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Published Sat, Jan 22, 2011 03:59 AM
Modified Sat, Jan 22, 2011 05:29 AM

Plumlees can establish Duke's power game

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By KEN TYSIAC - STAFF WRITER

At Wake Forest, 4 p.m. today,

ESPN, WDNC-620, WKIX-102.9

Key chance for Duke's big men

The budding confidence of Duke's post players has a chance to blossom further today.

On Wednesday night at N.C. State, Miles Plumlee and Ryan Kelly each scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Mason Plumlee, who led the team with 10 rebounds and blocked six shots, now has 40 rebounds over his last three games.

Today at Wake Forest (7-12, 0-4 ACC), No. 4 Duke has another opportunity to highlight its big men. In a loss Wednesday at Georgia Tech, the Deacons started a small lineup, with 6-foot-7, 205-pound Travis McKie at power forward.

That left 7-foot Carson Desrosiers, a center with more perimeter-oriented skills, as Wake's only true big man in the starting lineup. This is an opportunity for the Plumlees in particular to establish their power game in the low post.

If that happens, and Duke (17-1, 4-1) can rely a bit less on seniors Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler, the team may be better off in the long run.

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