N&O staff photojournalist Robert Willett shot this picture at the Duke-UNC game last night. Austin Rivers' shot is headed to the basket. Time has expired, the backboard has been illuminated. John Henson of UNC and Ryan Kelly of Duke are watching the trajectory of the ball. In a moment, the ball will fall through the hoop and Duke will win a stunning victory. In this frame, the outcome is still uncertain. All that these players and both nations know is that there is no time on the clock but the game is not over quite yet

Duke often uses a play where guard Nolan Smith inbounds from under the opponent’s basket to center Mason Plumlee, then immediately runs to the corner for a quick return pass and a look at a 3-point shot.

Opposing coaches watch film. They know it’s coming. And lately they’ve had Smith’s defender and Plumlee’s defender cheat toward the perimeter to prevent the 3-point shot.

In the past two games, Plumlee has anticipated this. Once against Maryland and again vs. N.C. State, he has faked the pass to Smith and attacked the basket for a dunk.

The subtle adjustment is just one more sign that Plumlee is maturing as a sophomore and becoming a reliable starting center for Duke.