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, Staff Writer
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The Clemson Tigers have talent and tenacity.But do the Tigers have the traction to keep from slipping like they did last season when, after a 17-0 start, they failed to make the NCAA Tournament?"We have to be much more aware of that," Clemson coach Oliver Purnell said. "We've got to keep the pedal on the metal [all the way]."With four starters and 11 lettermen returning from a 25-win team, the Tigers were picked fourth in the ACC preseason media poll.Their frontcourt, featuring James Mays (12.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and Trevor Booker (10.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg), is solid.In the backcourt, veterans K.C. Rivers (14.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and Cliff Hammonds (11.6 ppg, 4.1 apg) form a nifty duo.Hammonds can play both guard positions. But Purnell said he would like to see freshman Demontez Stitt, the North Carolina high school player of the year, "take over" the point and allow Hammonds to fling from the wing.As for the mental makeup of the team, Purnell saw a quality late last season that revealed Clemson's toughness and heightened his optimism for this year."We were disappointed about losing the first game of the ACC Tournament; we were disappointed in not making the NCAAs," Purnell said. "But they righted the ship [winning 6 of their final 8 games]. That revealed a lot about these guys."And this time, the Tigers hope to start fast again, sustain and make the NCAA Tournament. Why not?
aj.carr@newsobserver.com or (919) 829-8948
