"Unconscious" was the word Miami head coach Jim Larranaga used to describe Duke's Ryan Kelly, who scored a career-high 36 points in Duke's win. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

DURHAM—Excuse the delay, folks—I'm been working on a story for senior day—but, if you missed any of it, here are a few links to our postgame coverage of Duke's 79-76 win over Miami

• The main game story, which focuses on the incredible performance of Ryan Kelly, who posed a career-high 36 points coming off of his right foot injury, limiting him to a grand total of 20 minutes before taking the floor.

• In the immediate aftermath of the game, the Blue Devils were dreaming big about what Kelly's return means for their potential.

• And from Andrew Carter, a closer look at just how close Miami came in the closing seconds.

And here's one more thought:

There were times, Ryan Kelly said after the game, that he doubted he would return from the foot injury that had sidelined him since Jan. 8. But he worked diligently with Duke trainers Jose Fonseca and Nicholas Potter, maintaing cardiovascular shape by running on an underwater treadmill. Kelly also focused on strengthening the rest of his body so that when his foot was finally ready, the rest of him would be, too.

Despite not playing in nearly two months, Ryan Kelly had a career day against Miami. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

DURHAM—When Ryan Kelly met with the media on Sunday, the first time he had done so since he injured his right foot, he offered an unsolicited comment.

“I can still shoot, if you’re wondering.”

If there were any doubts, they were quickly erased. Kelly, who hadn't played since Jan. 8, scored a career-high 36 points against the No. 5 Miami Hurricanes and paced No. 3 Duke to a 79-76 win.

The very first play of the game was designed to get Kelly an open look on the elbow beyond the arc. It worked, but Kelly missed. That was one of only four misses all night, as he finished 10-of-14 from the field and 9-of-12 from the free throw line to arrive at his 36 points. He was also 7-of-9 from behind the arc, setting a career-high. Kelly was also Duke’s leading rebounder, too, grabbing seven boards.

“I thought we prepared for Ryan Kelly,” Miami head coach Jim Larranaga said. “But, obviously, not for that Ryan Kelly.”

When Mason Plumlee plays to his dominant averages, Duke's chances of success are high. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

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.

Mike Krzyzewski has repeatedly said that no ACC player is as important to his team as Mason Plumlee is to Duke. And when you look at Plumlee’s performances in Duke’s most recent losses, Krzyzewski appears right.

In Duke’s two losses to unranked teams—at Maryland Feb. 16 and at Virginia Feb. 28—Plumlee was a combined 4-of-12 for 14 points and 10 rebounds. Throughout this season, he has averaged 17.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per (single) game.

Shane Larkin is, in Dick Vitale's eyes, the frontrunner for ACC Player of the Year. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

Duke vs Miami
When: 6:10 p.m.
Where: Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham
TV/Radio: ESPN/WKIX-102.9 FM
And? A Ryan Kelly return is quite possible.

Projected starting lineups:

No. 3 Duke (24-4, 11-4 in the ACC)
G Quinn Cook, So., 12.4 ppg, 5.4 apg
G Seth Curry, Sr., 17.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg
G Rasheed Sulaimon, Fr., 12.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg
F Josh Hairston, Jr., 2.8 ppg, 2.1 rpg
F Mason Plumlee, Sr., 17.3 ppg, 10.5 rpg

No. 5 Miami (23-4, 14-1)
G Shane Larkin, So., 13.4 ppg, 4.3 apg
G Durand Scott, Sr., 13.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg
G Trey McKinney Jones, r-Sr., 9.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg
F/C Kenny Kadji, Jr, r-Sr., 13.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg
F/C Julian Gamble, r-Sr., 6.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg

Player to watch:

Ryan Kelly, Duke

Seth Curry scored 23 second-half points, but Joe Harris (12) was unstoppable. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.—All season, with or without Ryan Kelly, Duke has remained composed and steadily worked toward a strong regular season finish.
Suddenly, after a 73-68 loss at Virginia during which Duke was out-worked and left flustered, all of that is in doubt.

With the loss, No. 3 Duke (24-4, 11-4 in the ACC) has a one-game lead on UNC and the Cavaliers for second place. And the Blue Devils still have to host first-place Miami—who has clinched a share of the regular-season title—and pay the Tar Heels a visit.

Duke was consistently outworked and outhustled, and that was most evident in Virginia’s edge on the boards. Duke finished with just three offensive rebounds. The Cavaliers (20-8, 10-5) pulled down 27 defensive rebounds.

Joe Harris in particular took advantage of Duke’s lack of defensive energy. The junior finished with a career-high 36 points on 12-of-20 shooting from the floor. That was also the most points scored by an ACC player in a conference game this year.

“He got a lot of tough plays,” Seth Curry said. “Loose balls, offensive rebounds, and then just strong cuts and drives. He was the most physical person out there.”

Rasheed Sulaimon drives could be a key component to a Duke win at Virginia. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

Duke at Virginia
When: 9:00 p.m.
Where: John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, Va.
TV/Radio: ESPN/WKIX-102.9 FM
Storyline: Another chance for an ACC team to secure a resume-boosting win.

Projected starting lineups:

No. 3 Duke (24-3, 11-3 in the ACC)
G Quinn Cook, So., 12.1 ppg, 5.6 apg
G Seth Curry, Sr., 16.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg
G Rasheed Sulaimon, Fr., 12.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg
F Josh Hairston, Jr., 2.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg
F Mason Plumlee, Sr., 17.5 ppg, 10.7 rpg

Virginia (19-8, 9-5)
G Jontel Evans, Sr., 4.5 ppg, 5.3 apg
G Joe Harris, Jr., 16.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg
G Paul Jesperson, So., 5.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg
F Akil Mitchell, Jr., 12.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg
F Justin Anderson, Fr., 7.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg

Player to watch:

Rasheed Sulaimon, Duke