Clemson travels to Columbia for Rivalry Showdown

The Tigers playing the Gamecocks back in 2012. (T.J. Sapp and Bruce Ellington)

by CU Athletic Communications - Thu Dec 18 09:41:31 GMT-04:00 2014

GAME SETUP

Clemson (6-3) vs. South Carolina (5-3)

Date: Friday, Dec. 19

Tipoff: 7:02 p.m. ET

Arena: Colonial Life Arena (18,000)

Radio: CTSN (Tony Castricone-pbp; Tim Bourret-color)

TV: SEC Network (Mike Morgan-pbp; Will Perdue-color)

• Clemson has won two straight in the series over South Carolina, including 64-55 in Columbia two years ago.

• This is Clemson’s third straight game against an SEC opponent; the Tigers are 3-0 this season vs. the SEC, with wins over Arkansas, Auburn and LSU.

• Clemson last defeated four SEC teams in the same season in 2006-07 (Georgia, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, South Carolina).

SERIES HISTORY

CU Series W-L record: South Carolina leads 88-76

Streak: Clemson has won the past two meetings

QUICK HITS

• Clemson is in search of its third top-100 RPI win on the young season, with wins in the bag already over Arkansas (14th) and LSU (15th). The Gamecocks are 95th in the unofficial RPI according to WarrenNolan.com.

• Friday’s game is Clemson’s first true road contest of the 2014-15 season. It is the latest calendar date for a first road game in a season since 1991-92, when the Tigers’ first road game was Jan. 9.

• Friday’s game is a Homecoming for two Tigers from the Columbia area — Austin AjukwaAustin Ajukwa
So. Guard
#1 6-6, 205
Columbia, SC
View Full Profile (Cardinal Newman HS) and Jordan RoperJordan Roper
Jr. Guard
#20 6-0, 165
Columbia, SC
View Full Profile (Irmo HS).

• Rod HallRod Hall
Sr. Guard
#12 6-1, 205
Augusta, GA
View Full Profile is averaging 17.7 points per game and shooting 60 percent from the floor against teams from the SEC this season.

• Donte GranthamDonte Grantham
Fr. Forward
#15 6-8, 205
Martinsburg, WV
View Full Profile posted four blocks and four steals in the 72-61 win over Auburn last time out. He is just the sixth player in school history to achieve at least four of both in the same game.