Jim Brown's pep talk has been working all along for D'Andre Bell, but the junior guard didn't need guidance as much as he needed another chance to make it work for Georgia Tech.

Coach Paul Hewitt gave him that, moving Bell into the starting lineup eight games ago chiefly for defensive purposes.

And when Tech (11-11, 4-4 ACC) plays at Clemson (17-6, 5-4) Thursday, Bell's defense on Tigers point guard Cliff Hammonds, shooting guard K.C. Rivers and others will be key for the Yellow Jackets.

When he was depressed last season as playing time ebbed, his former AAU coach, Randolph Johnson, had a certain Hall of Fame running back make a call.

Johnson and Brown are related. Bell had previously met the former Cleveland Brown through the "Amer-I-Can" program that aids inner-city children in his hometown of Los Angeles.

"Jim Brown told me to, 'Just go out there and give it all you've got,' " Bell said. "That's all I do every game, whether I'm playing a lot or a little."

Bell's playing a lot more — 31 or more minutes in five straight games. That's more than any Tech player, and quite a swing.

As a freshman, he averaged 18-plus minutes, starting 11 games. As a sophomore, he averaged less than eight minutes, and didn't start once. The presence of guard Thaddeus Young was an impediment, plus an aborted turn at backup point guard early in the season went poorly.

His playing time was up early this season, more when he started four games at point guard. Then, back to the bench.

Now, he's starting at wing because Hewitt decided Bell helps the defense greatly. His offense is picking up steam, too.

He's averaged nine points on 51.3 percent shooting, 2.6 rebounds and nearly two steals over the past five games. His averages entering the season: 2.7 points, 36.7 percent shooting, 1.3 rebounds and 0.8 steals.

There is a lot of Mario West in Bell. Like the former Tech guard now with the Hawks, Bell tends to details with gale force effort.

"On and off the court they're similar, both very good students," Hewitt said. "D'Andre was at one of the best schools in L.A. (Palisades Charter), and he's done very, very well academically. They just take care of business."

Hewitt said Bell plays one of the best "mid-range games" he's coached at Tech, and his stop & pop jumper is becoming common. His leadership may catch up soon because he said he can tell when the Jackets lose focus.

"I learned that from the UConn game [an 80-68 loss Saturday after Tech was34 tied on his jumper with 6:51 to go]," he said. "We panicked. That's what really happened; we panicked. We tend to go away from what we practice and not trust each other. That's when we get into the individual thing, not paying attention to details.

"If we stuck it out and stayed composed, we would have been fine. I know my teammates well enough now to look in their eyes, and . . . I just know as a leader when I see that I need to call a timeout from now on."

Hewitt said that will be fine.

"He's becoming a more outspoken leader, and I think our guys respect him for that," the coach said. "That happens for some people, where things just come together. He knows where everybody is supposed to be, more so on defense. He's one of our better guys in that respect."