Clemson Basketball: Welcome Freshmen!

Before acknowledging the freshmen, here is an article reminding everyone of Trevor's offseason accomplishments: Trevor Booker brought home Bronze in the World university games.

Now, onto next year:

Here is the audio from the press conference with OP welcoming this year's incoming class.

One of the best things in the introductory interview with OP is his response to a question concerning the transition and preparation of the freshmen for the ACC. OP immediately moves to the importance of the academic transition. Of course, playing time was the next question.

Again, OP states there is one starter- Trevor Booker. And the freshmen can/will be in the starting competition mix.

In case you you don't know, the class composed of Milton Jennings, Donte Hill, Devin Booker, and Noel Johnson is highly rated. Maybe the best ever, per OP.

Now, to the Article Round Up!
The State: Tigers' future steps to the floor
CBSSports Johnson turns to Clemson after Floyd leaves USC
CUTigers- Donte Hill: Under the Radar: Donte Hill Interview Audio
Greenville News: Clemson basketball coach Oliver Purnell introduces 'Fab Four'

Just because I'm bored.

Also, and more importantly, in terms of the larger picture and scope of this world, Oliver and Vicky Purnell announced their second annual Coaches vs. Cancer Fundraiser.

Here is the link to the official Tigerfest 2009 site.
Here is a link to Oliver Purnell announcing Tigerfest 2009.

Also, the ACC/Big Ten Challenge times have been solidified:

Clemson vs. Illinois in Littlejohn, Wednesday, December 2, 7:15pm, ESPN. Other teams are apparently playing as well.

So with this announcement combined with the 76 Classic preseason tournament, the schedule is starting to come together, as least the early part.
Go Tigers!

Clemson Basketball Summer Update

Big #68 Trevor Booker Dunks- not his usual 35

Here is a little video from a practice. Trevor is the first dunk.

Today, or maybe it was yesterday, or whatever, in Serbia at the World University Games, Trevor Booker saved the day for the USA with a big rebound/tip-out. Trevor lead the team in rebounds with six and the USA held on for a 68-66 win against the host team Serbia.

Apparently, it was a sight to behold- seeing the Serbians go crazy for Serbian Basketball. Of the game, Trevor said, " It was crazy. They had the crowd going. At the end we couldn't make a free throw, but we still came out with a win, so we are happy about that."

He continued concerning the his primary target, "It was hard battling their big guy. He's like 7-1, 400 pounds. I just tried to keep a body on him, and that's all you can do. I think I did a pretty good job, and the other post players did too."

When Coach Bo Ryan was asked about Booker's performance, he responded, "

With out a doubt, and the players know - you can't fool players, they knew that Trevor Booker's energy and his work ethic tonight made all the difference in the world in that game. Everybody else picked up in a lot of different areas, but Talor[Battle] and Trevor, really spearheaded a lot of good things that happened for us offensively, and Trevor on the boards and defensively."

Nice Work Trevor!

And just for fun, here is an article from about a week ago entitled: Trevor Booker: Best Big Man in College Basketball. You read that correctly.

Elsewhere in the world of Clemson Basketball, OP just returned from Ohio at the LeBron Skill Camp recruiting. The same camp LeBron supposed was dunked on and then a video of it was confiscated.

He is in Myrtle Beach doing the same right now.

The match ups for the Tigers' early season tournament, the 76 Classic have been released. This is a young tournament in which all of the teams come from different conferences.

• Texas A&M vs. Clemson
• West Virginia vs Long Beach State
• UCLA vs. Portland
• Butler vs. Minnesota

The Texas A&M-Clemson winner will play the West Virginia-LBSU winner in one semifinal.

The UCLA-Portland winner will play the Butler-Minnesota winner in the other semifinal.

The winners of those games will meet in the championship game.

The dates of the event are Nov. 26, 27 and 29.

Bobo had surgery.

The late addition of Noel Johnson sent the Tigers surging 10 spots in recruiting rankings to #11.

Also, the still horrendously named, but necessary "Rock the John" date has been announced: October 16. It all seems so, so toilety.

Dear Basketball Publicity Person,

I understand toilet humor sells, but seriously? Was no other name discussed? I bet if we all put our heads together, we could move beyond this flushable event name.

Sincerely,

The OP Blog.

If you would like to leave a comment suggesting a new name, please do so.

Go Tigers!

Noel Johnson makes it official, Dreadlocks Guy graduates

So, from the absence of TO and Tim Floyd, we gain the services of Noel Johnson, who today, signed his aid agreement, thus making his attendance next year official.

And here's a little insight concerning Clemson Basketball's-not just basketball really- biggest fan- not incidentally, my favorite fan as well- I will refer to him as Dreadlocks Guy as I have always done. Yeah, you know this guy. He has been everywhere the past four years. I love him, so do you.

More Dreadlocks Guy Links- yes, I know he has a name, but this only lends to his legend and mystery.

Flickr pix
Clemson Super Fan (from The Tiger)

It is the end of an era my friends. Next year will be bittersweet. With the addition of Noel Johnson, the Tigers might have one of their best recruiting classes- maybe ever, but without Dreadlocks Guy, some games will just be more difficult.

Congrats to you sir. You are are a gentleman, a scholar, and a consummate fan.

Go Tigers!

Noel Johnson added to 2009 recruiting class

Next year could really be a banner year for Clemson. The uncertainty of losing TO seems so long ago now.

Since TO's decision, which seemed to the outsider odd, but somehow made sense:

Coach Purnell has started his own Twitter page,
Trevor Booker was named to the World University Team,
OP signed a contract extension through 2016, and
Noel Johnson- Four Star recruit, ex USC Trojan, near LSU Tiger, joins an already outstanding 2009 recruiting class.

Now, all of the very, very early top 25 rankings are bound to shift. We were listed in some top tens, top 15s, but fell out when TO left. The addition of Noel Johnson, the second four-star recruit for next year's team should improve our standings.

Next year now looks like this:
Milton Jennings- 5 Star, McDonald's All-American
Devin Booker- 4 Star, Trevor's brother
Noel Johnson- 4 Star, Tim Floyd fallout, Clemson's gain (Still wain
Donte Hill- 3 Star, fast, accurate guard

Powers out!

Go Tigers!

Tiger Basketball- The Future?

During the November signing period, Purnell and the Tigers signed three prospects in what is a nationally ranked, 23rd, recruiting class. The highlight is a character named Bobo. Seriously. His name is Catalin Baciu. He is 7'1". He is from Romania. Here are some highlights of Bobo. Two Dunks, 15 Sec. OP also landed Andre Young, a 5-9 guard from Albany, GA, Tanner Smith, a 6-5 guard/forward from Norcross, GA.

Solid Work OP. 2008!

Go Tigers.