The Pittsburgh Panthers (8-11, 0-6 ACC) look to snap their six-game losing streak when they square off with the No. 5 Duke Blue Devils (16-2, 4-2 ACC) at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game starts at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 20, 2018.
Pittsburgh Panthers at Duke Blue Devils ATS Prediction
The last time the Panthers played, they were topped by the Syracuse Orange, 59-45. Syracuse’s 15.1 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Pittsburgh, who had a rate of 28.6. The Orange’s mark was better than their season average of 16.6, while the Panthers’ was above their season average of 19.9. Parker Stewart was the game’s high scorer with 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
The Blue Devils were victorious over the No. 25 Miami (FL) Hurricanes in their last game, 83-75. Duke’s 0.179 free throw rate was their biggest strength over Miami (FL), who had a rate of 0.103. The Blue Devils’ mark was below their season average of 0.248, while the Hurricanes’ was below their season average of 0.183. With 15 points and 14 rebounds, Duke’s Wendell Carter Jr. played well.
It will be a battle of opposite tempos as the fast-breaking Blue Devils will look to push the slower-paced Panthers. The Blue Devils rank 39th in possessions per game while the Panthers are 321st.
Gary Trent Jr. has averaged 14.4 points and 2.4 steals over the last five games for Duke.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Marvin Bagley III had 16 points and 15 rebounds and the Blue Devils beat the Panthers 87-52. The Blue Devils had a much better turnover percentage (7.7 vs. 19.8) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.625 vs. 0.373).
Pittsburgh Panthers at Duke Blue Devils ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pittsburgh, ATS Winner – Pittsburgh, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Duke ranks first in rebounds per game (44.1) while Pittsburgh ranks 225th (33.1).
The Blue Devils rank third in assists per game (19.8) while the Panthers rank 167th (13.1).
Duke ranks 35th in steals per game (7.8) while Pittsburgh ranks 190th (4.6).
The Panthers average 23.4 three pointers per game, which ranks 106th in the NCAA. The Blue Devils rank 221st in three pointers allowed per game (24.1).
Duke ranks 17th in blocks per game (5.5) while Pittsburgh ranks 111th in blocks allowed per game (3.8).
Bettings Trends:
The Panthers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 20.8, up from 5.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Blue Devils have scored an average of 88.8 points per game (3.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 77.4 points per game (3.6 above their season average).
