Stitt likely out against Ga. Tech

CLEMSON - Andre Young showed up for Clemson's basketball practice Monday with a patch of gauze taped over the inside of his left elbow.

Young was given an IV because of a stomach bug that began wreaking havoc on his digestive system the night before.

No one seemed concerned the illness would keep the 5-foot-9 sophomore out of tonight's 7 p.m. showdown at No. 19 Georgia Tech (13-4, 2-2 ACC). But with starting point guard Demontez Stitt likely out with a sprained left foot, No. 17 Clemson (15-3, 3-1) hardly needed an ailment to befall its only other definitive ball-handler.

"Bad timing," Young deadpanned.

Especially considering Stitt, a 6-2 junior, had emerged as arguably the Tigers' second-most valuable player behind senior forward Trevor Booker, having averaged 17.3 points in three previous games against No. 7 Duke, Boston College and No. 24 North Carolina.

Stitt is listed as questionable for tonight's game, but coach Oliver Purnell said he is "very uncertain" about Stitt's availability. He said he is doubtful Stitt can be effective at this stage in his recovery.

Stitt said there is a chance he will dress out and give Clemson emergency relief if necessary but acknowledged he and team trainers are targeting Saturday's home rematch with Duke for a potential return.

Long term, that is good news for the Tigers, and Purnell said doctors do not believe he will be forced out of action for long.

Stitt went through a battery of agility tests before and during Monday's practice and said the only hindrance is when he has to sprint and shift his body weight onto the foot.

Clemson now will have to figure out how to minimize Stitt's loss to the team's offensive flow with just one other point guard - Young - at its disposal.

The other member of the starting backcourt, 6-5 sophomore Tanner Smith, could be the second option. Smith played point all four years of high school and has gotten practice work in the past as Clemson's point with a limited offensive package.

"Demontez is a certain type of player, and that type of player's not out there, so we probably have to play a little different," Purnell said.

"That's why you have a team. And with our style and eight, nine guys playing well, we can make it through."

Purnell said the Tigers basically would go without a point when Young isn't on the floor, trying to pass the ball ahead to get it up court and relying on increased player movement instead of depending on a primary dribbler and penetrator to initiate the offense.

Without Stitt's ability to push tempo, finish at the rim or create looks by driving the lane, Clemson became over-reliant on perimeter jumpers down the stretch against N.C. State, only to be saved by late free throws and a key defensive stop.

Young went 4-for-4 from 3-point range to chip in 12 momentum-swinging points in last year's 81-73 victory at Georgia Tech. Yet Purnell stressed that the Tigers will need substantial contributions from their bigs to stand a chance against the Yellow Jackets' mammoth front line.

"We just need to make sure we push the ball and get easy baskets when we can, really force our energy on them," Smith said.