Clemson takes centerstage, Cassell and NBA

I got my first real taste of watching Clemson baseball this past weekend. Unfortunately, the Tigers got eliminated by the Florida in the NCAA Tournament.

For me, I was watching it live when Florida’s Jac Caglianone crushed a 3-run homer on Saturday to lead the Gators to a 10-7 win. That was rough!

Still, I’d like to say “congrats” to the Clemson baseball program. One heck of a run!

Clemson football notes: I still bump into several Clemson University sports fans who say that they only follow Tigers football. It’s under 100 nights before the Clemson football team will be hosting Appalachian State in Death Valley on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. on the ACC Network.

The kickoff times were recently announced for the first three weeks of the 2024 football season.

The Tigers have their first of two scheduled open dates the following weekend on Saturday, Sept. 14, before they host North Carolina State the following weekend.

Clemson’s Aug. 31 season-opener against Georgia (at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was recently announced as a noon kickoff on ABC.

It should be interesting if Clemson starts allowing liquor to be drank inside the stadium (among the fan sections - not the special seating areas).

South Carolina, meanwhile, will open its season at Williams-Brice Stadium against Old Dominion at 4:15 p.m. on the SEC Network on Saturday, Aug. 31. The Gamecocks then travel to Kentucky for their SEC opener on Saturday, Sept. 7. That kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on ABC.

Cassell against Clemson: Former Green Wave pitcher Parker Cassell pitched recently against Clemson in the NCAA Regionals. Cassell is a right-handed pitcher for Coastal Carolina.

Next level golf: Is anyone from the Easley area going to the US Open (from June 10-16) at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in North Carolina?

NBA Hoops: Do you think Connecticut’s Dan Hurley will sign a long-term contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. I hope not! I still love college hoops way more than the NBA - even though the NBA Finals of Boston and Dallas has caught my attention.