By BRYAN STRICKLAND

bstrickland@heraldsun.com; 419-6671

DURHAM -- Tyler Hansbrough again will be a part of the Duke-UNC rivalry Wednesday night, but the Blue Devils needn't worry.

Hansbrough will be on hand at the Smith Center (9 p.m., WRAL) to have his jersey retired, the final stamp for a legacy built partially at Duke's expense.

The Blue Devils certainly don't mind that Hansbrough will be dressed up rather than dressed out, but they feel more suited to tangle with UNC's inside attack than they have since Hansbrough was just starting his college career.

"That's been a big difference for our team this year overall, but especially when we play them," Duke senior guard Jon Scheyer said. "Obviously, they have a lot of really good big guys, so to have the bodies that can bang inside and rebound, it takes a lot of pressure off us guards and adds to our team."

For four seasons -- long seasons from the Blue Devils' perspective -- Hansbrough was a central figure in the rivalry, putting up 21 points and 11 rebounds a game while winning six of eight meetings against Duke.

Hansbrough, however, has gone the way of the NBA, along with three other stars of the 2009 NCAA title team, seeming to take the Tar Heels' winning ways with them.

"He was everybody's security blanket," UNC coach Roy Williams said. "When we threw the ball inside, we felt like we were going to get a great opportunity to score or at least get fouled.

"That was a pretty good luxury."

Minus Hansbrough, the Tar Heels (13-10, 2-6 ACC) still lean heavily on big men. Deon Thompson leads the team in scoring, Ed Davis ranks a close second, and Tyler Zeller (currently injured) is third.

No one in Duke's quartet of big men -- Lance Thomas, Brian Zoubek and Miles and Mason Plumlee -- ranks even near the top three in scoring for the No. 8 Blue Devils (19-4, 7-2), but that doesn't mean they're not contributing.

"Rebounding and halfcourt defense, they've done a really good job in both those areas, and they've been pretty good screeners as far as getting our perimeter guys open," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "Our two senior guys have done exceptional jobs. I think Lance is having an outstanding year -- one of the best defenders in the country, playing all over the place. When he's out of the game, our team goes down because of his energy, his experience and his leadership. Brian has had a workmanlike year.

"They've both been really consistent, and the Plumlees have talent. They have to keep developing that talent."

Zoubek, playing arguably the best basketball of his career, readily acknowledges that UNC's post game often has overwhelmed Duke over the course of his time in Durham. Zoubek also knows the Tar Heels' best chance at an upset lies in more of the same, but Zoubek vows that it will be different this time.

"We've struggled in the past, obviously, but I'm starting to hit my stride a little bit, and the other guys are getting a little bit more confidence," Zoubek said. "I think we're in a good place right now.

"They've got some pretty strong bigs, and I'm sure part of their game plan is going to be going at our bigs. We'll hold our own and go right back at them."

Zoubek has improved immensely on getting his hands on the ball and keeping them there, becoming a stronger rebounder and avoiding turnovers.

Thomas excels at not letting the opposition get its hands on the ball, using his quickness and tenacity to deny the ball to bigger post players.

The Plumlee brothers have struggled some of late but have the talent to turn that around at a moment's notice.

"They need to wipe away a couple of games that they've had and just approach this game with a new attitude, go out with a lot of energy and enthusiasm and see what comes," Zoubek said. "They can't worry about games they've had in the past. They could have a breakout game to help our team win."

And this time, perhaps for the first time since Hansbrough was a freshman and former Duke All-American center Shelden Williams was a senior, it seems reasonable to think a Duke big man could be a big reason why the Blue Devils successfully stand up to the Tar Heels.

"We're looking to go in there and take care of business," Zoubek said.

NOTE -- Zeller, who has been out since mid-January with a stress fracture in his right foot, was scheduled for an MRI and X-rays on Monday. It's been four weeks since the injury. When first diagnosed, he was expected to miss four to six weeks. Zeller didn't travel with the team for Sunday's game at Maryland because of a bout with food poisoning.