By Will Vandervort.

By Will Vandervort

CLEMSON — Brad Brownell told his Clemson team to get a good look at Cameron Indoor Stadium during today’s shoot around and soak in all the history and everything else that comes with playing in one of college basketball’s best venues.

After that, he wants them to forget about where they are playing and focus on one thing – knocking off top-ranked Duke. Clemson visits the Blue Devils today for a 7 p.m. tip which will be televised by ESPNU.

“You just try to tell the guys to focus on what is going on inside the lines,” Clemson’s head coach said. “You don’t worry about anything else. Other than the guys on your team and your bench, that’s all you need to look at.

“Look around during shoot around, but when the game comes, don’t worry about their crowd and don’t be sitting there watching their fans. Just lock into our guys. Focus on what we are trying to do and lock into our people that are there to help you win.”

That plan worked pretty well the last time Brownell brought a Clemson team to Cameron. The Tigers had a lead late in the second half, but then they missed a few buckets around the rim that came back to haunt them. But that was with guys like Demontez Stitt, Jerai Grant, Tanner Smith and Andre Young on the floor. With the exception of Devin Booker and Milton Jennings, Clemson will have very little experience at playing in one of the toughest environments in college basketball.

“Two years ago when we went there, we played very well,” Brownell said. “We were older and our guys played with very good poise and we executed. We did a lot of good things, but we missed a bunch of inside shots or we could have won the game or at least taken it to the wire.

“But it’s two years later and it is a different team. Duke is as good or better, probably better, and we are probably not as good right now so we have to figure out a way to make our guys feel comfortable and confident when they are playing and set up a plan that is going to give them a chance to have some success so they can gain confidence within the game.”

Clemson (8-5, 0-1 ACC) has only four wins at Cameron Indoor Stadium in its history. Those wins took place in 1976-’75, 1976-’77, 1983-’84, and 1994-’95. Clemson is 4-57 all-time in that building.

The Tigers have lost 14 in a row there and only two have come down to the wire.

“It is definitely in the top three (toughest places to play), if not number one,” Booker said. “The gym is so small and the crowd is always into it. It’s like there is a million people there. Even though there really isn’t that many. It’s definitely a hard place to play at.”

That’s why Booker said he will do his best to help his young teammates get the “awe” factor of playing at Cameron Indoor out of their system before the game tips off.

“You have to have them ready for the atmosphere. It is a crazy atmosphere,” the senior said. “I’ll try to get them prepared and let them know what it is going to be like before they experience it. They just have to play their game and ignore the outsiders.

“We have to stay in tune with what we know and keep our mindset on what we need to do on offense and defense. We have to keep our mind on Clemson.”

But like Brownell said, “Sometimes it is easier said than done.” They will find out tonight if that is indeed the case.