The end is near for Thomas

Lance Thomas and his uncle Monty Montgomery were amongst the packed house for Duke's Senior Night game against rival North Carolina on Saturday.

Sitting behind the bench, Thomas had a chance to see the team up close and personal all the while hearing his name being chanted amongst the Cameron Crazies.

Montgomery said Thomas certainly felt the energy inside the storied basketball venue.

"It was awesome. There was enough energy in Cameron to charge up the whole city of Durham," Montgomery said. "I had a headache after I left the game. It even carried over to the next day.

"It's like when you are sitting in the plane and the jet engine is starting up but then you step onto the runway and listen to it. That's how loud it was inside of there."

Did the trip provide any long term answers for the five-star forward?

"I don't think he had any questions left unanswered," Montgomery said. "He wanted to see how he would fit in there and how it would be inside of Cameron if he were to go there and experience a game that was that special. Plus, he wanted to get a better feel about the team once you figure in all of the graduations. You can only do that up close and personal."

Duke has long been on Thomas's list. As the season grew shorter and shorter, Duke remained strong along with Rutgers. But after news broke that RU head coach Gary Waters would not be back next year, the momentum may have shifted entirely to Duke. Montgomery said the move was "bad timing."

Timing is the key for Thomas, too. In fact, there is even an end in sight for the drawn out recruitment. Montgomery said Thomas will announce his decision after the Roundball Classic on April 9.