The No. 1 Duke Blue Devils (13-1, 2-0 ACC) put their eight-game winning streak on the line when they take on the No. 13 Florida State Seminoles (13-2, 1-1 ACC) at Donald L. Tucker Center. The game will air on ESPN at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 12, 2019.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Florida State Seminoles Free Prediction
In the Blue Devils’ last contest, they blew out the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 87-65. Duke’s 0.637 effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Wake Forest, who had a mark of 0.369. The Blue Devils’ mark was above their season average of 0.550, while the Demon Deacons’ was below their season average of 0.497. Duke rallied around Zion Williamson, who was the game’s high scorer with 30 points on 13-for-16 shooting.
The Seminoles defeated the Miami (FL) Hurricanes in their last contest, 68-62. The Seminoles held the Hurricanes to an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.9 (below the 28.6 mark opponents have averaged against Florida State this season) and had a turnover percentage of 11.4 (better than their season average of 18.0). David Nichols led Florida State in scoring with 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting from the field.
This has potential to be an error-filled game for the offense of Florida State. Florida State ranks 271st in the nation in ball protection (turnover percentage of 20.6 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Duke forces the 44th-most turnovers in the country (22.9 percent).
After the Blue Devils won the sole game against the Seminoles last season, 100-93, these teams will clash for the first time this year. Duke’s rebounding was their largest strength. The Blue Devils had more offensive rebounds (23 vs. nine), defensive rebounds (30 vs. 26) and total rebounds (53 vs. 35).
Duke Blue Devils at Florida State Seminoles Odds Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Duke, ATS Winner – Duke, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Duke ranks eighth in assists per game (18.5) while Florida State ranks 161st (12.5).
The Seminoles rank 30th in rebounds allowed per game (31.3) while the Blue Devils rank 142nd (35.4).
Florida State ranks 24th in steals per game (8.6) while Duke ranks 99th in steals allowed per game (6.4).
The Blue Devils rank first in blocks per game (8.2) while the Seminoles rank 69th (3.7).
Duke ranks 86th in three pointers attempted per game (24.4) while Florida State ranks 102nd in three pointers allowed per game (21.7).
Bettings Trends:
The Blue Devils’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 27.2, up from 26.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Seminoles have scored an average of 76.6 points per game (1.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.6 points per game (0.9 above their season average).
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