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Ranking Clemson's top sports moments in 2023-24 from national title to ending droughts
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- Ranking Clemson's top sports moments in 2023-24 from national title to ending droughts
CLEMSON — It was a special 2023-24 for Clemson athletics as programs captured championships and ended longtime droughts.
Clemson men's soccer captured the Tigers ' lone national championship this season, but multiple teams made strides to put themselves in a position to win a national championship next year.
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With no more games until August, here were the top five moments from Clemson athletics in the 2023-24 season:
1. Clemson baseball jumping in Cajun Cafe, advancing to NCAA super regionals
The Tigers went 3-0 in the Clemson Regional to make their first NCAA super regionals since 2010. After years of falling short, they broke through in coach Erik Bakich 's second season.
To celebrate, the Tigers let loose and leaped into the Cajun Cafe to embrace 6,000-plus fans who watched them end their 14-year drought. Although Clemson fell short in the super regional to Florida, it showed it is on the right trajectory with Bakich at the helm.
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2. Clemson basketball advancing to Elite Eight after 44-year drought
Coach Brad Brownell and the Tigers' journey to the Elite Eight was just as special as Clemson baseball. Being underdogs in each game in March Madness after a poor showing in the ACC tournament, the Tigers defeated New Mexico and Baylor in the first two rounds, then defeated Arizona in the Sweet 16 in Los Angeles.
Clemson lost to Alabama in the Elite Eight, but it was the second team in program history to reach that round. Brownell became the only coach in Tigers' history to make two Sweet 16 appearances. He accomplished it with the help of his staff and players, like NBA draft prospect PJ Hall and Chase Hunter.
MORE: Clemson basketball roster 2024-25: With Chase Hunter back, here are projected starters
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3. Clemson men's soccer winning second College Cup in three years
With its 2-1 victory over ACC foe Notre Dame in the College Cup in December, Clemson United has four national championships, the most of any program at Clemson. In five NCAA tournament games, coach Mike Noonan's team allowed only one goal while scoring nine.
Clemson men's soccer has become a juggernaut that eyes back-to-back titles in 2024.
4. Clemson football winning five straight to close 2023 season
It wasn't the ideal season for the Tigers. They started the season with a 4-4 record that led to them missing the ACC championship and the College Football Playoff for the third straight time.
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Yet, coach Dabo Swinney and his team won five consecutive games to end the season. Clemson defeated Georgia Tech and ranked Notre Dame and North Carolina at home, rival South Carolina on the road and Kentucky in the Gator Bowl.
The Tigers showed they can still be a force, which led to Swinney encouraging people to "buy stock" in his program as they eye a return to the playoffs.
5. Gymnastics taking Clemson by storm in first season
Clemson gymnastics stole the hearts of many in its inaugural season. Fans sold out each home match at Littlejohn Coliseum with more than 8,500 people attending. It had a 6-3 record, finished second in the ACC championship and made the NCAA tournament.
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Each event was a treat that included pyrotechnics, flashing lights, music, balloons and thunderous applause, while Tiger cheerleaders and dance team energized the crowd. It was a strong showing for Clemson's new sport that will be better in Year 2.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson sports 2023-24 top moments: National title to drought-enders
