Clemson coach Oliver Purnell has lost his security blanket in Cliff Hammonds, but life goes on for the Tigers.

"He was the best leader and the most incredible student-athlete I've ever been around," Purnell said.

Despite losing Hammonds, James Mays and Sam Perry, Clemson has plenty of experience to make a second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance this season.

The concern for Purnell and his staff comes on the defensive end. However, the Tigers should be an improved offensive team - and there's little question they'll be better from the charity stripe.

Hammonds shot 46 percent from the free throw line last season, Mays was at 48 percent and Perry made 43 percent of his foul shots. The horrific free-throw shooting cost the Tigers at times a year ago.

"Offensively, without question, we should be better," Purnell said. "But the challenge for us is to get this team to defend like last year's team."

Demtontez Stitt has a year under his belt as the team's starting point guard and showed the ability to run the team and make key shots. K.C. Rivers has led the team in scoring each of the past three seasons and is one of the most underrated players in the ACC. Rivers and sophomore Terrence Oglesby are two guys who won't be affected by the new three-point line.

Trevor Booker started every game last season and needs to stay out of foul trouble and Raymond Sykes should get an opportunity to move into the starting lineup with the loss of James Mays and Sam Perry up front.

"The way we play, we've got to have depth," Purnell said.

That'll come with the addition of four freshmen - 7-foot-2 big man Catalin "Bobo" Baciu, point guard Andre Young, wing Tanner Smith and forward Bryan Narcisse.

"Bobo's so long and mobile," Purnell said. "He's going to be good; it's just a matter of when. We've never had a 7-footer like him."

HARTFORD BUILDING ON RECORD SEASON

The Hartford Hawks set a school-record with 18 Division 1 victories last season. Dan Leibovitz & Co. also finished second in the America East for the first time in the history of the program.

The Hawks return all five of their starters down the stretch last season, meaning that Leibovitz should once again have the program in contention for the league title.

But Leibovitz is concerned because he knows the America East will be improved from a year ago.

"The conference is going to be strong this year," he said. "I'm stressing with our guys that it's great we made a good run last year, but we need to work even harder this year because the competition has improved."

Jared Von Rosenberg started 21 games last season at the point and should have the ball in his hands this year. Michael Turner and last year's leading scorer, Joe Zeglinski (16.2 ppg), started every game last season at the wing spots.

Hartford went small inside with 6-foot-7 Morgan Sabia and 6-foot-5 Anthony Minor.

The Hawks brought in four freshman - including some legitimate size with a pair of 6-foot-9 kids - Genesis Maciel and Malcolm Campbell.

"We have more size than we've ever had," Leibovitz said. "We've never had anybody 6-9. We are deeper - both up front and on the perimeter, too."

"We've upgraded our talent," Leibovitz added. "Now we have to make sure our know-how catches up with our talent."

NEW MEXICO STATE'S OFF-COURT TROUBLES CONTINUE

Herb Pope transferred to Seton Hall.

Jahmar Young accepted a plea deal to avoid jail time after being charged with petty misdemeanor battery and assault. According to the Las Cruces Sun-News, the charges arose from an on-campus incident in which Young was accused of exposing himself to a woman in August 2007.

Now freshman guard Johnny Higgins, according to sources, has been kicked out of the program for his role in a pair of altercations.

Look for Higgins to wind up at a junior college.

JENNINGS SIGNS WITH UNDER ARMOUR, READY FOR FIRST GAME IN ITALY

Brandon Jennings, who will play his first game in Italy on Oct. 5, has signed a deal with Under Armour.

Jennings opted to skip college basketball and play overseas this season. Under Armour has begun to get involved with high school and college basketball.

RANDOM NOTES: Kansas expects to have an impressive group of recruits in for Midnight Madness: Xavier Henry, Dominic Cheek, Michael Snaer, Harrison Barnes and Ray McCallum. ... UMKC coach Matt Brown received an extension through the 2012-13 season. ... The Deseret News reported that BYU received a commitment from 6-foot-4 guard Tyler Haws out of Highland Lone Peak (Utah). Haws chose the Cougars over Stanford. ... The Los Angeles Times reported that Compton Dominguez coach Russell Otis was placed on leave for undisclosed reasons.