Home away from home for Purnell

CLEMSON — Oliver Purnell thinks he knows what to expect from the crowds at the College of Charleston's new Carolina First Arena, against Hofstra tonight or any other foe at the Charleston Classic this weekend.

"We like seeing fans dressed in orange in other arenas besides our own," said Purnell, entering his sixth season as Tigers head coach. "We think that's Clemson territory down there."

Certainly it is becoming more so by the month.

Earlier this year, Purnell bought an Isle of Palms vacation home. It's not far from the Wild Dunes places owned by North Carolina head coach Roy Williams and Boston College head coach Al Skinner.

Earlier this week, Clemson officially signed prized 6-9 forward Milton Jennings of Summerville's Pinewood Prep.

So Purnell knows his way around both sides of the Ravenel Bridge.

"I love the weather. It's beautiful down there," Purnell said. "I love the beach. I love the great food. I love the people. They're just tremendously warm. There are a lot of things to like and I'm sure there are so many things in Charleston I don't even know about yet."

Booker's new role

It makes an ideal setting for a weekend getaway designed for Purnell and his staff to learn more about their team. The Tigers were fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference preseason media poll and are a popular pick to return to the NCAA Tournament after making it in 2008 for the first time in Purnell's Clemson tenure. Replacing guard Cliff Hammonds and designated defender James Mays will be a challenge.

The development process should be intriguing.

Purnell still wants to press but with tenacious 6-7, 240-pound junior Trevor Booker replacing the long-armed, diligently active Mays in the middle.

"He just has to get used to doing that hockey goalie thing that James did," Purnell said.

And stay out of foul trouble.

Clemson will run more on offense with sophomore Demontez Stitt at point guard and freshman Andre Young getting minutes, but ball security is an issue. The Tigers had 22 turnovers and 14 assists last week in a 94-60 exhibition game victory over USC Aiken.

Sophomore sharpshooter Terrence Oglesby should not be bothered by a 3-point line moved back a foot to 20 feet, 9 inches. Heck, Oglesby, a star this summer on a Norwegian national team, would be comfortable with 30-9.

Free throw prowess?

How about this? Senior leader K.C. Rivers says, "A lot of people will be surprised but free throw shooting will be our best asset."

This from a player in a program traditionally beset by such poor marksmanship many people swear there is something in the Pickens County water.

Rivers said he does not concede the ACC title to national championship favorite North Carolina, or any other team. Clemson lost three close games to North Carolina's Final Four qualifier last season, in overtime and double-overtime during the regular season and 86-81 in the ACC Tournament championship game, which the Tigers reached for the first time since 1962.

You would hate to trip over the Hofstra Pride out of the blocks. They generally are picked to finish in the lower division of the Colonial Athletic Association, which is led by Virginia Commonwealth and George Mason.

"We didn't get a great draw here," Purnell said of Hofstra. "If you're looking for a cupcake, this is not a cupcake."

But it is a nice three-game piece of home away from home cooking.

Reach Gene Sapakoff at gsapakoff@postandcourier.com or 937-5593.