'We want to continue that climb'

CLEMSON -- Despite last season's bitter conclusion, the Clemson men's basketball team's complete body of work was historic.

The Tigers posted back-to-back winning seasons in the ACC for the first time since 1967, and Clemson improved its winning percentage for a fifth straight season under coach Oliver Purnell.

Despite losing three starters, Purnell believes the 2009-10 Tigers can be better.

How can they be better? How can Clemson improve after losing its best shooters in K.C. Rivers and Terrence Oglesby, and a starting big in Raymond Sykes?

Purnell said Tuesday that Clemson can top last season's 23-9 mark with improved defense and more up-tempo play thanks to an injection of skill and athleticism from perhaps the best signing class in school history.

"We have to be better defensively, and we should be," Purnell said. "Raymond Sykes certainly gave us a lot of length … K.C. Rivers fit in and Oglesby got better. But the guys that should be playing for those guys, collectively, should be better defenders.

"With the loss of the offensive firepower from those guys, the only way we have a chance to get better is (improving) defensively."

From mid-February onward, Clemson was inconsistent on the

defensive end. Opponents shot 36 percent from 3-point line -- worst in the ACC. Conference opponents shot 45 percent from the field.

Incoming freshman Milton Jennings (6-9), Noel Johnson (6-6) and Donte Hill (6-4) all have length and athleticism to better guard the perimeter and disrupt passing lanes.

While the Tigers might be an improved defensive team, there is considerable scoring to replace. Oglesby and Rivers combined for 161 of the team's 256 3-point field goals, and they were efficient as each shot 39 percent from beyond the arc.

"We are not going to depend on 3-point shot as much," Purnell said. "Oglesby was a tremendous threat that everyone game-planned for."

The loss of outside shooting is concerning for Purnell as Clemson didn't face many zones, allowing forward Trevor Booker room to operate inside. Purnell expects more doubles and sagging on Booker, believing Clemson's increased abilities to "slash to the basket … defend and run can more than make up for that."

While teams might double-down on Booker more frequently, Jennings, the highest regarded recruit during the Purnell era, could limit the effectiveness of such strategy as a stretch power forward.

Purnell said the former Pinewood Prep star will play power and small forward.

Johnson, another top 50 national recruit, comes advertised as a long-range shooting threat.

The talented freshman class includes Booker's brother Devin. They each figure to play prominent roles, though Purnell said their places in the rotation will be based on training camp performances. Purnell said the competition will be "transparent."

Purnell maintains only Trevor Booker, who became the first ACC player since Tim Duncan to lead the conference in shooting percentage (.571) and rebounding (9.7), is guaranteed a starting position.

Asked whether last year's starting point guard Demontez Stitt has an edge at the starting point guard position, Purnell reiterated Booker is the only player locked into the starting lineup.

Stitt will battle with Andre Young for the starting job. In limited action, Young was a more efficient passer and shooter than Stitt.

"Demontez Stitt has played an awful lot of basketball," Purnell said. "He's won a lot. Young really impressed with the freshman year contribution he made."

Purnell said another new face to the rotation could be 7-2 center BoBo Baciu, who has impressed Purnell with his improved mobility.

Purnell's seventh season as the Tigers coach begins Nov. 13 when the Tigers host Presbyterian.

"It's been a tremendous climb," Purnell said of his tenure. "We want to continue that climb, and I think we have got a lot of climbing left to do."

Reach Travis Sawchik at tsawchik@postandcourier.com and check out his Clemson blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/tiger_tracks.