Tigers Take on Georgetown for First Time

Dec. 23, 2004

Honolulu, Hawaii – Clemson vs. Georgetown Notes

*This will be Clemson’s first ever game against Big East member school Georgetown. Clemson has played four games against the Georgetown in Kentucky and had a 3-1 record against that school between 1921-22 and 1923-24.

*Clemson head coach Oliver Purnell has never coached against Georgetown as a head coach.

*When Clemson plays Georgetown on Thursday evening (Eastern time) it will mean Clemson will have played every Big East team with the exception of Notre Dame. The Tigers are 10-11 all-time against the Big East, including the 79-70 loss at Boston College earlier this year. Clemson’s last win over a Big East school took place last year when Clemson defeated Boston College 72-62 at Clemson. Clemson’s most famous game against a Big East opponent took place in the 1990 NCAA Tournament when UCONN defeated the Tigers 71-70 on a last second shot by Tate George.

*Clemson freshmen continue to make big contributions to the Tiger cause. Although none of the four rookies scored in double figures against Indiana State in the second-round victory, they did combine for 29 points and 13 rebounds. It marked the sixth straight game and the ninth time in the 10 games that Clemson’s freshmen have combined to score at least 20 points. They have combined for at least 10 rebounds in all but one game (UAB). The foursome is averaging 27 points and 13.7 rebounds per game through 10 games this season. Freshman Cliff Hammonds had 22 points against UAB in the first round of the Rainbow Classic, the most points by a Tiger rookie since the 2000-01 season.

*Two of the top shot blockers in the country will be on display when Clemson meets Georgetown. Clemson’s Sharrod Ford was 44th in the nation in blocks per game through games of this past Monday, while Georgetown’s Jeff Green stood 35th for the same time period. Clemson is 20th in the nation as a team in blocks per game and Georgetown is 39th.

*Entering games of this past Tuesday, Clemson ranked 24th in the nation in scoring margin and second in steals. Georgetown was 20th in the nation in fewest turnovers per game and 22nd in three-point goals per game.

*Clemson had 11 steals against Indiana State, leading to 22 forced turnovers and 29 points off turnovers. It was the sixth time this year Clemson had reached double figures in terms of steals. Clemson had just four games with at least 10 steals all of last season.

*Clemson’s 26-point victory over Indiana State in the second round was the largest victory margin for the Tigers in a neutral site game since a 79-45 win over Kansas State in the third round of the 1999 Maui Classic.

*Sharrod Ford shot just 3-8 from the field against Indiana State, breaking his modest streak of four consecutive games of shooting at least 50 percent from the field, but he is still 31 for his last 52 (.596) from the field over the last five games.

*Akin Akingbala led Clemson in scoring in the victory over Indiana State, the first time in his career he has done that. The junior center scored 13 points on 6-10 shooting in just 20 minutes. It was his fourth double figure scoring game of the season and his sixth as a Clemson Tiger. He has now scored 20 points and collected 10 rebounds in just 32 minutes in the Rainbow Classic.

*Prior to the trip to Hawaii, either Cliff Hammonds led the Tigers against UAB with 22 points and Akin Akingbala led the Tigers against Indiana State with 13.

*Clemson got back on track in terms of winning the points off turnovers stat against Indiana State. The Tigers won that area of the game 29-15 against the Sycamores, the eighth time in 10 games Clemson has won that stat. South Carolina (14-11) and UAB (35-16) are the only teams to win that important stat against Clemson so far this season.

*Led by Oliver Purnell era, topping the 37 points scored in the season opener against Hampton. Clemson’s bench has now scored at least 20 points in each of the last five games and in eight of the 10 games so far this year. Last year Clemson’s bench contributed at least 20 points in just 12 games the entire season.

*Vernon Hamilton had his best all-around game of the season in the win over Indiana State. The sophomore guard had 11 points on 5-6 shooting, contributed three steals and had just one turnover in 20 minutes. It was his second highest scoring game of the year (12 vs. UNCA) and his best shooting game from a percentage basis as a Clemson Tiger (min of 5 attempts).

*Jimmy Hudson contributed a career high six points in the victory over Indiana State. The sophomore guard hit his first three shots of the game and played a career high 18 minutes.

*Cliff Hammonds scored just six points, but had five assists and no turnovers in 27 minutes against Indiana State. It was the most assists without a turnover for a Clemson player this year. It was the second most minutes without a turnover for a Tiger this year. Sharrod Ford played 28 minutes without a turnover against Charleston Southern.

*Clemson won the rebound margin stat against Indiana State, the seventh straight game and the ninth time in 10 contests Clemson has won the rebound margin. That includes the first-round game against UAB when Clemson had a 44-22 margin on the boards, the Tigers largest rebound margin in a game this year.