Clemson efficient in win over Wake

CLEMSON — Brad Brownell has not asked his players to be something they are not. He knows 6-9 athletes with pogo sticks for legs and guard-like, ball-handling skills — McDonald’s All-American types — have not been lining up outside Littlejohn Coliseum.

But the Clemson coach has expected his team to better play within its physical capabilities. For perhaps the first time this season, Clemson reached the level of offensive efficiency Brownell has sought Saturday.

Clemson entered its 70-61 win against Wake Forest on Saturday with three more turnovers than assists on the season, but against Wake, the Tigers enjoyed a 16-to-8 assist-to-turnover ratio and a plus-7 turnover margin. It marked the most efficient offensive game of the season for Clemson (11-9, 3-3 ACC) in terms of ball security.

“I thought our ball movement was good; I thought our concentration was good,” Brownell said. “Wake is not a high-pressure team so you’re not dealing with a team that is trying to gamble. ... I think our guys have a gotten a little better offensively. I think we are a little more comfortable. I think we made more good decisions.”

Brownell noted Clemson possessed the ball so efficiently, it could have been an 80-point game had Clemson had not missed 15 of its first 16 shots, improving to finish at 41.7 percent shooting for the game. Wake Forest (11-10, 2-5) shot just 40 percent.

The player making the greatest leap in execution was forward Devin Booker.

Booker returned to the starting lineup after coming off the bench last Saturday against Georgia Tech — breaking a 43-game starting streak for Booker — a benching that appeared to have sharpened his focus.

Booker scored 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field and did not commit a turnover. Booker added seven rebounds and three assists.

“I just need to keep being aggressive,” Booker said. “In some games I tend to slack off for some odd reason but as long as I keep being aggressive, going after rebounds hard, I’ll be a factor.”

Andre Young made 7 of 12 field goals en route to a game-best 19 points. When Young shoots 40 percent or better, Clemson is 3-0 in ACC play. When Young shoots below 40 percent Clemson is 0-3 in ACC play.

Wake Forest coach Jeff Bzdelik sees a potential go-to player in Young, a player who outclassed his improved but young Demon Deacons.

“Look at his line: five assists, two steals, no turnovers, 19 points,” Bzdelik said. “It’s important to have seniors that have been around for a while and who understand this game.”

Clemson returns to play at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Virginia (ESPN2).