Duke Basketball: 3 keys to beating ACC 1st-place Clemson Tigers

2. Clemson’s defense is better than it appears on paper

There are two keys that have propelled the Tigers’ 6-0 start in ACC play. One is being a top-40 three-point shooting team, while the other is having one of the top defenses in the league as well. They don’t force a ton of turnovers or block many shots but rarely do you get an open shot against them. And they’ve been without their top three-point shooter and arguably best perimeter defender in Alex Hemenway, who has been out for the past couple of weeks with a foot injury.

It’s questionable Hemenway’s status for the game but Clemson has plenty of backcourt depth. Guard Chase Hunter (14.5 ppg and 4.5 apg) has been clutch for the team all season, while Boston College transfer Brevin Galloway has been a double-digit scorer and starter as a newcomer.

Assuming there’s no Roach, this has to be a game where Tyrese Proctor plays well. And that means avoiding foul trouble guarding Hunter on the other end. It’s going to be difficult for Duke if the offense struggles and while the Tigers don’t grab offensive rebounds, they’re very good with the defensive boards. Compared to Pitt, this team has 6’10 Hall, and 6’8 Ian Schieffelin plus 6’10 Ben Middlebrooks off the bench, both of whom are capable scorers as well.

Between a what should be hostile road crowd against a team that has the ability to defend, Duke will need all hands on deck, especially from the freshman. But which one is most key to winning?