Behind Enemy Lines, Jan. 24

Welcome back for another edition of Behind Enemy Lines, where we give you the scoop on the latest goings on among Tar Heel opponents.

• Last week, we featured N.C. State’s upset against Duke, but our red-clad friends to the East have not fared as well since then. The No. 18 Wolfpack dropped a game to Maryland before last night’s 86-84 loss to Wake Forest. N.C. State freshman Rodney Purvis admitted he didn’t even know who Devin Thomas was before the game, but Wake Forest’s freshman forward changed that with 25 points and 14 rebounds. Preseason ACC Player of the Year C.J. Leslie missed three free throws in the last 61 seconds.

• The NCAA announced that the investigation into improper benefits given to Miami basketball and football players by Ponzi schemer Nevin Shapiro will be halted until it conducts an external review of its own proceedings. NCAA president Mark Emmert said Wednesday that investigators obtained some information from Shapiro’s defense attorney improperly.

• The Duke Blue Devils returned to the top of the AP and USA Today polls this week after former No. 1 Louisville lost to Syracuse this weekend. Duke is on the road tonight to take on the only team that has yet to lose in ACC play — No. 25 Miami — but the Blue Devils continue to play without standout forward Ryan Kelly.

• In the absence of forward Reggie Johnson, who is out with a broken thumb, Miami’s Julian Gamble has stepped up. Gamble has averaged nine points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game with Johnson unavailable.

• Former Duke point guard Kyrie Irving dropped 40 points against the Celtics last night, including 15 in the fourth quarter. Celtics coach Doc Rivers said after the game that Irving deserved to be an all star. Irving had help in the Cavs’ 95-90 win from former foe Tyler Zeller, who had 10 rebounds.

• Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer shook up his offensive staff last week after a disappointing season on that side of the ball. The Hokies hired former Auburn offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler to run their offense. In addition, the Hokies retained skilled recruiter Bryan Stinespring, who had previously served as offensive coordinator, as a tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator.