Tigers Try To Knock Off Heels

March 1, 2004

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Clemson has beaten North Carolina each of the last twomeetings, the first time Clemson has downed the Tar Heels inconsecutive games since the 1979-80 era. Clemson won the lastmeeting of 1978-79 and the first meeting of 1979-80. Both wereplayed at Clemson, as have the last two meetings. This is just thethird time in history Clemson has beaten North Carolina inconsecutive games. Clemson has never beaten North Carolina threeconsecutive games. Clemson has lost 49 straight games in ChapelHill, the longest active losing streak on an opponent’s home courtin the nation. It is the second longest streak in history, exceededonly by Brown’s 52-game road losing streak at Princeton, a streakthat was stopped last year. Earlier this year Washington State wonat UCLA for the first time in 47 contests. Clemson’s game at NorthCarolina will be its 11th against an AP top 25 team this year.Clemson has two wins over top 15 teams this year, a victory over a#12 North Carolina in the first meeting this year and a victoryover #13 NC State on Feb. 18. In the first meeting between Clemsonand UNC this year the Tigers shot 11-13 on three-point goals in an81-72 victory. That is the sixth best three-point shooting game inNCAA history in terms of percentage and the best by any team in thenation this year. (Given a minimum of 10 made three-pointers).Clemson senior Chris Hobbs will be going home for his final ACCroad game as a Tiger. Hobbs is a native of Chapel Hill and agraduate of East Chapel Hill High. He has been a part of three winsover North Carolina in his career, the first Clemson player toparticipate in three wins over the Tar Heels since Bobby Conrad(1976-80). Clemson guard Shawan Robinson is also a native of NorthCarolina (Raleigh). Robinson made 5-6 three-point goals and scoreda career high 24 points in the first meeting between the two teamsthis year. * Both Clemson coach Oliver Purnell and North Carolinacoach Roy Williams are assistant coaches under Larry Brown on the2004 United States Olympic team. * Clemson center Sharrod Ford iscoming off one of his best games as a Tiger. The junior scored 20points and pulled down 16 rebounds vs. Georgia Tech last Saturday.His rebound total included 10 offensive, tying a Clemson singlegame record for an ACC game. Ford has made 17 of 24 shots from thefield in his career against North Carolina. * Last year Clemsonlost at Chapel Hill by a 68-66 score. It was the closest Clemsonhas come to victory at UNC since 1974-75 when Clemson suffered atwo-point loss.