Associated Press
The college basketball notebook …
CLEMSON, S.C. ó Clemson men’s basketball coach Oliver Purnell says he’s no different from many who’ve watched loved ones stricken and killed by cancer.
Now, Purnell, wife Vicky and the Tigers get the chance to help others fight the disease.
Purnell discussed plans for his newly created Coaches vs. Cancer preseason fundraiser, “Oliver & Vicky Purnell’s Tigerfest 2008,” to be held on campus Oct. 7. Coaches vs. Cancer is a partner with the American Cancer Society.
Purnell saw both his grandparents die from cancer. Vicky Purnell lost an aunt and an uncle.
“This is something that we’ve wanted to do since coming to Clemson five years ago,” Purnell said. “But we had a couple of things on our plate that we needed to do first. We feel like now is the time.”
Purnell has spent the past five seasons reviving Clemson basketball. Last season, the Tigers advanced to the ACC tournament title game for the first time in 46 years. They reached the NCAA tournament for the first time in a decade.
With the program on more solid footing, Purnell saw the chance to act.
“We still don’t have the time to do it,” Purnell added, “but it feels like every day that we don’t get involved, we’re missing an opportunity.”
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON
CHARLESTON, S.C. ó An eight-team basketball tournament featuring Clemson and Temple will open the College of Charleston’s new arena this fall.
ESPN Regional Television and the College of Charleston announced the event Wednesday.
Other teams joining the Tigers, Owls and host Cougars at the Carolina First Center from Nov. 14-16 are East Tennessee State, Hofstra, Texas Christian and Western Michigan.
Organizers say a final team is still to be determined.
College of Charleston coach Bobby Cremins says he’s excited to open the new court with a high-quality event.
The Cougars are moving to the 5,000-seat Carolina First Center after 24 seasons playing in the John Kresse Arena.
TEMPLE
PHILADELPHIA ó Temple men’s basketball coach Fran Dunphy on Wednesday signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the school through the end of the 2013-14 season.
Dunphy led the Owls to a 21-13 record and an Atlantic 10 championship last season, giving Temple its first NCAA tournament berth in seven years.
Dunphy has posted a 33-31 record in the two seasons since he replaced John Chaney.