CLEMSON, S.C. --- Clemson had a landmark season in 2007-08, at least by its standards.
At 24-10, the Tigers took third in the Atlantic Coast Conference, reached the league's tournament finals for the first time since 1962 and were back in the NCAA tournament after a decade-long absence.
That may sound good to a campus that thrives on football, but "to most people still that's nothing," guard K.C. Rivers said.
Rivers has been the team's top scorer the past two seasons and is the senior captain this year. It's his mission to ensure Clemson's returnees don't spend too much time reliving a year ago.
"I don't necessarily think our guys are looking above and beating their chests out, walking around macho," he said. "And if they are, then they've got to get a reality check because that's not who we are, that's not what we've been about."
The Tigers built to this the past five seasons under coach Oliver Purnell. To continue the rise, they have to find adequate replacements for guard Cliff Hammonds and forward James Mays.
Purnell will rely on a combination to pick up Hammond's position. Second-year point guard Demontez Stitt will take more control this season, while long-range shooter Terrence Oglesby has improved his defense during the preseason.
Junior forward Trevor Booker, the Tigers top shot-blocker last year, moves into Mays role.
Purnell said his guys have done a good job going about the business of improving this preseason, although there have been moments the Tigers acted like champions instead of chasers.
"This is a high character group, they listen. But they are young men and they are susceptible to the hype. We've had to get on them about that," Purnell said.
Like the day after a solid exhibition performance against Division II USC Aiken when the Tigers came to practice thinking "we've arrived," Purnell said.
"I talked to them about it. The next day they came out in practice and had a great day," he said.
Rivers, Clemson's only senior in the regular rotation, is prepared to take control of this team from the start with leaders like Hammonds and Mays gone.
"I've been waiting in line for three years, finally at the top," he said. "This is the start to a spectacular season."
CLEMSON TIGERS
LAST SEASON: 24-10; 10-6 (third in ACC)
COACH: Oliver Purnell, 350-259 overall, 21st year; 94-68 at Clemson, sixth year
KEY RETURNEES: G-F K.C. Rivers (14.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg); F Trevor Booker (11.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg), G Demontez Stitt (8.8 ppg, 2.9 apg), G Terrence Oglesby (10.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg)
KEY LOSSES: G Cliff Hammonds (11.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg), F James Mays (10.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg), F Sam Perry (3.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg)
OUTLOOK: Clemson has to find adequate replacements for Hammonds and Mays.
Rivers and Oglesby should provide the points from the outside with the muscular Booker doing most of the damage inside.
-- Associated Press
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