Duke players like how they have bonded through all sorts of situations this season. The No. 2 Blue Devils will be put to the test again Saturday night at Clemson.
“I think, with this group, it’s how together we are,” Duke guard Tyrese Proctor said. “I think that’s the biggest thing that I’ve noticed, off the court and on the court, how connected we are. We all play for each other. We all have each other’s back.”
The Blue Devils (20-2, 12-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) have been rolling without interruption, bringing a 16-game winning streak into a game that at this stage looks like perhaps their biggest remaining challenge on the league docket.
Although Clemson’s bid to be a threat in the ACC took a dip earlier this week, the Tigers (18-5, 10-2) can climb back in a hurry if they knock off the Blue Devils.
Duke hammered host Syracuse 83-54 on Wednesday night. Proctor made four 3-pointers and led five Blue Devils in double figures with 16 points.
“We have to flip the page, obviously, very quickly as we move forward,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said.
Clemson had a more frustrating experience earlier this week with an 89-88 triple-overtime loss to visiting Georgia Tech on Tuesday. The Tigers fell to 1-3 this season in a games that extended beyond regulation.
“Just flush it,” Clemson guard Chase Hunter said. “We’ve got two big games coming up. So just flush it, try to move on. Learn from it.”
When Proctor has hit at least three 3-pointers, the Blue Devils are 8-1 this season and 21-2 in his three-year career.
Duke freshman sensation Cooper Flagg registered only 11 points in the Syracuse game, taking just seven shots over 28 minutes.
“I think the fact that we have multiple weapons that can stand up, that can really impact the game by scoring in addition to making plays, is a big weapon for our team,” Scheyer said.
Clemson coach Brad Brownell said his team must shore up its defensive rebounding after Georgia Tech pulled down 24 offensive boards that led to 29 second-chance points.
“I’ve told the guys that it’s going to cost us a game,” Brownell said.
Ian Schieffelin matched his career high with 23 points against the Yellow Jackets.
Hunter (17.7 points per game) and Schieffelin (12.8) are Clemson’s top scorers, and Schieffelin adds a team-high 9.5 rebounds per game.
Given the grueling nature of the game against Georgia Tech, with Hunter and Jaeden Zackery both logging more than 50 minutes, Brownell acknowledged that concessions would need to be made in practice before the Duke game.
“Sometimes you get surprised by a few things,” Brownell said of potential ailments that could arise.
A victory for Duke on Saturday would give the Blue Devils their longest winning streak since opening the 2005-06 season with 17 consecutive triumphs.
Duke reserve Mason Gillis didn’t make the trip to Syracuse because of illness, and his status was questionable for the trip to Clemson. He averages 4.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per game.
–Field Level Media
