GETTING INSIDE

Clemson has made significant progress since coach Oliver Purnell took over the program in the 2003-04 season, including back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament in the last two seasons.

The 2008 appearance ended a 10-year NCAA drought for the Tigers, who had four NIT berths over that span.

Over the last three years, the Tigers have won 72 games, behind only North Carolina and Duke among ACC teams during that span.

“It’s amazing to me that it’s the seventh season that we’ve been here,” Purnell said. “It’s been a certainly a tremendous climb, certainly been tough in the ACC at Clemson, getting our team into the Top 25 and all that.

“But it’s been a lot of fun. Certainly, we want to continue to have fun, and certainly we want to continue that climb because we have a lot of climbing left to do.”

The Tigers return only two starters from last season’s club, but one is forward Trevor Booker, who potentially is a candidate for ACC Player of the Year. Booker is a load up front and led the conference in rebounding with 9.7 per game and shooting percentage at 57.1.

The other returning starter is junior Demontez Stitt, a two-year starter at point guard.

The Tigers lose a lot of scoring punch with the departure of K.C. Rivers and Terrence Oglesby, but look to make up for that with the return of experienced players such as David Potter, Andre Young, and Tanner Smith.

Purnell brought in arguably the best recruiting class in school history, headed by McDonald’s All-American Milton Jennings. Jennings and wingman Noel Johnson are strong candidates to work their way into the starting lineup. Booker is joined by his younger brother Devin, a 6-8 forward.

“Those guys have demonstrated they are going to compete,” Purnell said. “We need 10 or 11 deep, so they’re going to write their own story.”

NOTES, QUOTES

• Clemson’s recruiting class of G Noel Johnson, F Donte Hill, F Milton Jennings and F/C Devin Booker was rated at 11th in the nation by Scout.com and 18th by Rivals.com.

• F Trevor Booker is the ACC’s active leader with 792 rebounds and 204 blocked shots in his career. He has averaged 12.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game while making 102 consecutive starts.

• PG Demontez Stitt has averaged 3.4 assists per game over his two seasons, which includes 52 starts. He was elected the team’s Defensive Player of the Year for 2008-09.

Last Year:   23-9 overall, 9-7 in the ACC; lost in first round of NCAA Tournament.

Head Coach:   Oliver Purnell (career 373-268); seventh year at Clemson (117-77).

Quote To Note:   “I feel he is a legitimate All-American candidate and is one of the top players in a great league. He does more than just score points and pull in rebounds. He is an outstanding passer and defender, as well. He is a hard worker and an emotional leader on the court.”—Coach Oliver Purnell, on senior F Trevor Booker.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Scouting The Newcomers:   Milton Jennings, a 6-9 forward, became the first McDonald’s All-American to sign with Clemson since Sharone Wright in 1991. National recruiting services rate him a Top 30 prospect who likely will be an immediate contributor. But he isn’t the only newcomer who figures to have an impact. Devin Booker, a 6-8 forward who is the younger brother of forward Trevor Booker, and Noel Johnson, a 6-6 wing, also could step in early. Donte Hill, a 6-5 forward, will fit in with coach Oliver Purnell’s emphasis on defense.

Key Early-season Games:   The Tigers figure to coast through the early part of their schedule until running into Texas A&M on Nov. 26 at the 76 Classic in Anaheim. A victory likely would get them a match against West Virginia in the second round. The Tigers face two tough tests back-to-back to start December, with Illinois on Dec. 2 and South Carolina on Dec. 6. Both of those games are at home.

Program Direction:   The Tigers have improved each season under Oliver Purnell and have won more than 20 games in each of the last three campaigns. Early exits from NCAA play has made for disappointing finishes, but the back-to-back appearances were their first in nearly a decade. The potential exists for a run at a third consecutive NCAA berth and perhaps the Tigers’ first NCAA victory since 1997.

Probable Starting Lineup:   PG Demontez Stitt, SG Noel Johnson, F Milton Jennings, F Trevor Booker, F-C Jerai Grant.

Roster Report:  

• G Noel Johnson, from Fayetteville, Ga., originally signed with Southern California, but asked for and was granted a release after the coaching change there. He was given immediate eligibility for this season.

• F Trevor Booker is the only player who goes into the season with a starting position locked down, according to coach Oliver Purnell. Everything else is open competition, he said.