What Brevin Galloway injury means to Clemson basketball's already ailing backcourt

If Clemson basketball was certain that two other injured guards were ready to return, the injury to Brevin Galloway wouldn’t be such a big deal.

But it might be a significant setback, even if only in the short term.

Galloway, a graduate student from Anderson, needed emergency groin surgery Thursday and is expected to miss at least a couple of games. The No. 23 Tigers (17-4, 9-1) play Saturday (5 p.m., ACC Network) at Florida State (7-14, 5-5) and Tuesday at Boston College (10-11, 4-6).

With point guard Chase Hunter and shooting guard Alex Hemenway still questionable because of foot injuries, the Tigers' guard situation becomes a potential nightmare. Clemson coach Brad Brownell said after Tuesday’s 72-51 win against Georgia Tech that Hunter was close to returning, a game-time decision, and it was decided he would be best-served by four more days off. He has missed three straight games.

Hemenway has missed nine straight games with plantar fasciitis. He is improving, Brownell said, but doesn’t appear as close to a return as Hunter.

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Without Hunter, Hemenway and Galloway, the Tigers’ three starting guards for the first dozen games, Clemson will rely more than ever on the emergence of freshmen. Josh Beadle started two games in place of Hunter. In the win against Georgia Tech, it was Hunter’s younger brother, Dillon Hunter, taking over that role and reaching career highs in minutes (35) and points (nine). Both will have crucial responsibilities on this road trip, especially if Chase Hunter is not able to play.

Beadle has struggled recently, failing to score in the past two games and playing only three minutes against Georgia Tech. Three games ago, he had eight points in 14 minutes against Wake Forest. Beadle has 3-point shooting potential but is just 3-for-18. Dillon Hunter has actually been worse on 3-pointers, going only 1-for-12. Galloway has the second-most 3-pointers on the team (32) but at only 33%. He gave Clemson an immediate spark against Georgia Tech, however, by making two in the opening minutes and another in an 8-0 run after the Yellow Jackets had pulled within three.

Chase Hunter and Hemenway are two of the best 3-point shooters in the ACC. Hemenway at the time of his injury led the league at 50% (27-for-54) and Hunter, who ranks first in the team in assists (77) and second in scoring (14.0), was shooting 40.3 percent on 3-pointers (29-for-72).

Clemson has the ability to go with a bigger lineup with Ian Schieffelin and the emerging 6-foot-10 freshman Chauncey Wiggins, who had 12 points in the last game. Florida State, however, has been using a guard-oriented lineup and that is sure to continue with the Tigers’ injury situation.

Todd Shanesy covers Clemson athletics for the USA TODAY Network.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Brevin Galloway injury: Clemson basketball guards were already hurting