The ninth-ranked Blue Devils will look to stay perfect in conference play Wednesday when they head to Greenville, S.C, to take on Clemson. With a win, Duke would become one of two programs in the nation to reach the 200 win-mark this decade. The Tigers are on a roll of their own and will look to win their third consecutive conference game. Before each game, the Chronicle takes a look at one player from each team who could be the difference maker in Duke's upcoming contest:
Duke: guard Matt Jones
Lost amidst the dazzle of the Blue Devils’ stellar offensive performance Saturday afternoon was Jones’s quiet, yet effective performance. The 6-foot-5 guard was the last of the Duke starters to reach double figures—finishing with 13 points—and plays a more slow-and-steady style than some of his teammates. Jones hoisted up just 10 shots—making five, including three 3-pointers—and did not attempt a single free throw. Toss in a pair of assists and only two turnovers and it is easy to see his impact on the floor.
With senior co-captain Amile Jefferson still sidelined by a right foot injury, the DeSoto, Texas, native will need to remain the team’s vocal leader going forward. Duke shot an efficient 47 percent from the field Saturday, but in an upset of No. 21 Louisville Sunday, a stifling Clemson defense held the Cardinals to just 35 percent from the floor. Last season, the Tigers effectively neutralized Jones—who had just five points and was just 2-of-7 from the field—and forced the Blue Devils’ scoring to come from other options.
Expect much of the same in this year’s matchup, as Brad Brownell’s squad looks to take down its second ranked opponent of the season and extend its ACC winning streak to four games. Louisville was able to knock down just 3-of-23 shots from beyond the arc Sunday and if the Tigers can contain Jones and the Blue Devils from downtown, it could spell trouble for a Duke team looking to remain perfect in conference play.
Clemson: forward Jaron Blossomgame
Clemson’s leading scorer and rebounder for the season certainly came to play as the Tigers knocked off the Cardinals at home last weekend. Blossomgame posted a near double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds and knocked down a pair of free throws in the final minute to help seal the deal for his team. But Sunday’s game was not an anomaly for the Alpharetta, Ga., native. After redshirting in 2012-13, the redshirt junior led Clemson in scoring and rebounding last season and is doing the same this season with averages of 15.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
Blossomgame’s athleticism at the 3-spot will likely force Blue Devil head coach Mike Krzyzewski to utilize a variety of defenders and schemes to defend him. Look for Jones, freshmen Luke Kennard and Brandon Ingram to all take turns covering the focal point of the Tigers’ offensive attack. Given that the Blue Devils are scoring just a touch more than 88 points per game, Clemson will need a good deal of scoring from not just Blossomgame, but from guard Avry Holmes and forward Donte Grantham to put up more than just their season average of 69.6 points per game.
If Blossomgame can get hot Wednesday, the floor should open up for the rest of the Tigers. Four of five starters posted double-digits in their last contest and Blossomgame will need all the help he can get against the nation’s ninth-ranked team.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.
Twitter: @mpgladstone13
A junior from just outside Philadelphia, Mitchell is probably reminding you how the Eagles won the Super Bowl this year and that the Phillies are definitely on the rebound. Outside of The Chronicle, he majors in Economics, minors in Statistics and is working toward the PJMS certificate, in addition to playing trombone in the Duke University Marching Band. And if you're getting him a sandwich with beef and cheese outside the state of Pennsylvania, you best not call it a "Philly cheesesteak."