Dec. 13, 2001

Below are Edward Scott's answers to the selected questions that you submitted this past week to "Ask The Tigers". ClemsonTigers.com would like to thank you for all of your questions submitted. We would also like to thank Edward for his time and sincere effort with "Ask The Tigers".

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How you doing Scott?
How was it playing against your former High School teammates? (Ro & Ivan) Did you have any thoughts before the game about high school, head to head with Aaron Lucas? What were the games like with you and your teammates against Aaron and his teammates? GO TIGERS!!
Ben Thomas Jr
Columbia, SC

It was great seeing those guys again and being able to compete against them. It was too bad that we came out on the losing end, but at the same time it was fun, and it was something to look forward to, and it will be fun to look forward to next year. - Edward Scott

Ed,
How did you assess the Duke game? You guys definitely gave them a scare at times. Playing against the #1 team in the country, I think it was proof that this year's team is ready to be taken seriously in the ACC.
Chris Long
Bethesda, MD

I definitely think we played really well and didn't come out scared of Duke or their name or anything. Everybody showed that we deserve to play in this league. I think it is a great sign of what we've been trying to show as long as we've been here at Clemson. We are not going to be a team that just gives up just because everyone expects us to finish last. We are going to go out and compete every time, and play as hard as we can and just let the chips fall.- Edward Scott

Ed,
I am very impressed with our team so far this season, especially the fact that we have not been out rebounded to this point. However, winning this battle will not win the war. How do you explain our poor perimeter shooting this season? I feel this must improve if Clemson is going to be competitive this year. Thanks.
Bryan Cain
Greenville, SC

I think we have a couple of great shooters on the team. I think it is just a case of us making some shots. As the season gets deeper, our shooters will begin to make shots. Shooting is something that you really can't control. You can only practice on it and hope that when game time comes, the shots will fall. But things that we can control, such as defense and rebounding, I think we are doing a great job of up to this point. And we will continue doing that, and once the shooting picks up, I think we'll be just that much better.- Edward Scott

Hi, how are you? Well my question is: who inspired you to play basketball and if you were a definite lottery pick, be honest which NBA team would you like to play for?
Marsha Barnard
Charlotte, NC

I couldn't really pick just one person that totally inspired me to play basketball. I would have to say my household as a whole. Three older sisters, my father and my mother all played high school ball. I had a sister playing varsity at my high school ever since I was ten, so that definitely influenced me to play for.

As far as an NBA team, I really couldn't say, I'd just be happy to make it to the NBA. I really don't have team that I follow, but I kind of keep an eye out on Memphis since Will is playing there now. - Edward Scott

Ed,
I suppose you were disappointed after the SC game. I know the Tigers are much better than that. My question is, how much do you think it hurt having Chris and Ray get into foul trouble early....especially since the outside shots weren't falling.
Ron Anderton
Richmond, VA

Chris and Ray's foul trouble played a big part in the game, but at the same time, I think South Carolina did a good job at taking us out of the things that we really wanted to do. They kind of forced us into taking outside shots, which we're capable of making, but it was just one of those nights that we didn't make them. Up to this point we haven't been shooting well, so it showed that they had a great game plan and it worked. But I don't think that game plan will work too often against us with Tony Stockman and Chey Christie and Dwon, and especially when Jamar McKnight gets healthy. I know all of those guys are very capable of hitting outside shots.- Edward Scott

Edward,
What is it going to take for the Tigers to finish in the top half of the ACC this year?
Jon Bussey
Anderson, SC

The biggest thing is for us to stay together and play as a team as we have been doing of late. As long as we stay together and play as a team and come out taking the underdog role, and play harder than everyone we play, we'll be fine. I think we'll finish in the upper half of the ACC and hopefully get an NCAA bid.- Edward Scott

Edward,
How far do think this team is from becoming a legitimate threat in the ACC? As a player, I am sure that you are always optimistic, but should the fans expect a lot out of this young, albeit talented team?
Jay Fleming
Charleston, SC

We are definitely young, but one thing that we have been doing up to this point is playing consistently. Each night you can expect us to come out and play hard, and hopefully later in the season we'll be making shots. I think if we do that, you'll see a great improvement. Coach Shyatt has been doing a great job of building the offense around the talent we have, and once everyone understands the offense totally, and everyone gets used to it, and we play together and gel and get some chemistry, we should be a team to watch out for.- Edward Scott

Ed,
Cameron Indoor is generally thought of as the most difficult place to play in the country, but I wanted to know what your favorite place to play was. (excluding Littlejohn, of course)
Daniel Fletcher
Greenville, NC

Cameron is a great place to play because you get to see so much school support. The students come out and make it very tough for the opposing team. They do a great job, but my favorite place would have to be Maryland. Their fans also come out with great fan support, and are behind them 100%. So those are two tough places that I just look forward to playing at every year.- Edward Scott

Go Tigers!
Eward Scott

Next week's guest on "Ask The Tigers" is assistant AD for men's basketball operations and former Tiger basketball captain, Bruce Martin.