Game Notes for Clemson vs. Georgia Tech This Wednesday at Littlejohn.

Jan. 22, 2001

Clemson vs. Georgia Tech Series

Clemson holds a 48-47 advantage in the series with Georgia Tech. That includes a 33-11 lead in games played at Clemson and a 24-4 margin in games in Littlejohn Coliseum. Tech last defeated Clemson at Clemson since the 1992-93 season when Tech ruined Chris Whitney’s “Senior Day” game by a 66-59 score. Clemson has won seven in a row over Tech in Littlejohn by an average of 13.4 points per game. Larry Shyatt has two wins over Tech in Littlejohn by a combined 40 points.

Clemson has won each of the last four games at home and five of the last seven by at least a dozen points. That includes Clemson’s 28-point victory in 1998-99, Clemson’ s largest victory margin over Georgia Tech since 1975-76. Clemson won the 1997-98 meeting at Clemson 76-62 behind 30 points from Greg Buckner on his “Senior Day”. Clemson has won 13 of the last 14 games played at Clemson between the two teams.

This has been a home team series, perhaps the most home team dominated series in the ACC the last 15 years. The home team has won 24 of the last 27 meetings. Two of the road wins in the series came in the same year. In 1992-93, Clemson won at Tech, 83-80, then lost at home, 66-59. The last win for the road team in the series took place in 1996-97 when Clemson won in Atlanta, 55-53.

The teams have each won on their home court in 11 of the last 13 years. The only season series sweep in the last 13 years took place in 1996-97 when Clemson won both games. Tech has not swept Clemson since the 1985-86 season, Mark Price’s senior year. The series dates to the 1912-13 season, the second year in Clemson basketball history. That year, ironically, Clemson won at Tech, 26-22, but lost at Clemson 29-13. That was the first home loss in Clemson history after four straight home wins.

Last Year vs. Georgia Tech

Clemson 70, Georgia Tech 58Feb. 2 at Clemson, SC Andrius Jurkunas and Dustin Braddick both scored career highs in leading Clemson to a 70-58 victory over Georgia Tech on February 2, 2000. It was the 24th time in 28 meetings in Littlejohn Coliseum that Clemson had gained victory over the Yellow Jackets. Clemson led by as many as 20 points in the second half.

Jurkunas scored 21 points, the first 20-point game of his career, and hit 7-12 shots from the field. He also made 4-7 three-point goals and tied for the lead in rebounding with seven. It was the second time in four games that Jurkunas led Clemson in both categories in the same game. He made just 3-9 shots from the line or he would have had a 25-point game.

Braddick scored 14 on 4-5 shooting and also had seven rebounds, three assists and three steals in another fine all-around game for the 6-5 forward who did not play against North Carolina the last time the two teams met. Will Solomon had 15 points in the second half and 17 for the game. He also had a team best five assists. Ray Henderson led the bench with six points on 3-4 shooting.

Clemson held Georgia Tech in check, allowing just 34.5 percent shooting, including just 7-29 three-point shots. The Tigers were playing without Adam Allenspach for the first time in 55 games. The 7-1 center was out with a bulging disk, forcing Clemson to go with a small lineup. But, Clemson won the rebound battle 40-38.

Tech jumped out to a 7-2 lead early. Alvin Jones scored the first two baskets for the Yellow Jackets, then never scored another field goal. Clemson held Jason Collier, the second leading scorer in the league entering the contest, to 10 points and just three field goals. He took six shots in the first six minutes, then got just four shots the last 34 minutes.

Clemson went on 13-4 run to end the half and held a 23-18 lead at intermission. It was just 27-23 with 17 minutes left when Clemson went on a 13-3 run over four minutes to take a 14-point lead. It was 54-34 in favor of Clemson with 7:53 left. Tech never got the deficit under double figures the rest of the game.

Georgia Tech 85, Clemson 69Mar. 4 at Atlanta, GA Georgia Tech downed Clemson in Atlanta on March 4, 2000. The victory was the final home game for retiring Tech Coach Bobby Cremins. He got a strong sendoff with the 16-point victory over the Tigers, who had won by 12 points at Clemson earlier in the year.

Jason Collier, playing in his final home game, had 24 points and seven rebounds, while Jason Floyd hit 4-7 three-point shots and scored 23. T.J. Vines added 11 off the bench. Will Solomon led Clemson with 30 points. He was the only Tiger in double figures. Andrius Jurkunas added eight, while Pash Bains had seven. Adam Allenspach had seven points and eight rebounds, but played just 19 minutes.

Tech won the battle of the boards 45-40 and shot 44 percent from the field. The turnover totals were tied at 14-14. Tech held a 38-27 lead at intermission.