Clemson seeks upset of rival No. 22 South Carolina (Dec 21, 2016)
PJ Dozier doesn't need to be briefed on the significance when South Carolina and Clemson square off on the basketball court.
The Gamecocks' sophomore grew up in Columbia and his father, Perry, and uncle, Terry, both played at South Carolina in the late 1980s.
So Dozier is well-versed in what is at stake when the 22nd ranked Gamecocks (9-1) host Clemson on Wednesday.
"I definitely understand the importance of winning that game," Dozier said at a press conference. "The next game is always the most important game we play.
"We know that it is a game that we have to win, not only for us for our record but for the fans as well."
The Tigers (8-2) bring a six-game winning streak into the contest after notching a 67-54 win at Alabama on Saturday in their first true road contest of the season.
Clemson's chances of defeating South Carolina may depend on well it defends the red-hot Dozier.
The 6-foot-6 guard will be looking to reach 20 points for the fifth consecutive game. He scored a career-best 23 as the Gamecocks posted a 77-66 road win over South Florida on Saturday.
"PJ continues to develop into a real, real good basketball player," South Carolina coach Frank Martin said at a press conference.
Dozier's run has been timely as leading scorer Sindarius Thornwell (18.7 average) has missed the past three games due to a suspension for violating team rules. Thornwell will again sit out Wednesday and isn't expected to be reinstated until early January.
Meanwhile, Dozier is averaging 21 points over the past four games while doing more than picking up the slack. The spurt has raised his season average to 14.5.
Dozier also is making superb contributions on the defensive end while helping South Carolina limit opponents to 57.7 points and 34.6 percent shooting from the field. He leads the SEC with 24 steals and has recorded three or more on five occasions.
Clemson features a solid player of its own in senior forward Jaron Blossomgame, who is averaging 17.6 points per game.
Blossomgame ranks 18th in school history with 1,325 points, and needs 17 points to pass Larry Nance (1977-81), the school legend who went on to be a three-time NBA All-Star.
Martin has gotten a close look at Blossomgame during his tenure and said is it tough to deal with his tenacity.
"What makes him a matchup problem is that he is a very aggressive player," Martin said. "There are some guys who are multitalented who are unaggressive that are easy to deal with. He's just very aggressive and goes after that ball. And when the ball is in his hands, he goes after the rim and those guys are hard to deal with."
The Tigers aren't a one-man gang as four other players are also scoring in double digits.
Junior guard Gabe DeVoe and senior guard Avry Holmes are both averaging 11.2 points and share the team lead of 21 3-pointers. Junior forward Donte Grantham averages 10.8 points and sophomore point guard Shelton Mitchell is at 10.7 after impressing coach Brad Brownell with a career-high 18 points versus Alabama.
"He played with great poise," said Brownell, "the mark of a good point guard."
Senior center Sidy Djitte also is a solid contributor and is averaging 8.7 points and a team-best 10.0 rebounds.
The Tigers are limiting opponents to 32.3 percent shooting from 3-point range and that could pose troubles for South Carolina guard Duane Notice.
Notice, who averages 11.1 points, is a streaky shooter. The senior went 1 of 18 from the field in a three-half stretch against Seton Hall and South Florida -- including 1 of 11 from 3-point range -- before going 4-for-4 from 3-point range in the second half against South Florida to help the Gamecocks notch the comeback victory.
"I had the confidence and the green light to keep shooting because of the work that I put in," Notice said at a press conference. "I always tell myself I just need one to go in. I feel like once one goes in, I will make every shot after that."
South Carolina has won the past two meetings and four of the past six.
Brownell is hoping the momentum of the Alabama win will carry over.
"It was big. That's what you got to do in road games," Brownell said. "Make big shots, you know the home team's going to make a run or two."
