Every Saturday, the News & Observer takes a look around the ACC. That also provides an opportunity to check in with the Blue Devils and look for any emerging trends.

After establishing himself as the front-runner for national player of the year honors, Mason Plumlee has cooled off in Duke’s last three games. Against Davidson, Wake Forest and Clemson, Plumlee has had his three lowest scoring outputs (10, 13 and eight, respectively), and also set a new-season high with six turnovers against the Wildcats and Tigers.

Part of the slow down, in head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s opinion, is due to the extra time opponents have had to game plan for Plumlee—Duke had eight days off for the holidays, and most other teams took a break from games, too. Also, both Davidson and Wake Forest constantly double-teamed Plumlee in the post, a strategy teams didn’t use earlier in the year.

Krzyzewski, though, isn’t overly concerned. Plumlee has maintained his rebounding production (an average of 10.7 per game over the last three games), and he also recorded five assists against Clemson, and four of those led to 3-point baskets.

“Look, we’re not undefeated or where we’re at without Mason,” Krzyzewski said. “Mason is our best player. You want to look at every little thing he does, you can do that, but I’ll take Mason, any day. He’s my guy, and I’m a one-guy guy.”

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