When PJ Hall, Hunter Tyson might be back for Clemson basketball

CLEMSON — As Clemson basketball enters the final week of the regular season, there is still some uncertainty as far as when PJ Hall and Hunter Tyson will return to the court.

Tyson, who is Clemson’s senior leader, has been out since Feb. 2 with a broken clavicle. Hall, who leads the Tigers in scoring, has missed nearly three full games with a left foot injury.

Tigers coach Brad Brownell spoke Monday on the ACC coaches teleconference and provided the latest on both players.

“In terms of Hunter and PJ, I don’t know yet,” Brownell said. “PJ won’t practice today. He never practices two days before [a game]. Is there a chance he could practice a little bit Tuesday and play Wednesday? Possibly. I don’t know.”

The news was a little more encouraging on Tyson but still not great.

“Hunter’s going to try to do some stuff today for the first time physically in terms of like competing 5-on-5. So we’ll have to see how that goes for a couple of days,” Brownell said. “There’s a chance maybe he could play Wednesday. It’s not guaranteed at all. Maybe more likely for the weekend, hopefully, if things go well this week. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Hall leads Clemson with an average of 15.5 points per game, while Tyson is third with an average of 10.4 points per game. The two are also two of the better rebounders on the team.

Clemson G Chase Hunter heating up

Without Tyson and Hall, Clemson has needed others to step up.

Several players have helped fill their void as the Tigers have won back-to-back games heading into Wednesday’s matchup with Georgia Tech, but no one has been more important than Chase Hunter.

Over the past two games, Hunter has scored 23 and 21 points while connecting on 17 of his 21 field goal attempts.

In Saturday’s road win over Boston College, Hunter put up 23 points, 7 rebounds a block and a steal.

“Certainly love the way Chase has played. Last week he was very efficient. I think his confidence is growing, as you would expect for a guy who’s playing as well as he is,” Brownell said. “He’s a guy that hasn’t played quite as much and all of a sudden he starts to have a little success, that’s been great to see. Tremendous growth.”