Clemson-Virginia Tech Game Notes

by TigerNet Staff - Tue Feb 07 20:45:58 GMT-04:00 2006

Virginia Tech at Clemson

February 8, 2006

Tipoff: 7:30 PM

Tickets: Available

Site: Littlejohn Coliseum (10,000)

TV: None

City: Clemson, SC

Radio: Clemson Tiger Sports Properties (Pete Yanity, Tim Bourret)

VIRGINIA TECH (12-10, 2-7 ACC) at CLEMSON (14-8, 3-6)

7:30 p.m. tipoff Wednesday, Littlejohn Coliseum

- Clemson is playing the second of four consecutive games against teams it is playing for the first time this year. In the case of North Carolina (last Saturday), at Boston College on Saturday and the Maryland game on Feb. 14, it is the only game Clemson will play against those teams this year. Clemson faces Virginia Tech at Blacksburg on March 1.

- Clemson and Virginia Tech split a pair of two-point games last year that both came down to the last possession. Clemson won at Clemson on a dunk by Sharrod Ford at the buzzer to win 66-64, quite a way for Ford to conclude his "Senior Night."

- Clemson has two leaders in ACC stat categories. Shawan Robinson leads the conference in free throw shooting (.933) and Vernon Hamilton leads the league in steals (2.64).

- Robinson has made 15 consecutive free throws and his .933 percentage for the season is on pace to be the third best single season percentage in ACC history, the best in Clemson history.

- Wednesday's game will feature the ACC team that leads the conference and ranks third in the nation in steals, Clemson at 11.14 per game, against the ACC team that commits the fewest turnovers per game, Virginia Tech at 11.5. Clemson has forced 19.2 turnovers a game, 2nd best in the ACC.

- Clemson has struggled from the foul line as a team this year, but made 20-27 last week, 74.1 percent.

- Clemson's defense forced 41 turnovers in two games last week, thanks to 24 steals. But the Tigers lost both games by double digits.

- Akin Akingbala had a double-double in the loss to North Carolina, as the senior from Nigeria had 12 points and 10 rebounds. It was his third career double-double, but his first against an ACC foe. He is now shooting 59.89 percent from the field for his career, second best in Clemson history.

- Akingbala is on pace to reach the "30-30 defensive club". He has 31 blocks and 25 steals so far this year. He is trying to become the first member of the 30-30 club since Andrius Jurkunas in 1995-96.

- Virginia Tech point guard Jamon Gordon leads the ACC in assist/turnover ratio. Clemson point guard Vernon Hamilton leads the ACC in steals.

- This is Clemson's second home game since January 15. The Tigers have four of their last seven games at home. Only one (Boston College) of the final seven opponents is ranked in the AP or USA Today top 25.

- A victory over Virginia Tech would be the 15th victory of the season a win that would make Clmson eligible for postseason play. Clemson won its 15th game to clinch post season eligibility vs. Virginia Tech last year.