Big moment for Duke's Plumlee

Miles Plumlee, college basketball’s greatest rivalry is calling you.

Forward Lance Thomas (sprained ankle) and center Brian Zoubek (broken nose) are listed as day to day for Duke as the Blue Devils prepare for Sunday’s regular season finale at North Carolina.

It’s a chance for the Blue Devils (25-5, 11-4 ACC) to pull into a first-place tie with North Carolina in the ACC standings. In order for Duke to even have a chance on Tyler Hansbrough’s senior day, Plumlee probably will have to play a significant role.

Aside from Kyle Singler, Dave McClure and Plumlee, Duke won’t have any healthy scholarship players on the front line if Thomas and Zoubek can’t play. Because of Hansbrough’s ability to draw fouls in the post, this could be a disaster for Duke unless Plumlee is ready to make an impact as a freshman.

Plumlee had some bright moments against St. John’s on Feb. 19, with four points, three rebounds and two blocked shots in eight minutes. He also was a key factor in the first half against Georgetown on Jan. 17, with four key points when the Blue Devils were struggling on offense.

Fellow freshman Elliot Williams has shown Plumlee the way to make an impact as a freshman by averaging 11.6 points in five games since entering the starting lineup against St. John’s.
It’s up to Plumlee to follow that example. If he doesn’t, the Blue Devils’ chances of winning would appear slim. – Ken Tysiac