ACC Countdown Preview

#5. Clemson

Games against 2009 NCAA Tournament teams: 12

Best non-conference game: Nov. 26 vs. Texas A&M (in Anaheim, CA)

Projected Starting Five:

F - Trevor Booker (Senior)

F - David Potter (Senior)

G - Noel Johnson (Freshman)

G - Tanner Smith (Sophomore)

G - Demontez Stitt (Junior)

The most puzzling offseason move in the ACC had to be Clemson sharpshooter Terrence Oglesby's decision to leave the Tigers and play in Europe. This followed a dubious exit, Oglesby getting ejected in a first round loss to Michigan in the NCAA Tournament. Make no mistake, this is a big loss for the Tigers. Oglesby had terrific range and was a threat that defenses had to pay a lot of attention to.

For a few years now, Clemson has been a good team right on the verge of being great. Oliver Purnell's squad has gone through the non-conference slate undefeated several times, only to see the team fade at the end of the year, never making a deep run in the NCAAs. So what's in store for this year? Besides losing Oglesby, dependable guard KC Rivers is gone as well. The good news is that Trevor Booker decided to come back for his senior year. Booker is a great interior player that often demands a double team.

Besides Booker and Demontez Stitt, who I think is a pretty solid player, that leaves Clemson with some guys who have been role players in the past having to step up and play big roles. The Tigers have high hopes for Noel Johnson, an incoming freshman. I think this year Clemson takes a small step back. They should be able to get off to another good start but I'm not sure they have enough inside/outside balance to win double digit games in the ACC. They should have enough to make the NCAAs yet again but it might be another first round exit.