Ryan Kelly should be done wearing ties to games soon, as he hopes to be back on the court in time for senior night. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

DURHAM—The biggest news of the day came after Duke had beaten Boston College by the score of 89-68. In the Duke locker room, Ryan Kelly met with the media for the first time since his Jan. 8 right foot injury. The game story goes into full detail, but here's the cliff notes version:

+Kelly is definitely coming back this year.
+He hasn't started practicing in drills and with contact yet, but he hopes to this week week.
+He has been practicing his lateral movements on the floor and shooting as well ("I can still shoot it if you’re wondering," he said).
+As far as a return date, Kelly said he would like to be back for senior night (March 5) against Virginia Tech. Since he hasn't practiced yet, he said "some amazing things would have to happen" for him to play this week against Virginia or Miami.

A few more notes:

Both Rasheed Sulaimon and Amile Jefferson set new career highs in scoring during Duke's win against Boston College. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

DURHAM—Signs of positive growth were in abundance during Duke’s 89-68 win over Boston College. Both of the Blue Devils’ freshmen set new career-highs for scoring. Mason Plumlee continued to bounce back from a tough last week and posted his 16th double-double of the year. But the most encouraging development happened after the game in the locker room, where Ryan Kelly met with the media for the first time since his Jan. 8 foot injury.

It’s no longer a question of if Kelly is coming back. That’s a given, and the only thing left to be determined is when.

“My foot is feeling good, and as this week progresses I think I can become more and more a part of practice,” he said. “Obviously I want to be ready for the (NCAA) Tournament, that’s the biggest thing, but it would certainly be very nice as well to get out there for my senior night.”

Duke hosts Virginia Tech on March 5 for senior night, a date just about a week away. Kelly has yet to go live in practice and still hasn’t done much running on the court, so “amazing things” would have to happen for him to play this week, he said.

Mason Plumlee scored three of Duke's final four points in a 62-61 win at Boston College. Credit: MARY SCHWALM/AP

Monday morning update: A few people have asked me why Duke stayed on the court so long after the game. The Blue Devils were headed toward their locker room, but when the Boston College band started playing the school's alma mater, they paused, right behind the line of Eagles. Once the band was done, Duke left the court.

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass.—With 2:30 left in the game, Duke was down by three, and Mike Krzyzewski gathered his team in the huddle.

“We had a timeout and told our guys don’t panic,” he said. “Don’t do crazy things and take crazy shots and that.”

The Blue Devils didn’t panic, and they ended the game with 4 straight defensive stops to seal a 62-61 victory. More on that in the game story.

A few more thoughts:

***When Seth Curry hit a 3-pointer to open the scoring for Duke in the second half, he moved into first place on a particular all-time scoring list.

Seth Curry started strong for Duke, scoring 11 of the team's first 30 points. Credit: MARY SCHWALM/AP

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass.—To have a great season, Mike Krzyzewski said, a team has to fight human nature. The Blue Devils were coming off a big win against N.C. State, a blizzard delayed their arrival to Boston, and games against Carolina and Maryland loom next week. In simplest terms, Duke’s game at Boston College was a trap game.

And the Blue Devils came oh-so-close to being trapped.

But thanks to a last-second defensive stand that drew from the pregame scouting report, the Blue Devils escaped a hostile Conte Forum with a 62-61 victory.

“It just shows that we’re tough and together,” Seth Curry said. “Last year’s team definitely would not have won this type of game. We fought hard. Nobody really got down, nobody really panicked when we were down five toward the end of the game. We just made plays and shared the ball and got shots.”

After 24.9 inches of snow, the greater Boston area is back up and running, just in time for Duke's game at Boston College. Credit: Laura Keeley

Duke vs. Boston College
When: 6:00 p.m.
Where: Conte Forum, Chestnut Hill, Mass.
TV/Radio: ESPNU/WKIX-102.9 FM
And? The toughest part of the Duke-Carolina hoopla? Preparing for the game before it.

Projected starting lineups:

No. 4 Duke (10-2, 7-2 in the ACC)

G Quinn Cook, So., 11.9 ppg, 6.1 apg
G Seth Curry, Sr., 16.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg
G Rasheed Sulaimon, Fr., 11.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg
F Amile Jefferson, Fr., 4.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg
F Mason Plumlee, Sr., 18.2 ppg, 10.7 rpg

Boston College (10-12, 2-7)

G Joe Rahon, Fr., 10.3 ppg, 3.6 apg
G Olivier Hanlon, Fr., 13.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg
G Lonnie Jackson, So., 10.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg
F Ryan Anderson, So., 16.0 ppg, 8.8 rpg
F Eddie Odio, So., 3.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg

Player to watch: