Why Duke is the Tigers Statement Game in the ACC

Players and fans approach games differently. An obvious statement to make, but it once again will be proven true when Duke travels to Clemson Saturday. The game represents the Tigers statement game, certainly for the first half of the ACC season, just because its Duke.

Clemson players know they still have 13 games to play after Saturday. The Tigers travel to Wake Forest Tuesday, and that games means just as much in the standings. Head Coach Brad Brownell must make sure his team is just as invested and prepared for that game as they should be Saturday.

On the other hand seasons when Clemson struggled in basketball fans still packed Littlejohn for the Duke and North Carolina games. No games moved the needle more, which is why this game matters so much. Beating the Blue Devils grabs skeptical fans attention, regardless of if Duke is ranked or not. Clemson rarely beats Duke so expect fans to storm the court in celebration, whether or not the Tigers are favored to win.

Where the Tigers Have the Advantage over Duke

For a number of years under former Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski Duke shot threes at a very high level. The Blue Devils were always one of the best in the country in three point field goals made or percentage. At least for this year that has changed.

Under first year Head Coach Jon Scheyer Duke ranks 14th out of 15 ACC teams in shooting from long range. Duke, even more so than under Coach K, has become a defensive minded, inside scoring team. The Blue Devils rely on using their defense to translate into transition offense to score. That is how they turned the game around in the second half against Pittsburgh Wednesday.

Clemson can take advantage of Duke’s poor three point shooting in two ways: one because the Tigers shoot threes well, and because the Blue Devils will once again be without guard Jeremy Roach, who is nursing a toe injury. A veteran guard, Roach’s playmaking and ability to set up shooters will be missed. Expect Clemson to pack the paint at times and make Duke prove it can hit from long range.

Where the Tigers May Struggle Against the Blue Devils

Yes, Clemson shoots well from three, but the Tigers season actually changed when they decided to lean on scoring inside a little more. They had the players to do it as Hunter Tyson and PJ Hall are both having excellent seasons. Tyson’s play, in particular, is at an All-ACC level.

Duker center Kyle Filipowski represents Hall’s and Tyson’s biggest challenge defensively this season. The Freshman put in 28 points and grabbed 15 rebounds against Pittsburgh, his best game of the season. Just like the rest of the Duke team he struggles on the road. Hall and Tyson must stay out foul trouble defending Filipowski. Both are too valuable and behind them are far more inexperienced players, Ben Middlebrooks, Ian Schiefflein, and RJ Godfrey.

For as well as Clemson shoots from long range Duke is just as good defending the three. Chase Hunter must find a way to not only score but set up shooters as well. Clemson ranks second in assists in the ACC, trailing only Virginia, and the Tigers must continue to share the ball well to win games against the better competition in the conference.

Can Clemson Continue Best Ever ACC Start Against Duke?

Traditionally Littlejohn has been a tough place to play, even when the Tigers had down seasons. The Tigers winning their first three ACC road games is nice, but the team is still much better at home. They have yet to lose a home game this season. As mentioned before Tigers basketball crowds are different for games against Duke and North Carolina. Littlejohn should be full and very loud tomorrow.

The Blue Devils-Tigers game matches freshmen talent versus experience. That young freshman talent, as mentioned before, has struggled away from Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils win against Boston College this past Saturday was their first true road win of the season.

If Clemson wants to make the NCAA Tournament a win against Duke goes a long way to making a better case for them. Fans and analysts view this as the Tigers statement game so far this season. The Tigers must continue to pile up wins due to their two preconference bad losses. Roach’s absence hurts Duke, and given the Blue Devils youth and inexperience, I expect Clemson to find a way to win tomorrow. It is what the team has done most of the season, and improving to 7-0 in the ACC will grab everyone’s attention. If they win tomorrow they will have just beaten Duke, after all.

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