GAME NOTES: The 19th-ranked Clemson Tigers of the ACC and the Alabama Crimson Tide of the SEC will collide in Tuscaloosa on New Year's Day. Clemson won the first 10 games of the season before finally losing to Ole Miss on December 22nd. Fortunately, the Tigers were able to get back on track with a 78-45 thrashing of Samford on Saturday. They have only played two true road games this season, and both resulted in victory. As for Alabama, it figures to enter this game with a wealth of confidence, as the team has won its last six outings to improve to 10-3 overall. The Crimson Tide are coming off Saturday's 93-57 romp over George Washington and own a 7-1 home record. The all-time series between Alabama and Clemson is tied at 3-3, and the teams haven't met since the 1989-90 campaign.

Clemson is averaging an impressive 81.6 ppg this season on the strength of 40.9 percent shooting from three-point range. The Tigers are limiting opponents to 65.1 ppg while outrebounding them by 8.6 rpg. Four players are scoring in double figures for Clemson, and K.C. Rivers leads the pack with 16.1 ppg to go along with 7.3 rpg. Terrence Ogelsby checks in with 12.1 ppg, and James Mays adds 11.4 ppg and 7.1 rpg. Rounding out the foursome is Cliff Hammonds with 10.6 ppg. Rivers scored 16 points and also tallied seven rebounds and five assists in the lopsided win over Samford on Saturday. Demontez Stitt pitched in 15 points, and Ogelsby contributed 10 points. Clemson shot 53.2 percent from the field in the tilt and earned a staggering 40-11 rebounding advantage, including a 21-2 edge on the offensive glass.

Alabama is shooting 40.5 percent from three-point range this season, and the club is averaging 78.8 ppg while limiting opponents to 70.2 ppg. The Tide are pulling down five rebounds per game more than the opposition, helping to overshadow their poor 59.4 percent free throw shooting. Richard Hendrix has been a force in the frontcourt for 'Bama, as he is averaging 19.5 ppg and 10.2 rpg to go along with 24 blocks. Hendrix is shooting 63 percent from the field, far better than his 56 percent efficiency from the foul line. Alonzo Gee adds 15.7 ppg for the Tide, and Mykal Riley is posting 14.3 ppg. Alabama finished with 25 assists against only 10 turnovers against George Washington, and the team also earned a commanding 52-33 rebounding advantage. Defensively, Alabama limited the Colonials to 34.4 percent shooting from the field.

Expect this game to go down to the wire, as Clemson and Alabama are evenly matched. Give an edge to the Tide because of the homecourt advantage and the presence of Hendrix.