TheState.com: Tigers

Clemson runs past No. 22 Virginia, 60-48

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:31 EST

Clemson got the big effort and major victory it was looking for over No. 22 Virginia. Next, the Tigers get their latest chance to make history at North Carolina.

Andre Young and Tanner Smith scored 13 points each and Devin Booker had all 10 of his points in the second half as Clemson ran past the Cavaliers, 60-48, on Tuesday night. The Tigers (13-12, 5-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) will carry a two-game win streak into Chapel Hill, where they are 0-55.

"We haven't said anything to them about it," said Clemson coach Brad Brownell, who couldn't escape a question or two about his team's upcoming challenge. "They're off tomorrow. We'll come back Thursday and formulate a plan."

Brownell certainly had a good one to handle Virginia (19-6, 6-5). The ACC's second-best scoring defense stood strong throughout, forcing 18 turnovers (Virginia gives up fewer than 12 a game) off 14 steals. Virginia was held to its second fewest points this season, behind a 47-45 loss to Virginia Tech last month.

Cavaliers star Mike Scott was held to 13 points, four fewer than his average coming in while outside threat Joe Harris was ineffective trying to play with a broken left hand.

Harris a game-time decision with broken left hand

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:43 EST

Virginia basketball coach Tony Bennett says sophomore guard Joe Harris will be a game-time decision against Clemson because of a broken left hand.

Bennett said Monday during a weekly teleconference that Harris hurt the hand during Saturday's 70-52 loss at then-No. 5 North Carolina. Harris scored eight points and played 35 minutes against the Tar Heels. He is the second-leading scorer (12.5 ppg) for No. 22 Virginia heading into Tuesday night's game at Clemson.

The injury is not on his shooting hand and Bennett said Harris could play with protective padding.

The Cavaliers are already thin off the bench as starting center Assane Sene is expected to miss several more weeks after having ankle surgery. Forward James Johnson and guard KT Harrell transferred out of the program in December.

Tigers close early

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:15 EST

The last time Clemson won at Wake Forest, former Demon Deacons great Tim Duncan was a 14-year-old living in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

To end a 22-year winless drought in Winston-Salem — and a string of close-game failures — Clemson made end-game situations a non-issue by shooting a season-best 58.2 percent in a 78-58 win Saturday.

Clemson (12-12, 4-6 ACC) recorded its first win at Lawrence-Joel Coliseum since the arena’s inaugural season in 1989-90 thanks to easy transition opportunities and patient play in its half-court offense.

Tanner Smith scored a game-high 20, beginning 8-of-8 from the field, and Wake Forest (11-14, 2-9) lost its sixth straight game.

“Making shots always helps,” Clemson coach Brad Brownell said. “Tanner made those 3s and we had some transition baskets. We just played better. … We had one of those nights where we shot the ball well, and that makes everything a lot easier.”

Cancer claims former Clemson QB Anderson

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:24 EST

Former Clemson quarterback Randy Anderson died Tuesday in Houston after a long fight against cancer.

Anderson, 46, played for the Tigers from 1984-87. Clemson won ACC championships in 1986 and 1987 during his career.

Anderson was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells, in 2006, and underwent a double stem cell transplant later that year. Complications led to leukemia.

During the period in which he was undergoing his initial treatments, Anderson founded By His Stripes Ministry — a sports-centered Christian outreach project — and remained active in the ministry for the rest of his life.

Anderson was on campus in April when he participated in the annual alumni Son’s Game prior to the Tigers’ Orange-White spring game.

Lawmakers say no to requiring Clemson, USC to play

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:35 EST

A House subcommittee Wednesday shot down the idea of requiring the football teams of USC and Clemson to face off annually, saying it is unnecessary government intervention.

“These matters should be handled by the universities and trustees,” said. Rep. Lester Branham, D-Florence, and chairman of the subcommittee that voted 7-0 to deny the requirement.

Rep. Nathan Ballentine, R-Lexington, introduced the measure because of growing fear that recent conference realignments could one day mean the two teams would not meet -- as they have done for the past 103 consecutive years. It is the second, oldest rivalry in college football history.

“This is important to the state,” Ballentine said during the meeting. “It is something the Palmetto State could be proud of, should be proud of.”

But both universities opposed the measure, saying it’s best left to the schools themselves to set their schedules. Officials from both schools also said they cannot imagine a future scenario when they would not meet up.

Terps close out Tigers

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:16 EST

Clemson coach Brad Brownell lamented the lack of what he dubbed a “closer” earlier this week, a label he defined as a player who excels in late-game, close-game situations.

The lack of a closer continued to haunt Clemson in a 64-62 loss to Maryland on Tuesday night. The loss was Clemson’s fifth ACC loss by a margin of five points or fewer, and it was the Tigers’ first home loss to an ACC team not named North Carolina or Duke in the Brownell Era.

After a furious Clemson rally cut Maryland’s 14-point lead to three with 10.7 seconds to play, Tigers guard Andre Young was fouled taking a 3-pointer. The senior, who is shooting 88 percent from the free-throw line this season, missed two of his three free throws.

Clemson (11-12, 3-6) was then forced to foul Maryland’s sharpshooter guard, Terrell Stoglin (21.7 points per game), who made both free throws.

Maryland (14-9, 4-5) has a closer.

Tigers searching for a closer

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:38 EST

The postseason conversation is starting, but at the midpoint of the ACC season, the Clemson men’s basketball team is only eavesdropping.

“Honestly, we’re six or seven possessions away from really being in that conversation right now,” senior guard Tanner Smith said.

Clemson (11-11, 3-5 ACC) has lost its conference games by an average margin of 3.6 points. The Tigers dropped two nail-biters last week, falling by four at Virginia and by two at Virginia Tech.

Clemson stands seventh in the ACC, tied with Maryland (13-9, 3-5), which will visit Littlejohn Coliseum tonight.

“I guess it’s an important game from a standpoint of whether we are going to move up or down,” Clemson coach Brad Brownell said. “It’s more of just, it’s the next game, you want to win. … You just have a bad taste in your mouth of not winning a game. You want to feel what it’s like again to win.”

Virginia Tech holds on to beat Clemson 67-65

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:31 EST

For all the heartbreaking losses, Virginia Tech finally came out on the plus side.

Jarell Eddie scored 15 points and Dorian Finney-Smith had 12 on Saturday, and Virginia Tech squandered almost all of a big second-half lead and barely hung on to beat Clemson 67-65.

The Hokies (13-10, 2-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) led by double figures until the last four minutes when Clemson went on a 15-3 run helped by an effective full court press. The Tigers had the ball and a chance to win or tie, but missed two free throws and a shot at the buzzer to end it.

"It almost turned into a typical Tech-Clemson game," Hokies coach Seth Greenberg said of the series marked by close games. "Whoever led the whole game was going to lose. Fortunately, for us, we survived."

The victory was just the second in nine games for Tech, and the losing skid included five games they lost by four points or fewer. It also snapped a four-game home losing streak.

Tigers load up in the trenches

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:12 EST

There was no signing day drama at Clemson this year.

Unlike a year ago when Clemson signed a pair of five-star linebackers in Tony Steward and Stephone Anthony on National Signing Day, nearly all of Clemson’s 20 signees Wednesday had committed since the middle of last season.

Coach Dabo Swinney said the faxed signatures gave Clemson its first back-to-back, top 10 recruiting classes since the late 1980s under coach Danny Ford. After signing a consensus top 10 class last year, the 2012 Clemson class was ranked No. 7 in the country by ESPN, No. 13 in Rivals.com’s rankings and No. 16 by Scout.com.

Wednesday was less about sweaty-palmed moments and celebrating late additions of star power and more about filling significant needs along Clemson’s offensive and defensive fronts. Half of Clemson’s 20 signees are offensive and defensive linemen, a critical influx of talent considering Clemson graduates three starters from both fronts.

“The lines were a major area of emphasis, and we did an outstanding job filling those needs,” Swinney said. “We are going to have youth on the fronts on both sides. Nothing is set in stone (regarding the depth chart), so there will be opportunity.”

DJ Reader signs with Clemson

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:34 EST

Clemson went into National Signing Day with the potential of adding three more players to its class.

The fact the Tigers came away with only one is not a huge disappointment considering that one was one of the top defensive line prospects in the country.

Shrine Bowler DJ Reader of Greensboro, NC narrowed his decision to Clemson and Maryland, and when it came down to making the choice, he went where the pull was greatest.

“He just felt in his heart Clemson was the place for him to be,” said Reader’s coach Damon Coiro. “He had a tough choice to make, but he felt Clemson was the best fit for hm.”

And Reader should be a good fit on Clemson’s defensive line thanks to his 6-4, 306 pound body and his multiple skills.

2012 recruiting class: Confirmed Clemson signees

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:39 EST

The following list includes student-athletes whose National Letters of Intent have been received and confirmed by Clemson

Today's signings

7:04 a.m.: Chad Kelly, QB, Buffalo, N.Y.

7:36 a.m.: Germone Hopper, WR, Charlotte

8:04 a.m.: Jay Jay McCullough, TE, Fort Mill, SC

Leamon won't sign with Clemson

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:14 EST

Woodruff OL Javarius Leamon, a long time Clemson commitment, will not sign with the Tigers because of his academic status regarding freshman eligibility.

The Shrine Bowl tackle will take an official visit to SC State this coming weekend. He could sign with State and sit out the next season there and become eligible for 2013. Prep school would be another option for Leamon.

Kelly has plenty of talent and confidence

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:07 EST

Snow was falling all around Chad Kelly on a frigid Thursday night in November, but the high school quarterback was feeling only heat.

Former Clemson star C.J. Spiller and some of his Buffalo Bills teammates had come to watch Kelly in the football state semifinals at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, N.Y., a show of support for the kid they had seen countless times at their practice facility. The kid who is a consensus top 100 recruit and the nephew of Hall of Famer Jim Kelly, who quarterbacked the Bills to three AFC championship game wins on the same field.

In the most critical game of his prep career, Chad Kelly was having his worst performance. He threw three interceptions in the first half and St. Joes’s trailed its underdog opponent by a touchdown at halftime.

“I was like, ‘Wow, this is horrible’ because C.J. Spiller was there, (Bills receiver) Stevie Johnson and half the Bills’ squad was there watching me,” Kelly said, “and this was one of the worst games that I’ve ever played in my life.”

But Kelly, who will officially join the Clemson program today, didn’t hang his head. He has the Kelly gene of confidence.

Tigers’ recruiting taking a step up under Swinney

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:12 EST

When linebackers Stephone Anthony and Tony Steward chose Clemson on Signing Day last year, the Tigers’ coaches shared cheers and embraces in their Memorial Stadium offices as they watched the televised decisions cement a top-10 recruiting class.

Anthony and Steward were among the top high school players in the nation. But all college coaches know no single player is a savior, and no one recruiting class is enough to elevate a program among the elite of college football.

Clemson’s staff knows what happened last February must be repeated. On Wednesday, Clemson is projected to sign a second straight top-10 class, something the program has not done in the era of web-based recruiting services.

Entering Wednesday’s signing day, Clemson’s 2012 class is rated sixth in the country by ESPN and 10th by Rivals.com. Last year, both rated Clemson’s class at No. 8.

“One class isn’t going to do it,” said ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill. “You have to develop depth of equal caliber talent from one class to the next without a dropoff. Ultimately, the goal is to be an Alabama or an LSU, particularly on the defensive side, where when you rotate in the next group of players and there’s no drop-off in production … and that takes multiple classes of premier talent.”

SEC recruiting rule could help ACC

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:19 EST

ACC football teams could benefit on National Signing Day next week and in the future because of a recruiting rule adopted by the SEC.

Last summer, SEC presidents and chancellors unanimously passed legislation prohibiting their programs from signing more than 25 players per recruiting cycle in an attempt to curb oversigning.

ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill said several SEC coaches predict as many as 30 players per year that would have signed with SEC schools will now sign elsewhere. And where will those 30 decorated prep stars sign? Luginbill believes most will turn to the SEC’s neighbor, the ACC, which has no oversigning rule.

“This new SEC oversigning rule could create a real shift in power when you consider the caliber of player that may normally sign in the SEC,” Luginbill said. “If they no longer have room to be signed, that player is going to go somewhere. Where do you think he’s going to go? If he’s in the South, he’s going to go to the ACC. That could really aid and enhance a lot of teams that are considered to be at the forefront in the ACC, a Florida State, a Clemson, Miami and North Carolina.”

Luginbill noted the rule could be especially helpful in redistributing defensive talent.

Jennings suspended from Clemson basketball team

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:29 EST

CLEMSON – Pinewood Prep product Milton Jennings has been indefinitely suspended from the Clemson men’s basketball team due to a “failure to comply” with the team’s academic standards.

Coach Brad Brownell made the announcement Monday evening.

Jennings did not travel with the team to Charlottesville, Va. on Monday where Clemson (11-09, 3-3 ACC) will play Virginia (17-3, 4-2) today in a key ACC game.

Jennings has been up-and-down on the court during his three years at Clemson but is averaging a career-best 8.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a junior.

Jennings arrived to Clemson in 2009 as a five-star prospect and the program’ s first McDonald’s All-American since Sharone Wright signed at Clemson in 1991.

Clemson awaits news from 3 prospects

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:30 EST

SIGNING DAY is Wednesday, and there is some drama for Clemson fans.

The Tigers are at 20 commitments and are waiting on decisions from three prospects.

Linebacker Reggie Northrup of Jacksonville, Fla., made an official visit over the weekend. He has been committed to Miami but also visited Arkansas, Florida State and North Carolina. All five schools are under consideration. He will announce Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Defensive lineman DJ Reader of Greensboro, N.C., is deciding between Clemson and Maryland and will announce at noon Wednesday. The Tigers appear to be the favorite for the Shrine Bowler who also plans to play college baseball.

Defensive end JaMichael Winston of Mobile, Ala., will announce Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. He has been committed to Arkansas but is considering Clemson and Michigan State. He visited East Lansing over the weekend.

Booker, Young break Wake

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 23:50 EST

Brad Brownell has not asked his players to be something they are not.

He knows 6-foot-9 athletes with pogo sticks for legs and guard-like, ball-handling skills — McDonald’s All-American types — have not been lining up outside Littlejohn Coliseum. But the Clemson coach has expected his team to play better within its physical capabilities.

For perhaps the first time this season, Clemson reached the level of offensive efficiency Brownell has sought Saturday.

Clemson entered its 70-61 win against Wake Forest with three more turnovers than assists on the season but against Wake the Tigers enjoyed a 16-to-8 assist-to-turnover margin and a plus-7 turnover advantage.

It marked the most efficient offensive game of the season for Clemson (11-9, 3-3 ACC) in terms of ball security.

Clemson pouring money into football program

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:35 EST

When Brent Venables visited Clemson two weekends ago, he took a tour of the West Zone complex at Memorial Stadium and saw sleek offices, a spacious locker room and a state-of-art weight room. What Venables saw was a commitment to football.

When Venables agreed last week to depart traditional powerhouse Oklahoma for the same position as defensive coordinator at Clemson, it marked another example of Clemson’s interest in elevating its football program. Venables’ $800,000 per season contract ranks in the top five nationally of all assistants and nearly doubles his 2011 compensation.

Never has the commitment in compensation and infrastructure been greater in the history of Clemson football. Clemson will enter next season with its football staff combining to earn $6 million. Tens of millions of dollars were required to build the West Zone complex, where the football operations phase was completed in 2009, and the program hopes to be in a $10 million indoor practice facility by early next year. In spending and architecture, Clemson now has the look of a Southeastern Conference program.

Clemson athletics director Terry Don Phillips said the ACC title and two Atlantic Division titles since 2009 are examples of progress warranting increased commitment.

“Right now, our program is on the upswing,” Phillips said. “It’s not where, ultimately, we want it to be ... What we have to do is take advantage of our momentum.”

Clemson women’s tennis: Bek sets doubles record

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:16 EST

At Clemson, senior Josipa Bek won her 106th career doubles match, moving her ahead of Ina Hadziselimovic for the top mark in Clemson history, and the 14th-ranked Clemson women’s team downed the College of Charleston, 5-2, on Sunday.

The Tigers (2-0) are 23-1 against the Cougars (0-1).