Clemson Men’s Basketball Picked to Finish Seventh by ACC Media

Oct. 19, 2011

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Clemson men’s basketball team was predicted to finish seventh by the media at ACC Operation Basketball, the conference’s annual preseason media day event. The Tigers are coming off a school-record fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Clemson compiled a 22-12 record, 9-7 in the ACC, in Brad Brownell’s first season with the program in 2010-11. Last season, the Tigers were also picked seventh but finished in a tie for fourth place.

North Carolina was the overwhelming favorite to win the ACC, with 57 first-place votes out of 59. The Tar Heels were followed in the preseason poll by Duke, Florida State, Virginia, Miami and Virginia Tech. North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes was the ACC Preseason Player of the Year, while Duke’s Austin Rivers was tabbed the ACC Preseason Rookie of the Year.

The Tigers return three starters in Tanner Smith and Andre Young. Clemson also returns sixth man Catalin Baciu and Bryan Narcisse. Entering the fold this season for Brownell’s team are five scholarship freshmen, including four-star forward K.J. McDaniels and T.J. Sapp. Clemson lost its top two scorers from last season in Demontez Stitt and Jerai Grant.