ACC Preview: #9 Clemson Tigers

Projected Starters
C-James Mays 6'9 215 JR- 9.2ppg 7.6rpg 1.5blk 54%FG 53%FT
PF-Julius Powell 6'7 208 SO- 5.5ppg 2.7rpg 38%FG 29%3pt
SF-K.C. Rivers 6'5 210 SO- 7.1ppg 4.8rpg 38%FG 84%FT 34%3pt
SG-Cliff Hammonds 6'3 200 JR- 10.1ppg 3.3apg 40%FG 28%3pt
PG-Vernon Hamilton 5'11 195 SR- 12.0ppg 3.0apg 45%FG 55%FT

Background
Clemson could be a sleeper in a rugged ACC. They return two double-digit scorers in the backcourt with boatloads of experience playing their positions, and a stabilizing big man in the middle to replace Akin Akinbala. The NIT was Clemson’s fate last year, where they lost in the second round in a very disappointing finish to the season. With serious recruiting handicaps compared to their competitors in the conference, taking Clemson to the top is one of the toughest jobs in college basketball.

Premiere Players
The bulk of the scoring for Clemson will come from the backcourt, where both starters return from a 7-9 ACC season. Vernon Hamilton will run the point guard for the fourth consecutive year at the school. At times he can play sloppily and account for way too many turnovers, but those numbers have gradually decreased over his career at Clemson, and he should be polished enough to prove a strength for the Tigers. Hamilton has great speed and footwork away from the ball and easily sets himself up for good looks, a big reason why he was one of the three players to score 12 PPG last year. The other returning starter in the backcourt is Cliff Hammonds. He’s a stout defender who has proved very consistent and valuable to Clemson over the last three years. If his shooting, both from the outside and the charity stripe, can improve, Clemson is looking at one of the top starting backcourts in the ACC.

Role Players
James Mays is another defensive stud for Clemson who loves swatting shots and disrupting scoring attempts in the paint. It’s also likely he can replace the scoring lost in the frontcourt, even if his offensive game is far from complete. One thing is for sure- Mays will give Clemson a tough presence in the post not afraid of contact. Another key player for the Tigers is K.C. Rivers, who sounds like a 1950s trumpeter in New Orleans, but in reality swarms the ball on defense and finishes in 3 on 2 and 2 on 1’s better than any Clemson player. His speed was irreplaceable and he earned himself a starting position around mid-season. Off the bench will be Sam Perry, the man who lost his job to Rivers. Don’t be fooled, kids, Perry is in the mold of an NBA prospect with cat-like leaping abilities and the dunking talents to cause severe blindness. Unfortunately, he can’t handle the ball or shoot. Slight problem. The other issue for Clemson is starting forward Julius Powell, who instead of helping out with rebounding and giving Clemson another post presence, became way too akin to shooting long-range and turning the ball over.

Final Thoughts
Clemson has obvious strengths and obvious weaknesses. It’ll be difficult for Coach Oliver Purnell to replace scorer and team leader Shawan Robinson, along with the big man in the middle, Akin Akinbala, but it’s not impossible. Much of the starting five for the Clemson team heading into next season played a role in staying close with Duke in the ACC Tournament. They have the defense, the speed and the rebounding, but like Miami, the Tigers will have trouble putting points on the board.

Schedule and Projection
11/10 (N) Arkansas State- W
11/11 (N) Monmouth- W
11/12 @ Old Dominion- L
11/15 vs. Furman- W
11/17 vs. Appalachian State- W
11/21 vs. Mississippi State- L
11/24 vs. Charleston Southern- W
11/29 @ Minnesota- W
12/2 @ South Carolina- W
12/5 vs. Wofford- W
12/19 vs. Georgia Southern- W
12/23 vs. Western Carolina- W
12/28 vs. Georgia- W
12/31 vs. Georgia State- W
1/3 @ Florida State- L
1/6 vs. Georgia Tech- L
1/9 vs. NC State- W
1/13 @ Maryland- L
1/17 vs. North Carolina- L
1/20 vs. Boston College- L
1/25 @ Duke- L
1/28 vs. Virginia- L
2/3 @ Georgia Tech- L
2/7 vs. Florida State- W
2/14 @ Wake Forest- L
2/18 vs. Maryland- W
2/22 vs. Duke- W
2/24 @ Boston College- L
2/28 vs. Miami- W
3/4 @ Virginia Tech- L

Projected Record: 17-13 (5-11)