Clemson punched its ticket to the Elite Eight on Thursday night with an upset win over Arizona, 77-72.

The Tigers led for much of the game and were able to hold off a late charge from the Wildcats to secure the win. This marks Clemson’s first appearance in the Elite Eight since 1980.

Here are 3 takeaways from Clemson’s victory:

3-point shooting defense

Clemson’s defense has held up beautifully in the NCAA Tournament so far, and that continued on Thursday night in Los Angeles. Arizona shot just 5-of-28 from 3-point range, one of its worst performances from deep on the season.

Star guard Caleb Love had a particularly bad game, going 0-for-9 from downtown in this contest. Love scored just 13 points on 18 shots in the Wildcats’ loss.

In Clemson’s previous 2 NCAA Tournament games, its opponents New Mexico and Baylor combined to shoot just 9-of-47 from 3-point range. After adding in Arizona’s 5-of-28 performance, Clemson’s 3-point percentage defense is now at 22.7% across 3 NCAA Tournament games.

Clemson’s bigs stepped up

PJ Hall had not played well in the NCAA Tournament yet this year, but he had a great game on Thursday night vs. Arizona. He scored 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting and grabbed a team-high 8 rebounds as well.

Perhaps most importantly, Hall was physical with Arizona big Oumar Ballo. Ballo still produced 15 point and 15 rebounds, but Hall made things as difficult as possible on him. Ballo finished the game -2 on the night and went just 1-for-7 at the foul line.

It should be noted, as well, that Ian Schieffelin also had a great game. He scored 14 points, grabbed 7 rebounds and was credited with 2 steals. Schieffelin also hit a pair of huge 3-pointers and dished out 3 assists.

On the perimeter, Chase Hunter led Clemson with 18 points in this win. It was Hunter’s and-one in the final minute that sealed Clemson’s upset victory over the Wildcats.

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Looking ahead

Clemson will now feature in the Elite Eight for the first time since 1980. The Tigers have long had a struggling men’s basketball program, but are now just one win away from their first Final Four in school history.

Clemson will face the winner of North Carolina-Alabama in the Elite Eight. The Tar Heels and Tide are set to face off in Los Angeles on Thursday night.

Ironically, the Tigers have already faced and defeated both UNC and Alabama this season. Clemson earned wins in Chapel Hill and Tuscaloosa earlier this year, so it will be very familiar with whoever it faces in the Elite Eight on Saturday night.