DURHAM - DeMarcus Nelson said the greatest thing about being the lone senior on the Duke men's basketball team this season is that he hasn't been alone.

"I had great teammates the whole time here, but this year has probably been the best year here ..." Nelson said. "There's never a dull moment with these guys."

So Nelson wasn't alone when the Devils conspired to shove guard Jordan Davidson into Lance Thomas' locker a few weeks ago, so Davidson could jump out at Thomas and give him a fright.

As it turns out, a relaxed Nelson has been a productive, clutch Nelson, too. Nelson ranks among the conference leaders in scoring (17.5 points per game, eighth), field goal percentage (53.3, first) and steals (2.0, tied for fourth) in conference play for the Blue Devils (26-3, 13-2 ACC).

Nelson won't be alone when he gives his valedictory performance tonight during the most anticipated game of the ACC season. The No. 6 Devils host top-ranked North Carolina at 9 with regular- season ACC bragging rights, top billing in the ACC and, likely, the NCAA Tournament at stake.

"It just means this game means a lot for both teams on a lot of different levels," Nelson said. "You can expect both teams to play to exhaustion. ... A game like this will definitely be one of those moments [I'll remember]."

Nelson will walk away from Cameron, though Duke hopes to play another four weeks, as one of seven Blue Devils to tally at least 1,250 points, 550 rebounds, 200 assists and 125 steals in a career.

The others are Johnny Dawkins, Christian Laettner, Danny Ferry, Shane Battier, Grant Hill and Mike Dunleavy.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said the decision to make Nelson the lone team captain, after using three the season before, was not his but may be the biggest reason for the success of this team and the success of Nelson's senior season.

"I have three [former] captains on my staff, and [graduate assistant] Chris [Spatola] was also a captain at Army, and they all said we needed only one, to give him pinpoint responsibility," Krzyzewski said.

"I think when you give someone that, then you give them a chance to grow. DeMarcus has been a rock for our team. I'm very proud of him. He's a man right now, and I hope he's been able to help his teammates become men."

Heading into his final home game, Nelson said he's thought often about former teammate J.J. Redick and Redick's senior night.

When Redick and three other Duke seniors played their final game at Cameron two years ago, UNC's Tyler Hansbrough had one of the marquee games of his career in a Tar Heels victory.

"As great a player as [Redick] was, we couldn't get him a win on senior night," Nelson said. "That's something I regret for him."

When Nelson does say goodbye, it will be important to see if the player who never gives away his emotions will give them away with family and close friends in the stands and 9,314 Cameron fans praising him for the last time.

"Right now I'm fine, but hopefully tomorrow I can keep it in," Nelson said Friday. "Luckily it hasn't hit me yet. Maybe closer to game time. It probably won't hit me until tomorrow when I'm putting on the uniform and lacing them up."