Post-Game Notes

Feb. 18, 2004

Clemson vs. NC State Post-Game Notes

February 18 was a magic day for Clemson for the third time inthe last four years. Clemson defeated NC State tonight 60-55. ThePack was ranked 13th in AP and 18th by ESPN/Coach’s poll. NC Statewas ranked sixth in the RPI entering the game. Last year onFebruary 18, Clemson defeated Virginia at Virginia, 73-64, one ofjust three road wins for Clemson the last six years. In 2001 onthis day Clemson upset #1 ranked North Carolina 75-65 at LittlejohnColiseum, ending North Carolina’s 18-game winning streak. Clemsonhad a season low 11 turnovers in this game. It marks the secondstraight game Clemson has had a season low in turnovers. Clemson’s13 turnovers at Florida State was the low point in the year priorto Wednesday night’s game. Clemson had 13 assists tonight, givingClemson more assists than turnovers for the first time in an ACCgame this year and for just the third time this year. ShawanRobinson led Clemson in scoring with 20 points. Robinson is anative of Raleigh, the home of the NC State campus, and is agraduate of Leesville Road High School. Robinson has led Clemson inscoring in all three of its ACC wins this year. He had 10 in thewin over Florida State, 24 in the win over North Carolina and 20this evening. It was his third career 20-point scoring game, allhave taken place within the last six games. Robinson made 3-5three-point goals tonight and has now made 11 of his last 18 fromlong distance. NC State shot 30.2 percent from the field, its worstfield goal percentage of the season. It was the worst field goalpercentage over the last 47 games for the Pack dating to a 17-64shooting performance in a loss to Gonzaga on December 17, 2002.Clemson has now beaten a 12th ranked North Carolina and a 13thranked NC State (Associated Press polls) this season. This is thefirst time Clemson has beaten two top 20 teams in the same seasonsince 2001-02 when Clemson defeated a fifth ranked Virginia teamand a 17th ranked Wake Forest team. It is the first time since1996-97 that Clemson has beaten at least a pair of top 15 teams ina season. That year Clemson beat an 11th ranked Maryland team, aseventh ranked Maryland and a 10th ranked Duke team. Akin Akingbalahad 10 points in his first career starting role this evening. Itwas his second career double figure scoring game, first since hescored 10 points in the season opener this year againstGardner-Webb. He had a career high five field goals in the game.Olu Babalola suffered a sprained ankle in practice on Monday, butplayed 29 minutes this evening and led all rebounders with nine. Itas the most rebounds in a game for Babalola in his career againstan ACC team and most in any game since he had 11 in a loss to SouthCarolina earlier this year. He also had four rebounds to tie forthe team lead. NC State missed 31 three-point attempts in thisgame. It was the second most missed three-point goals ever againstClemson. The only figure that is higher took place on December 1,1993 when Charleston Southern missed 32 (15-47) from long range inCharleston, SC in a 120-103 Clemson victory.