Jerai Grant scored a career-high 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and Clemson made easy work of UAB, 70-52, in the first round of the 2011 NCAA Tournament at University of Dayton Arena.
The “First Four” game was between the last two at-large programs selected in the now 68-field tourney, but the affair was completely one-sided.
The Tigers won their first NCAA Tournament game since 1997 by making 51 percent from the field and forcing 19 turnovers to win going away and earn a No. 12 seed in the East Regional, where they will play fifth-seeded West Virginia on Thursday in Tampa.
Milton Jennings netted 11 points, while Tanner Smith and Devin Booker each added 10 for Clemson (22-11), which narrowly made the field after finishing tied for fourth in a mediocre Atlantic Coast Conference.
Jamarr Sanders led UAB with 19 points, as the Blazers (22-9) did little to silence critics of their tournament-worthy resume out of the unheralded Conference USA.
Go celebrate with the Clemson fans at Shakin’ The Southland or check in with West Virginia fans at The Smoking Musket as they preview their next opponent.