Mason Plumlee responded with a strong performance against Virginia Tech after a tough last week. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

BLACKSBURG, Va.—The game story from Duke's win hits on the two main takeaways from the trip to Cassell Coliseum: Seth Curry answered the chants of "Who's your Daddy?" and Mason Plumlee rebounded from a tough last week. A few other thoughts from the Blue Devils' dominant effort and off-the-court happenings:

***RYAN KELLY UPDATE: If i had a dollar for every time I was asked about Ryan Kelly, I'd have a lot of dollars. For the first time in his recovery, there is actual, visual progress. His crutches are gone, and he is now walking with just his boot.

Seth Curry has one last chance to shine at his father's alma mater. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

Duke at Virginia Tech
When: 9:00 p.m.
Where: Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Va..
TV/Radio: ESPN/WKIX-102.9 FM
Name to Know: Eric Green, the nation's leading scorer

Projected starting lineups:

No. 6 Duke (22-3, 9-3 in the ACC)

G Quinn Cook, So., 12.3 ppg, 5.8 apg
G Seth Curry, Sr., 16.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg
G Rasheed Sulaimon, Fr., 11.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg
F Josh Hairston, Jr., 2.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg
F Mason Plumlee, Sr., 17.6 ppg, 10.4 rpg

Virginia Tech (11-14, 2-10)

G Erick Green, Sr., 25.3 ppg, 4.1 apg
G Will Johnston, So., 1.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg
G Robert Brown, So., 8.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg
F C.J. Barksdale, So., 4.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg
F Cadarian Raines, Jr., 7.0 ppg, 6.8 rpg

Player to watch:

Mason Plumlee, Duke

Duke WR Conner Vernon can't pull in a first-quarter touchdown pass. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

Duke (5-2, 2-1 in the ACC)

Lost to Virginia Tech 41-20

What worked: Duke couldn’t have scripted a better start. Sean Renfree threw the ball where only Jamison Crowder could catch it for a 62-yard touchdown. The offensive line was able to hold back the Hokies’ pass rush. And safety Jordon Byas came up with a 20-yard interception that he returned for a touchdown off of a bobbled swing pass. The score was 20-0 Duke with 3:12 left in the first quarter.

Although he landed with one foot inbounds Duke wide receiver Jamison Crowder was denied this touchdown as the official said he landed out of bounds in the fourth quarter. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

BLACKSBURG, Va.—So take a look at the above picture, folks. That's Jamison Crowder catching a ball in the back on the end zone in the fourth quarter on a thyroid-down pass from Sean Renfree. Now, at this point in the game, the score is 34-20, and, obviously, with a touchdown, Duke would have been down by one obsession with about 9:30 remaining in the game. But, despite the official staring right at Crowder's foot—which is clearly inbounds—he ruled that Crowder was, in fact, out of bounds. The ruling was upheld after a review.

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Duke did something only one other team had ever done against a Frank Beamer-coached Hokies squad: score 20 first-quarter points.

Updated 5:16 p.m.

BLACKSBURG, Va.—Take away all but the final minute of the first half, and it felt like Duke was in perfect position to pull off a shocker in Lane Stadium.

The walk up to Lane Stadium. Credit: Laura Keeley

BLACKSBURG, Va.—It's a beautiful day for football folks, as it's a sunny, 50-degree day here at Lane Stadium. Let's hope the quality of football matches the quality of day.

If you haven't already, check out my Duke vs. Virginia Tech game preview and prediction. I'm expecting it to be a close game, but, ultimately, I went with the Hokies.

This is, essentially a do-or-die game for Virginia Tech. There are several streaks—19 straight bowl season, eight straight ten win seasons—that will be in serious jeopardy if the Hokies lose today. Virginia Tech's defense has the potential to be much better (eight starters from last year's second-ranked ACC defense are still around), so don't be surprised if the unit wakes up today.