Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski thought Seth Curry was the difference-maker for Duke in its win over Kentucky. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

ATLANTA—It was a matchup with March Madness-level intensity. And here's a fittingly in-depth analysis from yours truly: 

First: the game story from No. 9 Duke's 75-68 win over No. 3 Kentucky and the full story behind John Calipari's comments on Duke flopping at halftime.

***Duke needs all three of its seniors to be successful.

The trio of Mason Plumlee, Ryan Kelly and Seth Curry is greater than the sum of its individual parts. That’s not to say that, as individuals, they’re not good, but the three of them clicking on the court will be necessary for future Duke success.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has repeatedly said Mason Plumlee is one of the best players in the country. That story, and a few others, are in the N&O's ACC hoops preview section today. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY

It's here. Basketball season is here.

The N&O's preview section hits doorsteps today, but, on the off-chance that it's not hitting your doorstep, here's a rundown of all the Duke content that's hot off the presses.

DURHAM—While Mike Krzyzewski, Chris Collins and Steve Wojciechowski were in London prepping for Team USA’s gold medal game, a quartet of current Duke players were playing in a championship game of their own.

Thursday night, Quinn Cook and newcomers Amile Jefferson, Rasheed Sulaimon and Rodney Hood teamed up to play for Dream Works in the championship game of the N.C. Pro-Am summer league last Thursday. Ultimately, the de-facto team Duke lost 91-84 to the Banks Law Firm team of Jerry Stackhouse, Quincy Miller, Reggie Bullock, and J.T. Terrell (formerly of Wake Forest, now with Southern Cal) among others.

Duke sophomore Quinn Cook arrived back in Durham Monday along with teammate Marshall Plumlee after competing in Estonia for the East Coast All-Stars in the Four Nations World Cup. And Cook brought back a souvenir: a spot on the all-Cup team.

DURHAM -- Based on the tenor of Mike Krzyzewski’s press conference after Duke’s uninspiring 83-76 win over St. John’s on Saturday, it seems a safe bet the Blue Devils will feel the reverberations of their lackluster second half for days to come.

While putting this game in perspective, it’s worth remembering this game could have lasting effects for the upcoming weeks. Here are three final thoughts:

1. Is this year’s Duke team wearing Coach K out?

There are a lot of words one could use to describe Krzyzewski’s mood when he talked about Saturday’s game, but the most apt one might be “fatigued.” Krzyzewski almost seemed to be at the end of his rope, saying that he’s tried all the things he can think of to improve the team’s defense and intensity to no avail.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Duke freshman point guard Quinn Cook will miss tonight's game at Maryland, Duke officials announced as the team arrived at Comcast Center. Cook, the team's starting point guard, is sick and remained in Durham, team officials said.

Freshman forward Michael Gbinije is also under the weather and will miss the contest.

Quinn Cook’s recent issues with his knee are not related to the trouble he had this summer, when Duke doctors shut the freshman point guard for the better part of three months.

Instead, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said Cook’s suffering from a knee bruise that he sustained in practice last week.

The freshman point guard only played one minute in the Blue Devils’ 76-73 loss to Florida State on Saturday.

DURHAM – During team meetings and off-the-court conversations, Duke basketball players have stressed improving defensively.

After watching a few opponents blow by them off the dribble or lose them on screens, the No. 8 Blue Devils (13-2, 1-0 ACC) say they’ve had enough. A solid defensive performance in their 81-74 conference-opener over Georgia Tech has bolstered the team’s confidence as they welcome No. 16 Virginia (14-1, 1-0) to Cameron Indoor Stadium on Thursday (ESPN, 9 p.m.).

N.C. State guard Lorenzo Brown was named ACC Player of the Week today after averaging 19.0 points, 8.0 assists and 5.5 rebounds in a pair of wins last week over Campbell and Western Carolina.

DURHAM -- As big an attraction as Duke figures to be in China, the Blue Devils’ traveling party won’t lack for celebrity either.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said Tuesday that he expects former Duke players Grant Hill, Jay Williams, Nolan Smith and Kyrie Irving to join the team for part or all of the team’s trip to China and Dubai, as will Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, whose son Austin is a freshman guard for the Blue Devils.

Duke leaves Sunday for the two-week tour that will include three games against Chinese teams and a fourth against the national team of the United Arab Emirates.