COLUMBIA, S.C. - College football season is ending and college basketball season is starting to heat up. But it looks like baseball fans at Clemson and South Carolina could have a lot to cheer about this spring.<br>
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The Collegiate Baseball preseason top 25 was released Friday with the Tigers No. 2 and the Gamecocks right behind at No. 3.<br>
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Rice is the poll's top-ranked team.<br>
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Clemson finished 53-16 a year ago, advancing to the College World Series.<br>
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South Carolina was 41-25 this past season. It reached the NCAA tournament's Super Regional round, losing to Georgia in the best-of-3 series.<br>
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The Tigers start the year with a three game series against George Mason beginning Feb. 16.<br>
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The Gamecocks open a week earlier at a North Carolina-Wilmington tournament with their first game against Oklahoma on Feb. 9.