Clemson, SC (Sports Network) - The eighth-ranked Arizona Wildcats play just
their second true road game of the season, as they travel to the east coast to
take on the Clemson Tigers in non-conference action on Saturday at Littlejohn
Coliseum.
Sean Miller's Wildcats have won all six games on the docket thus far, although
the team needed to come from behind to get the job done against Southern Miss
last time out, 63-58. The 6-0 start matches the team's best since the
1999-2000 season and is the best mark under Miller's guidance.
Brad Brownell is in his second season in Death Valley and the Tigers have also
started strong with five wins against just two losses thus far. Clemson's two
losses have come against Gonzaga and Purdue, but the team most recently posted
a 64-55 victory over rival South Carolina in Columbia last weekend.
Arizona has won both of the previous meetings, including a 63-47 victory in
Tucson last season.
The Wildcats trailed by double digits in the first half, but turned up the
heat defensively after intermission, forcing the Golden Eagles into 17
turnovers over the final 20 minutes to earn a five-point win at home. Nick
Johnson had a strong game, converting 9-of-14 shots from the floor to pace all
scorers with 23 points. Kevin Parrom added 14 points in the win, 13 of which
came in the second half.
Arizona has thrived on both ends of the floor this season and the result is a
gaudy +21.8 scoring margin. The Wildcats have shot the ball well from all over
the floor, converting 51.3 percent overall, including 41.7 percent from behind
the arc. Three of the team's five starters are averaging double figures, led
by Johnson's 13.7 ppg. Solomon Hill and Mark Lyons round out the potent trio
with 13.2 and 12.3 ppg, respectively. Brandon Ashley and Parrom add depth at
9.3 ppg apiece.
The Tigers aren't as explosive offensively, with modest numbers across the
board, averaging 64.4 ppg, on .449 shooting. Where the team has been strong is
defensively, yielding just 53.7 ppg on the year. Clemson also boasts of three
players averaging double figures, Devin Booker and K.J. McDaniels are tied for
the team-lead with 11.9 ppg each. Booker is also the team's top rebounder,
grabbing 7.6 caroms per contest. Milton Jennings adds 10.8 ppg to the cause.
Jennings was suspended for the last two games, but is expected to return in
this contest.
Despite being short-handed in Columbia, Clemson earned the win over rival
South Carolina with another strong defensive effort. The Gamecocks were held
to just .346 shooting in the game, while the Tigers forced 19 turnovers.
McDaniels led the way offensively with 16 points. Rod Hall poured in 15
points, while Booker finished with 13. Booker added eight rebounds, two blocks
and three steals for a solid stat-line all across the board.
The Sports Network