From: grimlok@hubcap.clemson.edu (Mike Percy)
Subject: Free Throw Record by...Clemson?? And Tigers to be in 93 Rainbow
Organization: Clemson University
Date: Fri, 1 Jan 1993 19:51:27 GMT

Yes, Clemson's men, who have been the worst free throw shooters in
years past, and the worst in the history of the ACC last year, have
made a great turnaround in shooting from the line of late.

Say what you want about our non-conference schedule (and even I have to
admit that I was over-optimistic about the quality of our opponents
before we played them), one aspect of the game that has shown great
improvement and, in theory at least, shouldn't depend on who you're
playing is free throw shooting.  At 59% for last season, the Tigers
lost more than a few games at the line.

But this past Wednesday night, Mercer came into Littlejohn from Macon,
Georgia (soph. center Sharone Wright's hometown).  Clemson buried 38 of
45 (84%), at one point had made 30 of 31, and set a school record for
most consecutive team free throws at 24 (was 20).  The starters combined for 33
of 37.  The 38 made free throws is the fourth best by a Clemson team.

The team stands at 71.6% for the season.  Senior point guard
Chris Whitney had a string of 18 consecutive FTs (going back to last
season) broken last week, but has made 21 of 22 this season.  Wright's
free throws will add up over the season, and he is shooting .706 now
(36-51, 9 of 10 Wednesday).  Starting forwards Grey and Hines also have
improved to .659 (29-44) and .813 (13-16) on the season.  The team has
been out-fouled by every opponent so far, and have 222 FTA to 136 FTA
for their opponents 222 FTA to 136 FTA.  The Tigers attempted only 575
free throws last season.

The Tigers (8-0) have shot 50% from the floor and 66% or better from the line
in all games except Mercer, where they fell one basket short from the
floor at 24 of 49.
 
They have one more soft game when Furman comes to Littlejohn Sunday.
Their ACC season opens with trips to Duke and Virginia.  I guess then
we'll see if these extended scrimmages so far have acounted for much.
In a recent RPI raning placed the Tigers at 133, while their opponents
so far were 205, 223, 282, 259, 165, 299, 91 (! App. State), and 183. 
The only other non-coference game is SEC team USC (166).

After playing Furman (259) for the second time in as many weeks, they
move on to Duke (3) and UVA (11).  It will be interesting to see if they
can make the adjustments needed to be competitive.  I think they can,
but I'm the eternal optimist.

BTW, the ACC checked in on the RPI chart posted last week:
UNC 2, Duke 3, UVA 11, FSU 23, WFU 24, GT 55, Md 96, CU 133, NCSU 135

Wright also topped the 100 career blocked shots mark with his 6 against
Mercer, passing all-time NBA shot-blocking forward Larry Nance to move
into No. 6 in the Clemson record book.  He is shooting .614 from the
floor, averaging 17.3 ppg, leads the team with 138 points (Gray, 128 pts,
16 ppg; Whitney, 110 pts, 13.8 ppg), grabbed 91 rebounds, has 37 blocked 
shots, 9 steals, 5 assists, and only 17 turnovers.
 
Better news for next year's non-conference schedule was announced this
week.  The Tigers will join Louisville and Oklahoma State in the 93
Rainbow classic.  Hosted by Hawaii, the field is rounded out by Army,
Evansville, Florida and Cal-Santa Barbara.  Clemson was the 1980
champion and this will be their third appearance.  Florida will also be
appearing for the third time.  Army and Louisville will play for the
fourth time each, but niether has ever won the tournament.

Mike Percy             | grimlok@hubcap.clemson.edu  | I don't know about
Sr. Systems Analyst    | mspercy@clemson.clemson.edu | your brain, but mine
Info. Sys. Development | mspercy@clemson.BITNET      | is really...bossy.
Clemson University     | (803) 656-3780              | (Laurie Anderson)

P.S.  January 8th is my last day at Clemson.  I'll be moving to Atlanta,
and won't have Usenet available, but I will have mail capabilities.  I'll
be doing some week-end commuting until my house is sold, so you'll only
be subjected to these long Clemson posts once in a while.  Of course,
I'll be making the 2 hour drive for every Clemson home game, too.
 
Can I get this group in a mailing list form?
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.college