Men’s Basketball Plays Host to Johnson C. Smith in Exhibition Game Saturday

Nov. 2, 2005

The Clemson men’s basketball team will play host to Johnson C. Smith University in an exhibition game on Saturday, November 5 at 7:00 PM from Littlejohn Coliseum. Tickets to the game are $10 for reserved seating. Gates will open at 6:00 PM.

The Tigers are coming off a 16-16 record in 2004-05, the second year under head coach Oliver Purnell. For the first time since 1999, Clemson returned to postseason play last year with an NIT appearance. Clemson also improved its win total by six from the previous year and returns three starters this season.

The leading returning scorer for the Tigers is senior guard Shawan Robinson, a native of Raleigh, NC. Robinson averaged 10.8 points per game last season and was a second-team All-ACC Tournament selection after strong performances against Maryland and North Carolina. Robinson enters his senior year ranked in the top 10 in school history in three-point goals made, three-point percentage, and three-point goals per game. Robinson is a three-time ACC All-Academic selection.

Cliff Hammonds returns after being named to the ACC All-Freshman team in 2005. The Cairo, GA native was also an ACC All-Academic selection. He averaged 10.6 points per game and started all but one game for the Tigers in 2004-05.

Vernon Hamilton is Clemson’s third returning starter from a year ago. The junior point guard from Richmond, VA set a record with 68 steals by a Tiger sophomore. He currently ranks first in school history with 1.97 steals per game.

Johnson C. Smith finished the 2004-05 season with a 16-13 record, including a 9-7 mark in CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) play. The Golden Bulls return four starters from last year’s squad, including leading scorer Charles Clark at 14 points per game.

Clemson will tip off its regular season schedule by playing host to Bethune-Cookman on Friday, November 18 as the second game of a double-header with the Lady Tigers. The game is scheduled for 7:30 PM.