Tigers cannot afford a lackluster performance from Trevor Booker

CLEMSON -- If postseason success revolves around stars, Clemson has a puncher's chance with Trevor Booker, a first-team All-ACC selection.

To begin a drive toward their first ACC Tournament title at 9 p.m. today against No. 11 seed N.C. State -- and to avoid consecutive postseason stumbles -- the sixth-seeded Tigers must maximize Booker's talents.

The senior forward has disappeared at times, failing to reach double-figures in shot attempts four times in conference play, and has been held to 13 or fewer points in six ACC games.

Booker was limited to eight shots and six points at Wake Forest on Sunday, visibly frustrated on a number of occasions. Wake Forest used its excellent size to smother Booker with double teams and effectively take away his post game.

Clemson cannot afford another such effort.

To help Booker, the Tigers need consistent outside shooting to soften defenses. But Clemson's Andre Young said the guards can also improve their entry passes.

"I think the big thing with Trevor is the further he gets (the ball) near the goal the harder it is to stop him," Young said.

Avoiding some of the double teams falls to Booker.

Clemson needs Booker to dictate the action, rather than allow opposing defenses to do so. Booker will occasionally wait too long with the ball in the post, allowing double teams to form when a quick move could free him for a high-percentage, one-on-one opportunity near the basket.

"No question, we'd like to see him move more quickly sometimes, but it's not that easy," Clemson coach Oliver Purnell said. "Teams switch it up. Double downs come right away or they wait until he puts the ball on the floor."

The Tigers will also deploy double teams against the Wolfpack and its star forward Tracy Smith (17 ppg) tonight.

N.C. State is playing much better since its home loss to Clemson earlier this year. The Pack has won three of four games, and often plays well in the ACC Tournament. State is also a desperate team playing for its postseason lives.

Smith is the ACC's seventh-leading scorer, shooting 54 percent from the field.

And it's no longer a Wolfpack of one as State has several efficient shooters along the perimeter to take advantage of double teams. Javier Gonzalez, Dennis Horner and freshman Scott Wood are each shooting better than 35 percent from beyond the arc. It's the kind of balance Clemson tries to create.

"Offensively they are a challenge inside-out," Purnell said. "They have an identity."

Clemson would like to recapture its identity for the weekend. That identity includes an effective full-court press, a fully healthy Demontez Stitt aggressively driving and creating offense, and Booker having a C.J. Spiller-like conference championship performance to close his ACC career.

Reach Travis Sawchik at tsawchik@postandcourier.com and check out his Clemson blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/tiger_tracks