Clemson will take it to the streets for start of basketball season

CLEMSON, S.C. - Clemson is taking a slightly different take on the traditional midnight start of college basketball.<br> <br> The town surrounding the Upstate campus will close off the intersection of College and North Clemson avenues and set up a portable basketball floor for midnight hoops.<br> <br> Both the women&#39;s and men&#39;s teams will participate.<br> <br> ``I am really excited about the Clemson Midnight Hoops Courtside on College Avenue, particularly because it is an effort to reach out to our student body and let them know how important a role they play in the resurgence of our basketball program,&#39;&#39; said Oliver Purnell, men&#39;s head coach.<br> <br> The event is scheduled to begin at 11:15 p.m. with music and introductions of Larry Davis&#39; Lady Tigers and the men&#39;s team.<br> <br> The teams will have dunking, three-point shooting and free-throw contests beginning at midnight, the first time all NCAA men&#39;s and women&#39;s basketball teams can begin practice.