Clemson may be the center of the college football universe this weekend, but Saturday marks the start of basketball season.

Brad Brownell and the Tigers will hit the floor for their first full-sided practice of the season as everyone else is getting juiced up for the Notre Dame game.

The season opens on on Nov. 5 with an exhibition against Lenoir-Rhyne.

“We’re a little older, which is good. It’s nice to have — first time in my time as head coach that we’ve had our leading scorer back. I’ve never had my leading scorer back in every year that I’ve been at Clemson,” Brownell said, during an interview with TheClemsonInsider.

Jaron Blossomgame, last year’s leading scorer, averaged 13.1 points per game. He’ll be joined by the senior trio of Landry Nnoko, Jordan Roper and Josh Smith.

While Blossomgame and sophomore Donte Grantham are viewed as the faces of the program, Brownell is pleased with the leadership dynamic he has among the three seniors.

“Jordan Roper is a little more quiet than sometimes we’d like. (I’m) talking about that from a standpoint of a guy who’s a vocal leader,” Brownell said. “He’s kind of like Demarcus (Harrison). He’s soft-spoken at times. He will say things occassionaly. He’s a bright kid. He’s very intelligent. He’s a terrific guy, terrific kid. Good student. Pretty even-keeled, which is good.”

Brownell added, “Josh is more an emotional, vocal guy, rah rah. We need some of that. To be honest with you, you need some guys that are emotional and show how they feel, kind of get other guys going. That’s kind of his M-O.

“Landry has some of that. Landry’s been in the program and played enough as a starter and a primary player that he understands what we’re trying to do, what it takes. He’s done a really good job of kind of coaching Sidy (Djitte) and he’ll help Legend (Robertin), too, at that position. He has the respect of his teammates and the guys in our program.”

Because Clemson will play its home games at The Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, the Tigers are faced with a unique challenge this season.

“The thing that I worry about more than anything is just the wear and tear of having to travel to Greenville as many times as we have to travel. That gets old,” Brownell said. “I think we’ve got to figure out ways to try to keep them fresh, try to keep the guys energized throughout the course of this very long season.

“But there are some benefits, too. Playing up there and some different people being able to watch us and get behind the team. A lot of excitement up there, so those are all good things.”

In the weeks leading up to the start of the season, Clemson will practice in Greenville about once a week.

“I think our guys have had a good spring and summer. They’re working hard,” Brownell said.