Will Solomon Has Record Setting Performance Against Virginia

Jan. 17, 2000

Clemson guard Will Solomon put on a scoring show against Virginia on Saturday, January 15. The sophomore from East Hartford, CT scored 43 points in Clemson’s 98-91 loss, the most points by a Tiger in almost 30 years. Solomon connected on 14-21 shots from the floor, including 8-12 on three-point shots. He also made 7-10 free throws and found time to collect nine rebounds, three assists, a blocked shot and a steal. He did that in 37 minutes.

Here are some notes on Solomon’s game:

*Scored 43 points, most points by a Clemson player since Valentine’s Day, 1970 when Butch Zatezalo tallied 43 against NC State in a game played in the Charlotte Coliseum.

*Most points ever by a Clemson player in Littlejohn Coliseum, breaking the previous high of 38 by Skip Wise against Pennsylvania in 1974-75 and by Butch Zatezalo against Wake Forsest in 1968-69.

*Tied for most points by any player in a men’s game in the 32-year history of Littlejohn Coliseum. Hawkeye Whitney scored 43 against Clemson in a January 30, 1980 game, a contest the Tigers won. (Barbara Kennedy of Clemson holds the overall Coliseum record with 45 against Claflin in 1981-82.).

*His 43 points were most ever by a Clemson player against Virginia.

*Became first player in two years to have more points scored than minutes played. His 1.16 points per minute was seventh best in Clemson history and best by a Tiger since Rayfield Ragland scored 26 points in 22 minutes at Charleston Southern in 1993-94. It was the third best points per minute figure in an ACC game in Clemson history, best since Anthony Jenkins scored 30 in 25 minutes aginast Duke in 1982-83.

*Tied the Clemson record for three-point goals in a game with eight. He tied the total that had been recorded in a game by previous Tigers David Young, Chris Whitney and Terrell McIntyre.

*The 43 points tied for the fourth most points in any game at any site in Clemson history. J.O. Erwin has the record with 58 against the Butler Guards in 1912, the second game on the first day in the history of the sport at Clemson. Bill Yarborough had a 46-point game against South Carolina in 1955 and Zatezalo scored 46 against Wake Forest in 1969.

*At the time of the performance, Solomon’s scoring binge was the top scoring game in the ACC this year and the fourth best scoring game in the nation in 1999-2000. Eddie House of Arizona State had 61 against California on January 8 for the top scoring game. House had 46 against San Diego State on December 18. Nate Green of Indiana State had a 45-point game against Eastern Illinois on December 19 and Courtney Alexander (who ironically used to play for Virginia), had 43 for Fresno State against UAB on December 11.

*Scored 29 points in the second half, 26 in the last 12:35 of the game and 12 of Clemson’s final 14 points over the last 1:31 of the game.

“We couldn’t stop Will Solomon. We recruited him, so we know how he plays. He is a great player. We should not have allowed him to score that many points, but he did.” Virginia Head Coach Pete Gillen.

“Will’s performance was one of the best individual performances I have ever seen. And, he did it against a Virginia team that has outstanding defenders in the backcourt.” Clemson Head Coach Larry Shyatt.