DeMarcus Nelson said Sunday after Duke had disposed of Boston College that the Blue Devils were out to win the ACC’S regular season championship.

If Duke, at 18-3 overall, is to have a shot at that, it means they can’t afford to lose Thursday night at Virginia.

Duke got into this predicament dropping their league opener at home to Virginia Tech and then losing the next game at Georgia Tech. Since then, they’ve gotten better with each game, reeling off five conference wins in a row, and now are just a game back of the lead in the loss column.

It will not be easy in Charlottesville because Virginia has come on as well. The Cavaliers are likewise 5-2 in the ACC and 13-6 in all games.

Virginia, led by its stellar guards, has won four straight ACC games. It’s hard to top the Virginia backcourt of Sean Singletary and J.R. Reynolds. They’re about as good as it gets. Singletary is averaging 19 points per game for the season while Reynolds is averaging 18.2. In conference games though, he’s scoring at 22 points per contest. Those two are a handful, and somehow Duke will have to find an answer for them.

Duke will more than likely play without David McClure, who has done such a good job off the bench. He’s supplied energy, scoring and defense, but while the hyperextended left knee injury he suffered against B.C. is not deemed serious, it should keep him out of the Virginia game. He has become a key player, and he’ll be missed.

Duke’s been getting consistent play from Nelson on both ends of the court. His quickness and toughness allows him to guard just about anybody. He’ll probably see a lot of Singletary and Reynolds. I would think this would be a game that Gerald Henderson’s athleticism will be needed. This is where McClure’s defense will be missed.

It’s imperative for the freshman Lance Thomas, who played well against Boston College, to stay out of foul trouble. He looked for his offense against B.C. and scored 10 points -- Maybe his best game of the season.

Duke is playing good basketball. It’s a young team that’s growing up. The hostile crowd at Virginia will be tough, but tougher will be Singletary and Reynolds. Will Duke keep its poise? They haven’t had that many road tests against good teams.

Duke has relied on hard-nosed defense this whole season. It’s bailed them out when the offense has failed. On the perimeter, Duke better come to play.

Josh McRoberts' all-around game is a key. Virginia can’t match him inside. He needs to realize that.

Duke has dominated this series, winning 22 of the last 24 games these two have played, including nine in a row. That’s called owning an opponent. The Virginia crowd will be into this one way before it starts.

Both need it. Both want it. Who will want it the most?

Virginia fans are ready to storm the court. Will Duke let them?