Clemson Tigers have a formidable task vs. Blue Devils

CLEMSON -- The last time Clemson beat Duke, in 2009, the Tigers had the most talented player on the court in forward Trevor Booker. Booker scored 21 points in a raucous Littlejohn Coliseum. Booker went on to be a first-round pick in the NBA draft.

When No. 8 Duke (14-2, 2-0 ACC) enters Littlejohn Coliseum at 6 p.m. today, Brad Brownell knows his team will be out-manned as it typically is against the Blue Devils.

While Brownell knows he doesn't have a Trevor Booker-like talent on his roster, Brownell is trying to find a Booker-like closer, a player who can be a go-to ball handler and shooter in the final crucial minutes of a game. Clemson (9-7, 1-1) missed such a player during a 59-57 loss to Boston College on Thursday.

"We're still searching for a guy who can consistently make plays in the last two or three minutes of a game when we really need him," Brownell said. "We haven't had anyone do that. That becomes problematic. We're right there. We got a lot of good looks (at Boston College). We missed a lay-up, a 10-foot shot to tie, we missed tip-ins and free throws. It's not one play, there were a handful of plays late in the game. If just somebody will make a play or two we'll win the game."

Booker's brother, Devin Booker, is the top athlete on the Clemson roster and was averaging 17 points per game in the final three non-conference games before being held to five points against Florida State and nine at Boston College.

Milton Jennings has been hot and cold. Andre Young isn't afraid to take the last shot but his lack of size and elite penetration ability off the dribble prohibits him from being a go-to scorer.

"We've tried a little bit of everybody," Brownell said. "In different games it might be a different guy. "

Without an elite scoring talent to fall back on, Clemson will try to take possessions out of the game tonight, and play strong perimeter defense against Duke's leading scorers, guards Austin Rivers (14.4 ppg) and Seth Curry (12.8 ppg).

"They are a typical Duke team," Brownell said. "They shoot the ball extremely well. They have big strong guys inside and they protect their basket very well. We're going to have to play exceptionally well."