GAME NOTES: The Clemson Tigers are in the Paradise Jam for the third time in school history, and are set to take on the Runnin' Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb on Friday afternoon.

The Tigers, who have a record of 4-2 in this event and played in the title game against Miami back in 2001, have split the first two games of the 2014-15 campaign. The squad opened with an 86-41 thrashing of Florida A&M, but then bowed to Winthrop by three points on Monday, 77-74.

The Bulldogs are also 1-1 out of the gate, losing to LSU last weekend (93-82), before topping the College of Charleston earlier this week, 80-67, in the home opener.

With respect to the all-time series between these two schools on the hardwood, the Tigers have won all four previous encounters.

Clemson led by as many as seven points in the first half and owned a slim 36-34 advantage at the break versus Winthrop on Monday, but in the second half the Tigers shot only 14-of-24 at the free-throw line and allowed the Eagles to convert 6-of-14 behind the 3-point line, en route to the three-point road win.

In a game that featured 11 ties and 13 lead changes, the Tigers had four starters score in double figures, led by Landry Nnoko who not only tallied 19 points, he grabbed nine rebounds and made five blocks, but at the same time he was charged with seven turnovers without the benefit of a single assist. Donte Grantham tallied 13 points, Jaron Blossomgame 12 points and eight boards, followed by Rod Hall with 11 points.

Through two games, Nnoko is posting a team-best 17.0 ppg as he shoots 68.8 percent from the floor, which is actually better than his 66.7 percent effort at the free-throw line. Grantham pitches in with 12.5 ppg and Blossomgame 11.0 ppg and 7.0 rpg as the team outrebounds the competition by 10.5 rpg.

Against Charleston a few nights back, the Runnin' Bulldogs went from a one- point lead at the break to a double-digit victory as they shot 53.6 percent from the floor after intermission. Tyrell Nelson recorded a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds, as did Jerome Hill who had the same number of boards and 18 points. Converting 6-of-9 behind the 3-point line, Jarvis Davis finished with a game-high 22 points, while Tyler Strange came up two assists shy of his own double-double as he tallied 12 points.

The Bulldogs have used just eight players in their two games, so it only makes sense that several performers are scoring in double figures heading into this matchup, led by Hill and his 21.5 ppg. Nelson checks in with 17.5 ppg and is tied with Hill for the team-lead with 8.5 rpg. Davis (16.5 ppg) and Strange (13.0 ppg, 7.5 apg) are also key contributors to their 81.0 ppg.

The Bulldogs can certainly dial up the offense, but if they again use a short bench they'll probably run into trouble during this tournament