GAME NOTES: The unbeaten Clemson Tigers roar into Charlotte tonight, as they do battle with the 49ers in non-conference play at Halton Arena. The Tigers have been impressive early on, winning all four of their outings, including three by 12 or more points. The team opened its 2008-09 campaign at the Charleston Classic, where it posted wins in three straight days to claim the inaugural tournament title. Clemson followed that run up with a 93-40 trouncing of Wofford in its home opener on Wednesday. The 53-point triumph marked the largest margin of victory for the Tigers since they blasted Georgia State, 117-59, in 1990. As for Charlotte, it enters the tilt riding a two-game slide following a 77-59 victory over UNC-Greensboro in its opener. Most recently, the team took on Appalachian State, falling 87-84 in double-overtime on Wednesday. It was the second straight narrow defeat, as the 49ers were downed 69-68 by Old Dominion on Sunday. In terms of the all-time series, Clemson holds a 3-2 edge over Charlotte, although the 49ers upset the 18th- ranked Tigers, 82-72, last season.

The Tigers shot 52.3 percent from the field and scored 38 points off 21 Wofford turnovers, as they cruised to victory on Wednesday. Clemson won the battle on the boards, 39-30, and also held a 42-20 advantage in points in the paint. Leading the way was Terrence Oglesby, who turned in 15 points on 4-of-6 field goals. Raymond Sykes added 14 points and eight boards and K.C. Rivers finished with 13 points and six rebounds. On the year, Oglesby tops the roster in scoring with 15.0 ppg and Rivers checks in with 13.3 ppg and 5.3 rpg. Trevor Booker is averaging a double-double with 12.0 ppg and a team-best 11.3 rpg, while Sykes is contributing 10.3 ppg and 6.5 rpg. As a team, the Tigers are averaging a healthy 84.2 ppg and holding their opponents to just 59.8 ppg.

Javarris Barnett's three-point attempt at the buzzer was off the mark, as the 49ers dropped an 87-84 double-overtime decision at Appalachian State on Wednesday. It was a tough way to finish for Charlotte, which shot 42.7 percent from the floor, but was outscored at the foul line 23-14. An'Juan Wilderness guided the squad in the setback with 17 points and three assists, while Ian Andersen posted 15 points. DiJuan Harris contributed 12 points and five steals and Lamont Mack had 11 points in the losing cause. On the season, Mack leads the 49ers in both scoring (14.3 ppg) and rebounding (5.3 rpg), although he is shooting just 32.4 percent from the floor. Wilderness puts forth 12.3 ppg for Charlotte, which is netting 76.3 ppg as a team this season.

Clemson is off to a great start, but not a surprising one considering its talent level. Expect the Tigers to pull away late in this one, using their size and speed to exploit the 49ers.