On Booker and Jennings

After last night's trouncing of Alabama State, Devin Booker was asked if he's planning on getting in any surfing on the trip to Hawaii. He laughed and said he might give it a try.

Booker's approach to basketball thus far has been a bit too much of the "hang loose" variety.

I asked Booker about the lack of intensity, and he acknowledged it's an issue that needs to get resolved between now and when the Tigers start ACC play.

"We've definitely got to step it up," he said. "I wouldn't say we've played to the best of our ability. We've definitely got to step it up and play with more intensity."

Booker was referring to himself and Milton Jennings. The overall fortunes of this season probably hinge on these two talented juniors, and Brad Brownell has been frustrated by their inconsistency thus far.

Last night was just the third time in 10 games this season that the duo has scored in double figures in the same game, and they are simply going to have to be better if Clemson is going to have a shot at making it five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.

Booker and Jennings were productive last night, and they should've been given Alabama State's glaring lack of size. Jennings seemed to play with a determined edge after missing 17 of 23 shots his previous four games. Booker still has spells of lackadaisical play, periods during which he doesn't really fight for position or set screens with purpose.

Just too much half-hearted effort from the big guy. His older brother Trevor wasn't immune to some lazy spurts, but he went after people (and the rim) with an aggression and nastiness that Devin has not shown much of thus far.

Before the season, when I asked Devin what he worked hardest on during the offseason, it spoke volumes when he said his outside shot.

One recent positive has been the emergence of other options in the post. Catalin Baciu still plays too small for his 7-foot-2 frame, still goes after rebounds too timidly, but he's getting better. Bernard Sullivan has shown some offensive craftiness in the last three games as his minutes have increased. And K.J. McDaniels is athletic enough to be an interior menace when the level of competition heats up.

But Booker and Jennings need to grab this season by the throat the same way Demontez Stitt and Jerai Grant did it at the same point last year.

Surf's up.

LW