By Will Vandervort.

Clemson and Duke could be without their leading scores when the two ACC foes get together on Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C.

Duke’s Jahlil Okafor and Clemson’s Jaron Blossomgame are both nursing ankle injuries and both are questionable for the 4 p.m. tip off. Okafor injured his ankle in the Blue Devils’ victory over North Carolina on Wednesday night, while Blossomgame sprained his during Thursday’s practice in Clemson.

Okafor is averaging 17.9 points and 9.4 rebounds a game for the 23-3 Blue Devils, while Blossomgame leads the Tigers with 12.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game.

Blossomgame missed the last three games of last season after injuring his leg in the first-round of the NIT. Of course two years ago he missed the entire season after suffering a compound fracture before coming to Clemson.

The latest setback for the redshirt junior does not appear to be as serious, though Blossomgame did not practice on Friday.

“He was walking this afternoon, and he was better today than yesterday,” Clemson head coach Brad Brownell said. “I don’t know that he’ll be 100 percent. If he is, great! Is the adrenaline enough to keep him going? Or will it be too painful in the first five minutes?

“We don’t want to risk further injury. He’ll want to play because of the environment. We won’t know until game time. We practiced early this morning, to go ahead and get up there.”

Okafor is likely a game-time decision as well. Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski says his freshman center was a little sore after the North Carolina game and that he wasn’t sure what his status for the Clemson game was going to be.

Brownell says the Tigers (15-11, 7-7 ACC) have to prepare as if he is going to play.

“It changes things (if he’s limited), but they’re’ still very good,” Brownell said. “He’s a big part of what everybody does. I’d be shocked if he doesn’t play. Jaron tweaked his ankle yesterday, and it hasn’t made national news that he’s been in a boot. We’re hopeful he’ll play.”

With or without Okafor Clemson will have its hands full against the Blue Devils (21-3, 10-3 ACC). Duke has three other players averaging in double figures, including guard Quinn Cook, who is averaging 15.1 points per game.

“Their pace is very good. Quinn Cook is very good, and they play two combo guards (Tyus Jones) that can both score 20, make shots and handle against pressure,” Brownell said. “It’s a great luxury, and it’s one of the reasons they’re very good.”

Jones is averaging 11.7 points and 5.4 assist per game, while Justise Winslow is averaging 11.5 points per game. Amile Jefferson is averaging eight points and 6.6 rebounds per night.

“Their other pieces are good. Jefferson is an underrated player,” Brownell said. “If he was on another team he’d score more points. He’s an unselfish kid that rebounds, defends and gets timely baskets. Then, Justise Winslow is a pro too. He plays two positions and handles the ball like a guard. He’s strong enough to play like a power forward.

“They’re playing very well right now. The wins they have on the road, and what they’ve done recently, is very impressive. Great opportunity for us; there’s really no pressure on us. We just have to go play. They score so many points that you’re going to have to score. That’s obviously a challenge for us, because we don’t shoot as well. But if you’re a competitor, you want to be in this kind of environment and go have some fun with it.”