to a funeral."

Two and a half hours later, it appeared they were leaving one.

Clemson's players walked single file off the court, each either looking blankly ahead or hanging his head in bitter reflection. They had witnessed the death of their season, an 86-78 loss to Missouri, their third consecutive defeat in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

The seventh-seeded Tigers had said they liked their matchup with No. 10 seed Missouri. Both teams played a similar style. There would be no battle for tempo.

But Friday fell under the category of being careful of what you wish for.

Missouri was better at the up-temp game, a style Missouri coach Mike Anderson learned under Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson, whose mantra was "40 minutes of hell."

Missouri delivered 40 minutes of it, pushing Oliver Purnell's NCAA mark to 0-6.

"Our issues were some turnovers you can't defend," Purnell said, "points off turnovers you can't defend."

Clemson plays fast. Missouri played faster.

Missouri beat Clemson in fast-break points 22-2.

Missouri beat Clemson in points off turnovers 20-5.

Missouri had 21 assists and nine turnovers, while Clemson had 14 assists and 20 turnovers.

It was a remarkable blitz on a neutral court for two teams playing a similar style.

"Clemson, they're a pressure team," Anderson said. "I just don't think anyone presses like we do."

Missouri (23-10) played loosely and aggressively.

When the Big 12 Tigers caused a turnover, their players didn't hesitate to throw long, accurate outlet passes that often were converted into points.

They seemed indifferent to risk.

Missouri forwards Keith Ramsey and Laurence Bowers combined for 35 points on 21 field-goal attempts, beating Clemson down the court in transition for highlight-reel dunks.

"Our guys were having fun," Anderson said. "It's about energy now. It ain't the Xs and Os."

Conversely, Clemson (21-11) seemed to carry pressure - wary of errors, hesitant at times.

Earlier in the week, Clemson guard Andre Young said he felt the team carried the burden of past postseason failures to Buffalo.

Jerai Grant hinted at a mental block.

Demontez Stitt said the Tigers were frustrated at times Friday.

After picking up his fourth foul with 12:08 to play, Stitt sat out for four critical minutes. Missouri increased its margin from four points to eight with eight minutes to play.

Purnell planned to play Young and Stitt together often to place Clemson's best ball-handlers on the court. But due to foul trouble, the pair was limited to 14 minutes together.

"We talked about (mind-set) all week," said Stitt, who led Clemson with 21 points. "I believe we were loose enough. ... I think during points in the game we were having more fun than at other points of the game."

Purnell said the Tigers played hard, saying: "I felt they dealt with frustration in a positive way."

Clemson led by nine points with 9:02 to play in the first half. At the half, the score was tied at 39.

However, Clemson's first-half scoring was unsustainable due to unusually accurate 3-point shooting (8 of 13).

Clemson failed to create offense in other ways.

Star Trevor Booker was double-teamed often and didn't attempt a field goal until 5:30 remained in the first half. He finished with 11 points in his final collegiate game.

It all added up to a somber postgame locker room.

Senior guard David Potter said the loss "overshadowed" some of what he and Booker accomplished at Clemson, work that seemed unfinished.

Booker said simply, "no one wants to go home."