Tigers face No. 10 Butler tonight

Clemson will wrap up the 76 Classic on Sunday by facing Butler, the nation's No. 10 ranked team according to the latest ESPN/USA Today coaches' poll.

The Tigers are coming off an 87-79 win over Long Beach State, while the Bulldogs held off local favorite UCLA 69-67 in the late game Friday. Sunday's game between the two schools will be at 7:30 PM (EST). It will be televised by ESPNU.

Clemson will be looking for its first win over a top-25 ranked non-conference team since 1997.

The Tigers' last win over a non-conference top-25 foe was Dec. 17, 1997, when Clemson knocked off rival South Carolina by a score of 62-57 at home. The Gamecocks were No. 6 in the country at the time.

This will be just the second meeting ever between Clemson and Butler on the hardwood. The Tigers won the first matchup, a 1999 home game in the postseason NIT. Clemson won 89-69 to advance to the semifinals of the NIT in New York City. Tiger post player Harold Jamison had a big night against Butler, as the senior poured in 26 points to lead the offense.

Clemson enters Sunday's contest with a 5-1 record, 1-1 in the 76 Classic. After dropping their opening round game to Texas A&M, the Tigers bounced back Friday with an eight-point win. Six players scored double figures for Oliver Purnell's squad, including Tanner Smith who scored a career-high 17 points. Demontez Stitt made 7-14 shots and scored a season-best 16 points, while adding five assists against only one turnover. Andre Young (13) and Bryan Narcisse (10) also matched career highs in the victory.


The Bulldogs won the Horizon League last season and finished with a 26-6 overall record.