The key three: Duke basketball vs. N.C. State

For the first time this season, No. 1 Duke (15-0, 2-0 in the ACC) will be playing in a true road game. This matchup is not just any ordinary road game either. The Blue Devils will face off against a formidable opponent in Triangle rival and No. 20 N.C. State (13-2, 2-0 in the ACC).

Here are three keys to the game:

Picking up the slack in Ryan Kelly's absence

Starting senior power forward Ryan Kelly—arguably the team's most important player—is out indefinitely with a foot injury. The loss is a big blow for the Blue Devils, as the 6-foot-11 captain averages 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per outing. Head coach Mike Krzyzewski will turn to reserves Josh Hairston, Amile Jefferson, Alex Murphy and Marshall Plumlee to fill the void. Whether or not that group can compensate for Kelly's absence by providing offensive production and neutralizing the Wolfpack's powerful post duo of C.J. Leslie and Richard Howell—who collectively average 28.3 points and 17.2 rebounds per contest—will likely be one of the biggest factors in this first of two meetings between the preseason favorites to finish No. 1 and No. 2 in the ACC.

Handling adversity in a hostile environment

Duke is battle tested given its tough non-conference schedule, which was highlighted by wins against likely NCAA tournament-bound teams Kentucky, Minnesota, Louisville and Ohio State. The top-ranked Blue Devils, however, have not played a true road game yet this season. With an expected 19,000 plus raucous fans on hand, N.C. State will likely serve as one of the most difficult atmospheres on Duke's schedule this year. Furthermore, Jan. 12 is a date that has been circled on N.C. State fans' calendars since the the ACC schedule was released. How the Blue Devils respond to highlight-reel plays by the Wolfpack and momentum swings in a high energy environment promises to play a key role in this difficult road test against a team with the potential to make a deep run in the NCAA tourney.

Strong performances from the veterans

Given Kelly's absence, Duke associate head coach talked about the importance of the team's leaders stepping up on the big stage against N.C. State by saying, "We are going to rely on our veterans with Mason [Plumlee], Seth [Curry], Tyler [Thornton] and Josh [Hairston]..." Senior center Mason Plumlee will have to come up big for Duke to earn a victory. Plumlee—who averages 17.7 points per game—has been in a bit of a scoring slump as of late, netting 10, 13 and eight points in the last three games. On a similar note, senior shooting guard Seth Curry—who has battled through a lower leg injury all year—needs to register a strong defensive performance, as well as offensive, if the Blue Devils hope to slow down a high-octane offense averaging over 80 points per game, which is spearheaded by an athletic Wolfpack backcourt featuring dynamic athletes Lorenzo Brown at point guard and Rodney Purvis at shooting guard.