For the 2002-2003 Clemson Tigers, this season is all about balance. Clemson will rely on a balanced roster that features returnees at every position and potential contributors from all four recruiting classes, as well as balance on the court, where they boast scoring threats from the inside and the outside, to prevent a second consecutive losing season.
Although the pain of a sub-.500 record still lingers in the minds of the Tigers, many positives from the 2001-2002 squad remain as well. Clemson returns five seniors and three starters, most notably offensive leader Edward Scott. Scott, a senior and team captain, averaged 11.9 points and 7.9 assists per game last year, earning him third team All-ACC honors.
"Edward makes a contribution in so many areas. We hope his enthusiasm for all aspects of the game will spread through our entire team," Clemson coach Larry Shyatt said. "We rely on him to do a lot for this team, but he welcomes the challenge."
Scott's leadership will be vital to Clemson's success, yet the forward is quick to heap praise on his teammates, recognizing that no individual can carry a whole team on his shoulders.
"I make the choice to get everyone else involved. You've got to take care of everyone else on your team," Scott said.
Scott is only one of five returning seniors, a factor the Tigers hope will weigh heavily in their success this season.
"This year, we enter the fray with as much experience, depth and leadership as we have had in the last four years. Hopefully that will translate into a continued improvement in the victory category and our goal of returning to postseason play," Shyatt said.
Leadership and experience aside, the scales tip in favor of the offense when it comes to the Tigers' strengths. Clemson was seventh in the ACC in scoring defense last year and last in three-point defense.
"Defense is the area that we need to show the most improvement," Shyatt said. "That said, defense is a function of maturity and intellect, and when you look at our roster, we certainly should be improved in that area."
Although defense was an acknowledged weakness of last year's Tigers, rebounding marked a team strength. Clemson led the conference with a +1.5 rebound margin. Strength on the boards is a trademark of Larry Shyatt teams, and the 2003 squad has the weapons to continue the tradition.
Clemson returns last year's starting combination in the frontcourt, senior Ray Henderson and junior Chris Hobbs. Nicknamed the "Bruise Brothers" by Shyatt, the duo has racked up a collective career total of 871 rebounds and 1,066 points.
Adopting a new home court presents only one of the challenges Clemson faces this season. In addition to 16 games in the nation's top conference, the Tigers must prepare for tough competition from beyond the ACC. Their non-conference schedule features December contests with Cincinnati and Penn State as well as an in-state battle with South Carolina on Feb. 12. Despite such obstacles, however, Shyatt has confidence that his senior leaders will be the fulcrum of a balanced attack that results in Tiger success.
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