Clemson Tigers – #8 ACC college basketball power rankings
Published on December 12, 2012 by Scott Shirley · No CommentsClemson
Coach: Brad Bronwell (2 seasons at Clemson 38-27) Overall 205-112, 10 years
2011-12: Record 16-15 overall, 8-8 in ACC ( 7th)
Starters Returning (2) Milton Jennings, Devin Booker
Preseason Tournament: Old Spice Classic
Top Non-Conference Games: vs. Purdue, at South Carolina, vs. Arizona
Transfer In : Damarcus Harrison (eligible right away)
Last season was the first time in 5 years that the Clemson basketball team didn’t make the NCAA tournament. Now the Tigers lose 3 of their top 5 scorers from last year’s team. The good news the Tigers return their starting frontcourt, they also bring in a solid freshman class of 5 players. The bad news 11 of the 13 players on the roster are either freshman or sophomores.
Leading the way for Clemson in the frontcourt will be center Devin Booker (10.5 ppg). Booker is a very strong physical player in the middle for the Tigers. He needs to improve away from the basket. Joining him up front will be Milton Jennings (9.7 ppg). Jennings was one of the biggest recruits Clemson has got in years but so far he hasn’t really lived up to the hype, he will have one more shot to. Manning the small forward position will be K.J. McDaniels. He led the team in points and blocks per minute last season. The top option off the bench will be Bernard Sullivan (1.4 ppg). Three freshman will also get a look in Landy Nnoko, Josh Smith, and Jared Blossomgame. Blossomgame has the best chance to receive the most playing time.
The two projected starters in the backcourt were reverses last season but they do have playing experience. The point guard duties will be handled by Rod Hall(3.8 ppg). He will need more consistency this season. At shooting guard will be T.J. Sapp (3.6 ppg), he started off hot last season but his production faded as the year went on. Still, he will probably be the team’s best three point shooter. The top two options off the bench will be BYU transfer Damarucs Harrison and Devin Coleman (2.6 ppg). Also providing depth will be two freshman point guards in Adonis Filer and Jordan Roper.
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