Erik Bakich sat in his classroom at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, following a third straight series loss to Duke, with a simple message: this was the beginning of one amazing story.
He also added that if that kind of stretch was just a bump in the road, then so be it.
Four games later, and the Tigers' next chapter has been a very positive one.
After a sweep in Pittsburgh, Clemson took its momentum to Durham to face Virginia Tech in the second round of the ACC Tournament. All the positive ingredients that contributed to success against the Panthers resurfaced in a 6-1 victory over the Hokies, advancing the team to the quarterfinals to face North Carolina State (7 p.