Marshall Plumlee looks to follow brothers' footsteps in Indianapolis Final Four

Backup center Marshall Plumlee is looking to do what his brothers did five years ago—contribute off the bench during a national championship run.
Backup center Marshall Plumlee is looking to do what his brothers did five years ago—contribute off the bench during a national championship run.

INDIANAPOLIS—For the third time in five years, a Plumlee will take the court for Duke in a Final Four.

Mason and Miles Plumlee—both of whom are currently playing in the NBA—were part of Duke's 2010 national championship run. Now, younger brother Marshall Plumlee is looking to follow in their footsteps and win a national title in the same arena his brothers did five years ago—just a little more than two hours from home in Warsaw, Ind.

"It's funny how things come full circle," Plumlee said. "I saw them experience something special and i wanted that for myself. I've been fortunate to be part of such a great team that's been able to put us in a position to be here again. The fact that it's in Indianapolis—I think that's exciting particularly for my family—but for me, I'd be thrilled to play a Final Four anywhere."

Miles Plumlee averaged 3.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game as a key bench player for the Blue Devils during the 2010 NCAA tournament. He now plays with the Milwaukee Bucks. Mason, who would go on to be a standout center, Naismith Award finalist and take his team to the Elite Eight in his senior season, played just 10.3 minutes per game as a reserve during the Blue Devils' last championship run.

Just like his older brothers did in 2010, Marshall Plumlee functions as a key reserve for Duke this season, coming off the bench to relieve future NBA lottery pick and freshman Jahlil Okafor. The emergence of Okafor as a bona fide star has been a blessing in disguise for Plumlee, who battles the Chicago native every day in practice and has had his own game improve as a result.

"I won't speak on things you guys already probably see, and that's his talent and athleticism," Plumlee said. "But what I've been most impressed with is his work ethic—whether it be in the weight room or on the court."

After posting a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in the opening round of the NCAA tournament against Robert Morris, Plumlee has been relatively quiet for the past three games, having played just 20 combined minutes and being held scoreless in all three contests.

Despite the decline in production, Plumlee knows now is not the time to change his formula—prior to his 6-of-6 shooting performance in the ACC tournament against N.C. State, the 7-footer had been held scoreless in three of his previous four games.

"I just want to be extremely prepared for anything," Plumlee said. "I'm going to focus on being the Marshall I've been all year long. That's what the team's used to and now's probably the worst time in the world to spring something new on them. I'm confident in my role on the team."

Like it was for the 2010 Blue Devils, this year's Final Four—held at the same venue—is new territory, as no current Duke player has made it this far in the NCAA tournament. Senior Quinn Cook, junior Amile Jefferson and Marshall Plumlee were all on the 2012-13 Elite Eight squad with Mason Plumlee, but only Cook averaged more than 5.0 minutes per game.

That is where the brotherly connection comes in for Marshall Plumlee.

With the Final Four experience both brothers possess, Plumlee said Miles and Mason have helped him prepare for the craziness that would come with playing on college basketball's biggest stage in his own backyard. One of the main areas of stress that his family has helped relieve is in dealing with the onslaught of ticket requests that can overwhelm players.

"They were real encouraging, but it was more advice moving forward," Plumlee said. "It's best not to let the outside in. Keep doing what's got us this far in the season. There are going to be pressures, a lot of people wanting to reach out, especially being in a home state. But they did a good job at helping me keep my head on straight."

Although Plumlee has been able to see his family and enjoy being home in Indiana, the trip is not one that allows him to go out and eat all his favorite restaurants. In particular, Plumlee was disappointed that he was not able to stop by his favorite Indiana-based eateries—Penguin Point and Pizza King.

"[There's] nothing that would be healthy for me to eat before the game," Plumlee said.

Although the Warsaw, Ind., native made it clear that this was a business trip—like Justise Winslow did the week before when the Blue Devils played in his hometown Houston—Plumlee is also making sure to take in the experience that comes with the Final Four.

Thursday, the team took in the more fun side of the weekend experience. Notably, Plumlee tried his hand at a mini-hockey rink, showing off his slap shot.


When asked about his "hockey skills," the 7-footer laughed and said it didn't quite turn out how he thought it would for his first time on the ice, and that for now, he would be sticking to basketball.

If sticking to basketball ends up like it did for his two brothers, Plumlee should be able to live down any errant slap shots and add to a family tradition come Monday night.

Discussion

Share and discuss “Marshall Plumlee looks to follow brothers' footsteps in Indianapolis Final Four” on social media.