The Blue Devils are getting ready take on Clemson at 9:30 p.m. at the Greensboro Coliseum. Before every basketball game, we’ll break down a player on each team who could be the difference-maker in the upcoming contest.
Duke: guard Rasheed Sulaimon
The last time these two teams squared off, Sulaimon was in the midst of a crippling slump that severely impacted his playing time. In just 12 minutes in his team's Jan. 11 loss Clemson, Sulaimon scored just two points and picked up four quick fouls. Duke shot only 34 percent from the field in that contest. However, Sulaimon’s stock has shot up in the past two months, and he has scored at least 10 points in each of his last three games, including 15 point, five assists and four rebound performance Feb. 25 against Virginia Tech.
Sulaimon has transformed into a critical role player for the Blue Devils and has demonstrated that he can knock down long range shots and get to the rim. He also has 10 assists in the last three games, which is a testament that he has become comfortable playing in the offense and is looking to find Duke’s prolific scoring duo of Jabari Parker and Rodney Hood. If Sulaimon can can carry this momentum into tonight’s game, look for him to be an impact player as the Blue Devils seek revenge against Clemson.
Fan's pick: Rasheed Sulaimon wins with 38.9% of the vote. Marshall Plumlee second with 33.3%.
Clemson: forward Jaron Blossomgame
Blossomgame made a late impact in last night’s game against Georgia Tech, scoring eight of his nine points late in the second half and in overtime to propel the Tigers into a quarterfinal meeting with the Blue Devils. His numbers have been wildly inconsistent, but he has managed to have a few big games this season, including a 14-point, 14-rebound game against Duke Jan. 11. Blossomgame’s monster game on the boards helped Clemson outrebound the Blue Devils 48-30 on their way to a 72-59 victory. Blossomgame’s 6-foot-7 frame makes him a threat beneath and beyond the arc, where he has shown that he can knock down open shots if left unguarded. A lot of attention will most likely be focused on All-ACC selection K.J. McDaniels tonight, but Blossomgame’s play will be crucial if the Tigers want to upset the Blue Devils for the second time this season.
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