A lug used to construct a band clamp. The lug includes a rod receiving portion connected to a band receiving portion. The rod receiving portion has a distal portion opposite a proximal portion and a through-channel that allows a threaded rod to pass therethrough. The band receiving portion has head and tail portions and a passageway that allows the band to travel over the head and tail portions. The band receiving portion allows the band to be wrapped partway around the head portion after traveling over the head portion and thereafter to travel under both the head and tail portions. The proximal portion is closer to the passageway than the distal portion. The rod applies a tightening force directly to the band receiving portion and/or the proximal portion of the rod receiving portion. The rod does not apply the tightening force directly to the distal portion.