These great USC, Clemson basketball teams cap Palmetto Madness in dramatic fashion

The championship game came down to this: an All-American driving to the rim with three taller, agile defenders in his path in the waning seconds of a one-point game.

How else could the tournament — a fantasy trip involving Palmetto State powerhouses — end? Could anyone want more from our fictional NCAA-style competition designed to hopefully relieve the anxiety created by the coronavirus that ground the world of sports to a halt?

Each S.C. college that has sent a team to the real-thing NCAAs got at least one representative in the 16-team flight of fancy.

And now, at the end of our Palmetto State Madness tournament, South Carolina 1970 and Clemson 1980 are the heavyweights left standing.

They’re different in one way. The Gamecocks had that New York-style, starting with coach Frank McGuire and ranging through his roster. The Tigers tilted to an in-state feel, beginning with Hemingway-bred coach Bill Foster and players from Anderson, Blenheim and Hartsville.

They’re also similar. Both feature tall, skilled front courts and a dead-eye marksman — John Roche in garnet and black and Billy Williams in orange and white — among the guards.

They played prior to the 3-point goal era, and what a treat it is to wonder what might have been. Teammates are sure Roche would have added more than five points a game to his 22.5 career scoring average, and why not? In the pros, he became the first player to make seven — seven! — 3-pointers in one quarter. And Williams? He averaged 20-plus game against ACC foes that season and had scoring range from the parking lot.

Different in ways, alike in other, including the talent to play at high levels, and they did not disappoint in the Fantasy Final.

USC-Clemson game summary

The Gamecocks started quickly with Tom Riker carrying the offensive load. With Clemson’s defense overplaying Roche, the big center scored eight quick points and set the tone for a sizzling shooting performance by both teams.

Tom Owens, who led the ACC in rebounding for three straight years, picked up his third foul midway the first half, and Clemson’s Larry Nance, a future pro all-star, capitalized on his absence en route to a 22-point performance.

But Riker and Roche kept Carolina in front, 41-34 at halftime and 56-44 with 12 minutes to play. Finished? No, the Tigers said, and Williams began to carry the scoring load. Clemson cut its deficit to 76-75 at 3:21 after consecutive baskets from Bobby Conard, Fred Gilliam and John “Moose” Campbell.

Williams made a 3-pointer and suddenly the Tigers owned an 82-80 lead with 1:38 on the clock. Bobby Cremins cashed a free throw for 82-81, then Horace Wyatt scored from underneath.

Clemson 84-81, 1:12 remaining.

As always, Carolina looked to Roche, who drove, scored and made a free throw on an old-fashioned three-point play.

Tied 84-84, 0:46 left.

With the shot-clock running down, a Carolina foul put Williams at the line. He made one. The second rimmed out.

Clemson 85-84, 0:17.

Back came the Gamecocks. Back came Roche. And now he’s driving into the teeth of the defense. He crashes into Campbell, the whistle blows and ... drive or charge? Roche, Mr. Automatic on the line with two shots to win, or Clemson ball on offensive foul with three seconds to play?

A flashback for the Tigers and Foster, to their two-point loss at Virginia in an eerily similar situation. “John Campbell was standing there growing roots though the floor with his arms straight up,” Foster said then of a Jeff Lamp-Campbell collision.

A flashback for the Gamecocks and McGuire, to their one-point squeaker over Notre Dame. “Make sure John has the ball,” McGuire said then of the decisive free throws.

So, yeah, the official called a block, Roche made both foul shots and the Gamecocks triumphed — a dramatic end to a flight of fantasy down memory lane.

No. 1 South Carolina (1970) 86, No. 2 Clemson (1980) 85

South Carolina: Tom Riker 29 points, 11 rebounds; John Roche 26 points; Tom Owens 14 points.

Clemson: Larry Nance 22 points, 7 rebounds; Billy Williams 26 points; John Campbell 13 points.

Palmetto State Madness scores, schedule

Sweet 16 scores

▪ No. 1 South Carolina (1970) 87, No. 16 Charleston Southern (1997) 64

▪ No. 9 Furman (1974) 73, No. 8 Clemson (1990) 71

▪ No. 5 College of Charleston (1997) 63, No. 12 USC Spartanburg (1982) 57

▪ No. 4 Clemson (1997) 75, No. 13 Winthrop (2020) 61

▪ No. 3 South Carolina (2017) 81, No. Coastal Carolina (1991) 69

▪ No. 6 Wofford (2019) 82, No. 11 College of Charleston (1983) 61

▪ No. 10 Winthrop (2007) 77, No. 7 South Carolina (1997) 70

▪ No. 2 Clemson (1980) 95, No. 15 South Carolina State (1998) 81

Elite Eight scores

▪ No. 1 South Carolina (1970) 91, No. 9 Furman (1974) 78

▪ No. 5 College of Charleston (1997) 66, No. 4 Clemson (1997) 65

▪ No. 3 South Carolina (2017) 71, No. 6 Wofford (2019) 66

▪ No. 2 Clemson (1980) 69, No. 10 Winthrop (2007) 63

Final Four scores

▪ No. 1 South Carolina (1970) 63, No. 5 College of Charleston (1997) 59

▪ No. 2 Clemson (1980) 80, No. 3 South Carolina (2017) 74

Championship game

▪ No. 1 South Carolina (1970) 86, No. 2 Clemson (1980) 85

This story was originally published April 7, 2020 at 9:36 AM with the headline "These great USC, Clemson basketball teams cap Palmetto Madness in dramatic fashion."