Clemson

Could it be that Clemson is becoming a basketball school? If Oliver Purnell keeps up this pace, that may very well be the case. Consider- Clemson has won 72 games over the last three years, the highest total in school history. They have finished in the upper division of the ACC the last two years, something Clemson hasn't done since the mid-sixties. They have finished in the final AP top 25 each of the last two years, a first in school history . And, Oliver Purnell has increased his team's winning percentage each of the last 5 years, something only Bobby Cremins can claim in ACC history. These numbers confirm what Clemson fans already know- Purnell has built a program.
He will be challenged this year to continue this ascent in the league. Gone are key perimeter players K.C. Rivers and Terrence Oglesby along with the reliable Raymond Sykes. They knew the senior Rivers would be going but Oglesby's departure was a surprise. He decided to leave school early to play pro ball overseas. This leaves a huge hole on the perimeter for the Tigers to fill. This represents 55% of Clemson's offense and three starters that must be replaced.

They do have one of the best returning players in the league to lead them. Trevor Booker plays bigger than any 6'7" player in the country. He averaged a double-double in league play and figures to vie for POY honors. They do need to find him more than 10 field goal attempts per game. Point guard should be a strength with Demontez Stitt and Andre Young back. Stitt is a great penetrator who needs to improve his jump shot. Young is a reliable ball handler who can provide some solid three-point shooting. Jerai Grant had a solid summer and is a prototypical Purnell player - long, athletic and high energy on defense. The X-factor could be David Potter. He showed flashes last year and would help dramatically if he can blossom into a double figure scorer.

The freshman class is outstanding. 6'9" Milton Jennings is the First McDonalds AA at Clemson since the early 90's. Jennings has good range and should be a good complement to Booker up front. Speaking of Booker, Trevor's brother Devin joins him at Clemson. They are similar in size and he should be a solid backup for big brother. Noel Johnson was added late after having been released from his scholarship at Southern Cal. Purnell had recruited him in high school so it turned out to be a good fit. Donte Hill is the final piece of this class. He put impressive numbers in high school averaging 23 points and 14 rebounds a game. All four of these players will compete for significant minutes immediately.

While Clemson did post an excellent 23-9 record last year, they stumbled down the stretch, losing five of their last six games, including their first round ACC Tournament and NCAA tournament games. They must find a way to build into March and gain momentum. This yearÍs team will be more athletic and better defensively than last years. .However, trying to find reliable three-point shooting to replace Rivers and Oglesby will be a key. They must find a way to spread teams out on defense to give Booker room to operate. If the freshmen play as advertised, there is no reason why this team shouldn't be back in the NCAAs for a third consecutive year.

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