Clemson releases hoops schedule

CLEMSON, S.C. - Clemson will play in a Thanksgiving weekend tournament that includes six teams that made the 2008-2009 postseason.

The school released its 2009-2010 men's basketball schedule on Tuesday. Among the nonconference highlights are the 76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif., from Nov. 26-29. The Tigers start out with Texas A&M, then would play either West Virginia or Long Beach State in the next game. The other side of the bracket features UCLA, Butler, Minnesota and Portland.

Clemson will play Illinois at Littlejohn Coliseum as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The two teams played a year ago, with the Tigers winning 76-74 on the road.

The Tigers host rival South Carolina on Dec. 6. They also play coach Bobby Cremins and the College of Charleston on Dec. 19, the first time the teams have faced each other since 1925.

The season starts on Nov. 13 against Presbyterian. Atlantic Coast Conference play begins on with a game at Duke on Jan. 3. The ACC home opener is on Jan. 9 against Boston College, with 2009 national champion North Carolina visiting four days later.

Clemson will not get a chance to snap its winless streak in Chapel Hill next season. The Tigers don't play in Chapel Hill.

Coach Oliver Purnell thinks the Tigers will have their hands full trying for a third straight NCAA tournament berth.

``We are looking forward to playing our most challenging schedule to date,'' Purnell said. ``It gives us an opportunity to get better and for our program to receive unprecedented exposure.''

The Tigers end the regular season at Wake Forest on March 7. The ACC Tournament begins in Greensboro, N.C., on March 11.