Preview #9: Clemson Tigers

Last Season:  19-13, 7-9 ACC

Key Losses: Akin Akingbala, Shawan Robinson

Backcourt: Vernon Hamilton and Cliff Hammonds return to man the backcourt for Oliver Purnell.  Hamilton played brilliantly at times last season, learning how to score, while maintaining his great play on the defensive end.  Hammonds was expected to score more in his sophomore campaign, but struggled, shooting just 40% from the field and 28% from behind the arc.  On the wing, sophomore, KC Rivers will likely start, and add an athletic scorer to the Tigers.  Rivers averaged just over 7 ppg in his freshman season in just 25 minutes per game, but like Hammonds struggled shooting the ball at just 38% from the field.  Expect freshmen, David Potter and Trevor Booker, to help out on the wing as well.

Frontcourt:  In the frontcourt, Oliver Purnell will be looking for a successful return of James Mays.  Mays played well early last season averaging 9.2 ppg and 7.6 rpg in the Tigers’ first 11 games of the season.  At that point, Mays was declared academically ineligible for the 2^nd semester, and missed the remainder of the season.  Athletic sophomore, Raymond Sykes, should help down low, and may start depending on the development of a couple freshmen.  Karolis Petrukonis, who is a 6’11” 260 lb Lithuanian will get time in the middle, as will 6’9” 225 lb AJ Tyler.

Intangibles:  Vernon Hamilton showed the ability to score last season, while creating for others at the same time.  Perhaps Hamilton’s greatest asset is his ability to steal the ball, where he averaged 3.1 steals per game in conference play.
Potential Breakout Player: James Mays was starting to come into his own before being declared academically ineligible, but this season Mays will be the focus offensively in the frontcourt.

Summary:  Oliver Purnell has a team that has really bought into his coaching philosophy of defensive intensity.  If James Mays and a second big man, perhaps Petrukonis, can stabilize the interior play, the Tigers can be a NCAA tourney bound team.  Unfortunately, Clemson simply couldn’t score consistently last season in conference play, and therefore are picked to finish in the bottom half of the ACC.
Top Returning Fantasy Player: Vernon Hamilton averaged 12.1 ppg, 2.7 rpb, 3.5 apg, 3.1 apg, and 3.0 tpg in conference play last season.

Up Next: #8 Virginia Cavaliers