2000-01 record: 12-19; 2-14 in ACC (9th) Final Ranking: NR Postseason: None RETURNING LEADERS Points: Stockman 12.0 ppg | Rebounds: Hobbs 6.3 rpg | Assists: Scott 4.2 apg | FG %: Hobbs 56.6% | 3pt %: Bains 40.6% | FT %: Stockman 83.6% 00-01 Stats: Clemson | ACC

		Wed., Oct. 31 The single biggest key for Clemson is consistency. The Tigers give different looks and feels depending upon where and whom they play. Larry Shyatt has some players who can compete, but they need to do it together and with reliability and uniformity to be a conference contender.

Outlook
It's not easy playing catch-up in the ACC, and Tigers coach Larry Shyatt could write a book on the topic. It especially won't be easy this season, with the team's leading scorer the past two years, Will Solomon, and 7-foot-1 center Adam Allenspach gone.

Starting small forward Dwon Clifton was also feared lost for the season after suffering a fainting spell, which originally was thought to be a heart condition that could prevent him from playing basketball. But tests showed Clifton fainted during a practice because of extreme fatigue and dehydration. So, while Allenspach graduated and Solomon left early for the NBA, Clifton, a 6-5 sophomore, may still be able to help the Tigers.

Solomon left a year early after carrying the Clemson offense for two seasons. Then again, his loss might not be such a bad thing for the Tigers, who spent much of the last two seasons letting Solomon do everything -- bring the ball upcourt, set up the offense, then take the shot. Now, those duties will fall heavily to 6-1 sophomore Tony Stockman (12 ppg, 2.5 apg), the ACC's freshman scoring leader, and 6-0 junior Edward Scott, who is far more talented than his sophomore numbers (7.3 ppg, 4.2 apg, 74 turnovers) would suggest.

There are plenty of minutes available for some of the freshmen down low, where the Tigers will have to replace Allenspach -- and not with 6-8 Chucky Gilmore, who transferred after redshirting last season. Sophomore Chris Hobbs (7.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg) is a possible star in the ACC, although probably not this soon. Junior Tomas Nagys (3.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg) showed flashes of talent late last season, and could take some inside offensive pressure off Hobbs, which is something 6-9 Ray Henderson (5.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg) simply cannot do. Henderson is a banger, a rebounder and a defender -- but a scorer he is not.

A talented freshman class led by 6-9 Sharrod Ford, 6-4 Chey Christie and 6-10 Steve Allen will get plenty of looks.

What we like: Scott and Stockman are fun to watch and should be much better this season without having the offense flow solely through Solomon. Unless they're worse, now that Solomon isn't around to absorb defensive pressure.

What we don't like: This is still a young team -- every year, it seems, Clemson is a young team -- and Solomon's departure costs the Tigers 20 or more points on a game-by-game basis.

The bottom line: If the freshmen are really good, right now, the Tigers might not finish in the bottom two in the conference. If they're anything less than that, Clemson will have to battle to stay out of the basement.

Key Players Returning
Player	Yr.	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Tony Stockman	So.	G	6-1/165	PTS: 12.0 | REB: 1.9 | AST: 2.5
Chris Hobbs	So.	F	6-7/250	PTS: 7.3 | REB: 6.3 | AST: 0.5
Edward Scott	Jr.	G	6-0/180	PTS: 7.3 | REB: 3.4 | AST: 4.2
Ray Henderson	Jr.	F	6-8/250	PTS: 5.4 | REB: 4.8 | AST: 0.2
Dwon Clifton	So.	G/F	6-4/195	PTS: 3.9 | REB: 2.6 | AST: 0.8

Key Losses
Player	Pos.	Ht./Wt.	Comment
Will Solomon	G	6-1/185	PTS: 19.7 | REB: 2.9 | AST: 3.4
Adam Allenspach	C	7-1/265	PTS: 7.7 | REB: 5.5 | AST: 0.5

Clemson Signings
Player	Pos.	Ht.	High School/College
Olu Babalola	F	6-6	London/St. Augustine Prep
Chey Christie	G	6-4	Biloxi (Miss.)
Sharrod Ford	F	6-9	Brandywine/Hargrave Military Academy (Md.)
Steve Allen	C	6-10	Fort Lauderdale/Dillard High (Fla.)
Jemere Hendrix	F	6-8	Covington, Ga./East Side