The close-shave epidemic

Clemson's lack of success in close football games has been well documented here.

Or just plain beaten to death.

By now you probably already know that the biggest reason the Tigers have fallen short of expectations over the last six seasons has been an extraordinarily poor record in close games.

My intent is not to beat you over the head with it yet again, but after Saturday's two-point loss to North Carolina in basketball someone pointed out the fact that the close-game struggles aren't confined to football.

In 2010-11, the basketball team is 1-6 in games decided by five points or less or in overtime. Take those games away, and Brad Brownell's crew is 16-2.

Last season in baseball, the Tigers were 6-11 in one-run games. Take those games away, and Jack Leggett's bunch was 39-14 (they finished 45-25).

In football last season, the Tigers were 1-5 in games decided by seven points or less or in overtime. Over the last three seasons, they are 3-13 in games decided by seven points or less ... and 19-5 in games decided by eight points or more.

In the regular re-hashings of Clemson's close-game futility in football, I've chalked it up mostly to game-day coaching. But in view of similar struggles in the two other major sports, I'm not sure.

Is it just bad luck? Something in the water? Something that's contagiously drifted from football to basketball in baseball?

At this point, I'm out of answers.

What say you?

LW