Tigers host Lander in exhibition

Fans receive free admission to watch Tigers and Bearcats tip off at 7 PM in Littlejohn Coliseum.

The Clemson men’s basketball team will hold its lone public exhibition on Monday, Nov. 5 at Littlejohn Coliseum with a 7:00 PM tipoff against Lander in Littlejohn Coliseum. Admission will be free of charge to the event.

The Tigers are entering the third season under Head Coach Brad Brownell, who has coached Clemson to a 38-27 record in his two years with the program. Last season, Clemson was 16-15 overall, 8-8 in the ACC. The Tigers have had a break even record in the ACC each of the last five seasons – a record streak at Clemson.

Clemson returns two starters in seniors Devin Booker and Milton Jennings. Booker is the team’s top returning scorer (10.5 ppg) and rebounder (7.0 rpg), while Jennings averaged a career-best 9.7 points per game as a junior. The remainder of Clemson’s roster is comprised of 12 first- and second-year players – most in Clemson history since freshmen were first eligible in 1972-73.

In all, the Tigers return eight lettermen from the 2011-12 team. One of them, Devin Coleman, suffered an Achilles tear in the offseason and is out 6-8 months. K.J. McDaniels is the leading returning scorer (3.9 ppg) of the Tigers’ sophomore class, while Rod Hall and T.J. Sapp started nine games apiece as freshmen last season.

Brownell and his coaching staff also have five freshmen and a sophomore transfer from BYU in Damarcus Harrison. He played three years of high school basketball in Greenwood, SC – the home to Lander University – before finishing out his prep career at Christ School in Asheville, NC. The NCAA granted him immediate eligibility in September. Among the freshmen, ESPNU top-100 prospect Jaron Blossomgame suffered a broken leg in April and will not play Monday.

Lander was 18-9 last season as a member of the Peach Belt Conference in Division II. The Bearcats were 11-7 in the PBC, and return preseason All-PBC performer Corey Wright at point guard. Wright averaged 13.5 points and 8.1 assists per game. His assist figure led the PBC and was third nationally. He is one of four returning lettermen for Jeff Burkhamer’s team.

The regular season opens for the Tigers on Monday, Nov. 12 against Presbyterian College. Tickets are available by calling 1-800-CLEMSON or applying online through ClemsonTigers.com.