Clemson to Face Western Carolina Saturday at Noon at Littlejohn Coliseum

Dec. 22, 2006

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* A victory against Western Carolina on Saturday will give the Tigers a 12-0 record. That would be the second best start in Clemson history, trailing only the 17-0 start by the 1986-87 Clemson team led by Horace Grant. It would also tie for the second longest winning streak in Clemson history at any time in a season. The 1996-97 Clemson team won 12 straight between early December and mid-January in 1997.

* James Mays established a career best in scoring and in the win over Georgia Southern on December 19. The junior scored 22 points on 9-11 field goal shooting and added seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Clemson has won 22 consecutive games with Mays in the lineup, an 11-0 record last year and an 11-0 record so far this year.

* In the 12-point win over Georgia Southern, Clemson had 17 steals and just 13 fouls. It was first time the Clemson team has had more steals that fouls since the fourth game of last year when the Tigers accomplished the feat against Charleston Southern.

* K.C. Rivers has scored in double figures in every game this year even though he has not started. His 11-game streak of consecutive double figure scoring games as a reserve is a Clemson record. Rivers has three of the top six scoring games as a reserve in the ACC this year.

* Clemson has won eight consecutive games against Western Carolina and the Tigers have won every game by at least 10 points.

* Clemson ranked 14th in the nation in scoring margin and 20th in rebound margin entering games of Monday, December 18. Clemson has a +8.8 rebound margin, which is on pace to break the existing school record. Clemson has out-rebounded the opposition in all but one game so far this year.

* Clemson’s game with the University of Georgia on December 28 has been moved to a 7:00 PM start and will be televised by Fox Sports Net South.

* Clemson is ranked 22nd in the USA Today poll this week, Clemson’s highest ranking in either of the two polls since a number-20 ranking in USA Today on January 4, 1999.

* The Tigers rank sixth in the RPI and seventh in the Sagarin computer ratings after games played on Thursday, December 21. Clemson is one of five schools ranked in the top 10 by both.

* This will be just the fourth time in history Clemson has played a game on December 23. Clemson is just 1-2 in games on that date over the years.

* When Clemson faces Georgia on December 28, Clemson point guard Vernon Hamilton will celebrate his 22nd birthday. Last year the Bulldogs handed the Tigers a 72-69 loss on his birthday.