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Clemson Critics Have Predicted A New Mexico State Win

Clemson will open play in the NCAA Tournament as a 5 seed, looking to avoid being upset by the 12th-seeded New Mexico State Aggies.

They are ranked 20th in the country, earned a double-bye in the ACC Tournament and will take a 23-9 record into the NCAA Tournament. But the Clemson Tigers are well aware some national pundits are picking them to fall in the first round to New Mexico State.

"I think the media overblows that," Brownell said.

"It's great that you tell your players that, but one hit in football, one trip down the court in basketball and nobody remembers any of those things. None of that matters. It's about playing and executing the plan."

But Brownell did admit that reminding his players of the lack of respect given to the program could help in preparation. Head football coach Dabo Swinney used an "us against the world" mentality and has ended up with three straight trips to the College Football Playoff and a national championship. So would Brownell, a close friend of Swinney, might employ similar tactics this week?

"Our guys are aware that very few people have believed in this team for months now," Brownell said.

"It's not just one game of one week. We talked about it way back when, but for us, it's more about believing in ourselves. It's us believing in who we are and what we do. We had to do that twice. We had to do that at the beginning of the season and we had to do that after Donte Grantham's injury and that's one of the reasons I'm proud of this team.

“I told our team, ‘We can be as successful as we want to be. We’re good enough. But we have to play really good basketball, because all of the teams we’re going to play right now are here for a reason. They’re good.’ ”

Clemson will meet New Mexico State in San Diego Friday night shortly before 10:00 p.m. EST.

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