Countdown to tipoff

By Staff Report.

Clemson tips off its final season in Littlejohn Coliseum tonight as it host Florida A&M at 7 p.m. The Tigers have won 29 straight season-openers.

 

 

 

GAME SETUP

Clemson (0-0) vs. Florida A&M (0-0)

Tipoff: 7 p.m.

Arena: Littlejohn Coliseum (10,000)

Radio: CTSN (Tony Castricone-pbp; Tim Bourret-color)

Web: ESPN3 (Don Munson-pbp; Bob Mihalic-color)

• Clemson begins its 47th and final season in Littlejohn Coliseum as we know it Friday against Florida A&M; the facility is scheduled to undergo a massive rebuild, beginning next spring.

• The Tiger program is 65-37 all-time in season openers, but has won its last 29.

• Clemson has made five of its 11 NCAA Tournament berths in seasons following appearances in the NIT.

 

SERIES HISTORY

CU Series W-L record: Clemson leads 2-0

Streak: Clemson has won both previous meetings

QUICK HITS

• Clemson opens its 2014-15 season Friday as it hosts Florida A&M for the third time, and first since the 2012-13 season.

• The Tigers have won both previous meetings. Five players on the 2014-15 roster played in the meeting two years ago, led by Jordan Roper who posted 16 points and Rod Hall who notched 10 assists.

• Florida A&M assistant coach Bruce Martin played at Clemson from 1991-95. He was a member of the famed “Slab Five” in Rick Barnes’ first season (1994-95), when Martin led the Tigers with 64 three-point goals.

• Clemson held its only public exhibition Nov. 8 against Anderson and defeated the Division-II Trojans, 62-36.

• Donte Grantham is expected to start Friday for the Tigers. Since 2006, only three freshmen have started their first career games for Clemson.

 

PROJECTED STARTERS

CLEMSON

G Rod Hall 6-1, 210 Sr. 9.7 ppg 4.0 apg

G Damarcus Harrison 6-4, 205 Sr. 7.8 ppg 2.7 rpg

F 15 Donte Grantham 6-8, 205 Fr. — —

F 5 Jaron Blossomgame 6-7, 215 RSo. 4.9 ppg 5.0 rpg

C 35 Landry Nnoko 6-10, 255 Jr. 6.5 ppg 6.2 rpg

FLORIDA A&M

G 5 Jerran Foster 5-9, 175 Jr. — —

G 4 Jermaine Ruttley 6-3, 200 Jr. — —

F 25 Jorge Rosa 6-4, 195 Fr. — —

F 33 Emanuel Pellot 6-9, 230 Jr. — —

C 15 Mario Karailiev 6-9, 230 So. — —