2009-10 Clemson Basketball Predictions
Written November 2, 2009 by Rock Henderson
Clemson has been an above average team the past few seasons in the ACC, but has yet to make the next step to place itself in the upper tier of the conference. Head coach Oliver Purnell hopes that this is the year that his Tiger team challenges for an ACC title in a completely wide open race. The success of this team will ride mainly on the broad shoulders of F Trevor Booker. Although considered undersized for his position in the pros, Booker plays with a huge motor and is a double/double waiting to happen. Picked by most experts to once again finish in the middle of the pack in conference, Clemson will look to claw its way into the NCAA tourney. Looking at the college basketball odds to win the NCAA tournament this season, the Tigers aren’t give much of a shot, listed at +10,000 odds.
Three point shooting was a major strength of last year’s Clemson squad. KC Rivers and G Terrence Oglesby combined to make 161 shots from beyond the arc. Rivers used up his eligibility and Oglesby opted to go play professional ball in Europe. C Raymond Sykes, known more for his long dread locks than his actual play, was the third starter to depart from the 2008-2009 team. In come four new freshman that should contribute to the program. Highly touted recruit Milton Jennings should add depth to the front court and Booker’s younger brother Devin has drawn comparisons to his older brother as they are both relentless on the glass. If you bet college basketball, your first bet is free when you sign up for a new account with Sportsbook.com and get their $20 free play bonus.
Trevor Booker is without a doubt the marquee player on this team. The senior forward averaged just over 15 ppg and almost 10 rpg. He led the ACC in field goal percentage and rebounding as a junior. Booker’s offensive game was never to write home about as most of his points came in transition or off of put backs from missed shots. Many people following the program say that he has drastically improved in that area over the summer and should reap the benefits of all the hard work. So who could step up if Booker is keyed on? Demontez Stitt might be the answer. Stitt is a scrappy guard that appeared in all 32 games last season and averaged almost 9 ppg. He has more of an all around game, but has shown flashes of being able to take over a game during important periods. The three point attempts will most likely come from G David Potter, who hit on 37% of his tries a year ago. Horace Grant’s son Jerai should see much more playing time this season in the front court and will fill the opening left by the departure of KC Rivers.
Clemson seems to always be one of those tweener programs that are hard to gauge before the start of a season. Their guards are more experienced this year and an athletic group, but they will need to find scoring help in the backcourt. Purnell prefers to play an up-tempo style while pressing after every made basket and any dead ball. He has the depth to that again this year and it is a must that they create turnovers that equate into easy buckets. Clemson is an NIT team for the second year in a row.
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One Response to “2009-10 Clemson Basketball Predictions”
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NIT? They went to the NCAA Tournament last year
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