Offense meets defense when the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils (14-1, 3-0 ACC) welcome the No. 25 Syracuse Orange (11-5, 2-1 ACC) to Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, January 14, 2019, and will air on ESPN.
Syracuse Orange vs. Duke Blue Devils Betting Prediction
The Orange are trying to rebound after their 73-59 loss to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in their last matchup. Georgia Tech’s 0.667 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Syracuse, who had a mark of 0.377. The Yellow Jackets’ mark was above their season average of 0.512, while the Orange’s was below their season average of 0.491. Oshae Brissett was Syracuse’s high scorer with 15 points on 4-for-10 shooting.
The last time the Blue Devils played, they barely escaped the No. 13 Florida State Seminoles, 80-78. Duke’s 0.546 effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Florida State, who had a rate of 0.468. The Blue Devils’ mark was below their season average of 0.556, while the Seminoles’ was below their season average of 0.520. R.J. Barrett was the top scorer from either team with 32 points on 10-for-19 shooting from the field.
After the Blue Devils won both contests against the Orange last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last game, Duke won 69-65. The Blue Devils’ 9.3 turnover percentage was their largest advantage over the Orange, who had a mark of 21.5.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the high-powered offense of Duke (seventh in the country with an offensive efficiency of 119.3) takes on the elite defense of Syracuse (27th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 92.5). Additionally, the Orange rank 30th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.293), while the Blue Devils rank 21st in opponents’ FTA rate (0.171).
Syracuse at Duke Free Pick
Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Duke, ATS Winner – Syracuse, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Duke ranks eighth in assists per game (18.2) while Syracuse ranks 178th (12.4).
The Blue Devils rank fourth in rebounds per game (43.9) while the Orange rank 158th in rebounds allowed per game (35.8).
Duke averages 24.4 three pointers per game, which ranks 92nd in the country. Syracuse ranks 225th in three pointers allowed per game (25.8).
The Blue Devils average 11.0 steals per game, which ranks second in the NCAA. The Orange rank 90th in steals allowed per game (6.1).
Duke ranks first in blocks per game (7.9) while Syracuse ranks 63rd in blocks allowed per game (2.9).
Bettings Trends:
The Orange’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 13.4, up from 8.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Blue Devils have scored an average of 84.8 points per game (5.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 63.8 points per game (1.3 below their season average).
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