CLEMSON — Sometimes, it’s bigger than just a game.

It certainly felt that way at Littlejohn Coliseum Saturday night as 9,000 Clemson fans rose to their feet ahead of a highly anticipated matchup against No. 2 Duke to celebrate the return of legendary college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale.

Over the last three years, Vitale has battled four forms of cancer and has been through multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. As a result, he has been sidelined from basketball commentating since calling the National Championship game between UConn and San Diego State in 2023.

Saturday’s game between the Tigers and Blue Devils marked Vitale’s first game back to broadcasting since that night, and he was immediately met with Clemson fans’ best version of a warm welcome.

“Tonight, we celebrate the return of a true legend,” Clemson’s in-arena announcer Dale Golbert said as fans throughout the arena stood up and cheered.

“For over four decades, his passion, energy, and unmistakable voice have defined the game we love. After a two-year battle with cancer, he’s back where he belongs. Courtside, calling the action and inspiring us all. Welcome back to college basketball, the ACC and Clemson, the one and only Dick Vitale.”

The crowd noise swelled as an emotional Vitale waved to the student section, where he had been taking pictures and speaking with fans minutes before.

“I want to say thanks to all the people,” Vitale said later on the broadcast. “The reception here has been really off the charts. I’m sorry for being so emotional. I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here. This is like my Super Bowl.

“To be able to sit courtside and do a game, it beats the hell out of chemotherapy and radiation.”

A week before his “Super Bowl,” Vitale called Clemson head coach Brad Brownell to let him know his return to college basketball would be at Littlejohn Coliseum.

“It’s so good for college basketball, what he means to college basketball,” Brownell said of Vitale after the game. “I was a young guy watching him during his start at ESPN, and he was doing a lot of games that I didn’t pay a lot of attention to him until ESPN and him started getting into it. He’s changed college basketball for television, so to have him back where he belongs is terrific.”

Love for “Dickie V” is not limited to Brownell’s generation, however. Clemson player Chase Hunter believes he is a part of “history” by participating in the sportscaster’s return.

“The fact that he’s at our game [after] two years, it’s definitely something I think we all thought about,” the guard said. “He’s big in the college hoops world, and I’ve been watching college basketball all my life. He’s someone that I admire, so it was big to happen here.”

Hunter and the Tigers made sure to put on a show for Vitale’s return.

Clemson (19-5,11-2 ACC) rallied in the second half to take down Duke in a 77-71 upset, their fifth consecutive win over a top-five opponent.

Naturally, Clemson fans collectively rose from their seats for a second time to storm the court in celebration, making Vitale’s return to college basketball truly a ‘Super’ occasion.