K.C. Rivers News

Entering the locker room last month ready to lecture the Tigers about a poor first-half performance against Texas A & M, Oliver Purnell was surprised to see the task already under way by Demontez Stitt.

Six months ago, the debate centered on what Clemson's basketball team would do without sharpshooting guard Terrence Oglesby, who left the program after two years and is playing in the Ukraine.

Six months ago, the debate centered on what Clemson's basketball team would do without sharpshooting guard Terrence Oglesby, who left the program after two years and is playing in the Ukraine.

Freshman Noel Johnson had four of No. 24 Clemson's 14 3-pointers in a season-opening 84-41 victory over Presbyterian on Friday night.

WHAT : Presbyterian at No. 24 Clemson WHERE : Littlejohn Coliseum - Clemson, S.C. WHEN : Friday, November 13 SPREAD : None TV : None Though the Tigers won 79-58 last season, he said the Blue Hose were able to keep it close through one half because of their ability to handle the press.

In addition to covering college basketball on a daily basis and breaking news for the site, Katz pens the "Daily Word" and "Weekly Word." Send your questions now and join Katz Thursday at 5 p.m. ET! Mike Hey Andy-Thoughts on Tony Bennett and how he will do at UVA? Andy Katz He'll do fine.

Coach: Al Skinner . Last year: 22-12 . Key loss: G Tyrese Rice. Key returnees: F Joe Trapani, G Rakin Sanders.

It wasn't all that long ago that the Clemson University men's basketball team struggled for a foothold on the bottom rungs of the Atlantic Coast Conference ladder.

Despite last season's bitter conclusion, the Clemson men's basketball team's complete body of work was historic.

College basketball practice officially starts in just under a month, but quietly all across the country coaches are working with their teams on campus within the two-hour-a-week limit for each player.

The reality check came in the form of a foot to the chest of Milton Jennings. All four members of Clemson's trumpeted class of newcomers play on the same summer league team, which plays at a Greenville high school Thursday nights and features players from the local Southern Conference and Division II programs as well.

Noel Johnson had his USC gear ready and his bags packed for the West Coast. Instead, the upheaval in the Trojans' program that included the departure of coach Tim Floyd and several key players led Johnson to Clemson.

Johnson, who committed to Clemson less than two weeks ago before signing with the Tigers four days later, is the nation's No.

Last week I was on hand at the U.S. Olympic Training Center to watch USA Basketball assemble the teams that will compete next month at the World University Games and the FIBA Under 19 World Championships.

June 25, 2009 - 12:15 a.m. EST Photo Click on photo to enlarge Noel Johnson, a 6-foot-7 guard/forward with a sweet stroke and an impressive list of offers officially chose the Clemson Tigers last Friday in what is just the latest step forward for a steadily improving basketball program.

Fayette County High School standout Noel Johnson signed an athletic aid agreement Tuesday morning with the Clemson mena s basketball program.

The program has a strong foundation with four consecutive winning seasons under coach Oliver Purnell.

Noel Johnson of Fayetteville, GA, ranked by one publication as the 11th-best small forward in the country, committed to Clemson Friday.

Clemson is the first school to benefit from Tim Floyd"s abrupt resignation after former USC recruit Noel Johnson decided to play for Tigers" coach Oliver Purnell.

He started two of the three games and his team lost the championship game by just three points.