Tigers see signs of progress

CLEMSON — A cursory glance at last season's record doesn't provide much of an indication that the Clemson women's basketball team made much progress in Cristy McKinney's third season.

The Tigers finished 12-19 overall, about the same as their 12-18 record the year before. Their 4-10 ACC mark was identical.

But steps forward are measured in small steps when you're trying to rebuild a slumbering program. And last season's highlights — a last-second win at Florida State in the regular season finale, and the team's first ACC Tournament victory in five years — are being viewed as harbingers of better days ahead in Clemson.

McKinney welcomes back eight players from last year's team. Also returning are Tasha Taylor and Bryelle Smith, both of whom missed the season with knee injuries.

"This team needs to make a move this year," said McKinney, who replaced fan favorite Jim Davis in 2005.

Making a move is difficult in the ACC. Clemson won just two conference games in McKinney's first year, and the Tigers were picked to finish ninth in the league this season.

McKinney likes her depth, bolstered by the addition of five freshmen. The biggest question facing this team is whether Taylor, the lone senior on the roster, will return to form after her knee injury.

Taylor, who's expected to play both guard positions, averaged 11.9 points per game two seasons ago while nailing 26 3-pointers. McKinney said she anticipates Taylor will be "a little rusty."

The Tigers return four starters from last season, including backcourt players Christy Brown and Lele Hardy.

The Schedule

November

14—at Furman, 5 p.m.; 16—Presbyterian, 2 p.m.; 19—at South Carolina, 7 p.m.; 22—Georgia State, 7 p.m.; 25—Winthrop, 5:30 p.m.; 28-30—vs. Kent State and Washington/Seattle at Husky Classic in Seattle.

December

4—Northwestern, 7 p.m.; 6—Ohio, 7 p.m.; 15—Chattanooga, 7 p.m.; 22—vs. Georgia in Gwinnett, Ga.; 29—Kennesaw State, 7 p.m.

January

2—Charlotte, 7 p.m.; 5—at Miami, 5 p.m.; 8—North Carolina, 7 p.m.; 11—at Florida State, 3 p.m.; 15—Maryland, 7 p.m.; 18—at Wake Forest, 3 p.m.; 20—Charleston Southern, 7 p.m.; 23—at Boston College, 7 p.m.; 26—Virginia, 7 p.m.; 28—Virginia Tech, 7 p.m.

February

1—at Georgia Tech, 2 p.m.; 4—at Western Carolina, 7 p.m.; 8—Wake Forest, 1 p.m.; 13—at Duke, 8:30 p.m.; 19—Florida State, 7 p.m.; 22—Georgia Tech, 1 p.m.; 26—at N.C. State, 7 p.m.

March

5-8—ACC Tournament in Greensboro, N.C.