As we count down to the opening of the basketball season, let’s take a look at an opponent on North Carolina’s schedule ....
Opponent: Clemson
Date: Feb. 28 (at Clemson, S.C.)
Series results: UNC leads 126-20. (The Tar Heels beat the Tigers in their only meeting last season.)
Clemson last season: 16-15 overall, 8-8 in the ACC
Foe to know: Milton Jennings, 6-9 forward, senior
Tigers fans have been waiting for the former McDonalds High School All-American to live up to his potential, and this year, they really need him to do it. With 11 freshmen and sophomores on the roster, coach Brad Brownell will be looking to Jennings and senior forward Devin Booker for both leadership and offense -- especially with last year’s leading scorers, Andre Young and Tanner Smith, having graduated.
“We believe we have one of the best frontcourts in the conference,” Jennings told the school's website. “I can pull another big man out and take him to the hole or go inside, and Book can take his man outside or he can go inside. We hope it’s going to be a mismatch problem for most of the teams in our league.”
Jennings averaged 9.7 points and 5.6 rebounds during a topsy-turvy junior year that also saw him serve two suspensions. But Brownell -- and fans -- are hoping for more consistency and confidence this season.
Tidbits: Although Clemson has never beaten UNC in Chapel Hill, it has won 13 times at Littlejohn Coliseum. The last time: 2010.
Previous schedule previews:
Nov. 19 Mississippi State in the Maui Invitational
Nov. 20 Butler/Marquette in the Maui Invitational
Nov. 21 TBA in the Maui Invitational
Follow Robbi Pickeral on Twitter at @bylinerp.