Brownell updates Shelton Mitchell's status for Duke

David Hood by Senior Writer -

CLEMSON - Clemson head coach Brad Brownell told the media Friday afternoon that junior guard Shelton Mitchell is unlikely to play Sunday.

Mitchell was struck in the head during the final seconds of overtime by an FSU player and stayed down on the floor for several minutes before being carried off the floor. The Tigers ended up losing the game in overtime.

"I haven't talked to the doctors. I would assume it's unlikely he would play," Brownell said of Mitchell. "I haven't talked to anybody today but I will as soon as we get done here. I think it is unlikely he will be out there practicing today at all and be out there Sunday."

Brownell said he has to see how his team will adjust.

"We have other guys on scholarship and it's their turn to step up and play," he said. "I am wondering how we will respond to this."

Mitchell was kept at a hospital in Tallahassee overnight as a precaution. Mitchell is third on the team, averaging 11.8 points per game. He is third on the team in minutes played and leads the Tigers in assists with 96. Clemson lost senior wing Donte Grantham a few weeks ago and can ill afford to have a prolonged absence for Mitchell. Clemson is 4-2 since Grantham tore his ACL.

The Tigers are 20-5 and ranked No. 11 nationally headed into Sunday’s showdown with Duke. The Blue Devils are 21-5 overall, ranked 12th and are tied for second with Clemson in the ACC at 9-4. The top four seeds in the ACC standings get a two-day bye in the ACC Tournament, which will be held this year at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.