Defense name of Clemson-Duke game

If you’re a basketball coach, get a hold of the game film from the first half of the Clemson vs. Duke ACC final at Bobcats Arena.

Show it to your players. They will learn a lot about how to play defense.

Both teams are starting their half-court offenses about five feet beyond the 3-point arc because the ball pressure is so intense. Clemson’s full-court press forced 11 first-half turnovers, and Duke’s half-court pressure caused 10 turnovers.

Clemson seniors Sam Perry and Cliff Hammonds have three steals apiece, and both teams are shooting just under 43 percent from the field as Duke leads 31-30.

Speaking of Hammonds, he was grimacing late in the first half and holding his heavily taped right wrist. The wrist has been fractured for a couple weeks, but Hammonds still had one of the best individual halves of anybody in the tournament.

Hammonds scored 11 points, including three 3-pointers, in the first half. He also knocked the ball away from two Duke players on one incredible, full-court pursuit before saving the ball inbounds to a Clemson player.

He ran about 15 yards off the playing floor before he could turn around and hustle back into the play. There are other players with more skill, but few can match Hammonds’ heart.
– Ken Tysiac