The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (11-13, 4-7 ACC) will try to slow down the nation’s top scoring team when they square off against the No. 9 Duke Blue Devils (19-5, 7-4 ACC) at McCamish Pavilion. The game starts at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 11, 2018, and will air on ESPN.
Duke opened as a 9-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 147.5 points.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Betting Prediction
The last time the Blue Devils played, they were topped by the No. 21 North Carolina Tar Heels, 82-78. North Carolina’s 2.4 turnover percentage was their largest strength over Duke, who had a mark of 10.6. The Tar Heels’ mark was better than their season average of 14.8. Marvin Bagley III put together a good game for Duke, recording 15 points and 16 rebounds.
The Yellow Jackets got blown out by the Louisville Cardinals in their last contest, 77-54. Louisville’s turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Georgia Tech. The Cardinals had a rate of 13.8 (better than their season average of 14.8), while the Yellow Jackets posted a mark of 25.2 (above their season average of 16.8). Georgia Tech’s Josh Okogie had a good game, leading both teams in scoring with 25 points on 9-for-18 shooting.
Duke could have their way on the defensive side of the ball as they go head-to-head against one of the nation’s worst offenses. The Blue Devils currently rank 36th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.471), while Georgia Tech is 316th in effective field goal percentage (0.475).
Duke holds records of 19-5 straight up (SU) and 13-9 against the spread (ATS). Blue Devils games tend to finish over the projected point total (68.2 percent).
Meanwhile, Georgia Tech owns records of 11-13 SU and 10-9-1 ATS. Contrary to Duke, Yellow Jackets games have a tendency to go under the total (60.0 percent).
Okogie has averaged 18.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.2 blocks over the last five games for Georgia Tech.
After the Blue Devils won the only contest against the Yellow Jackets last season, 110-57, these teams will clash for the first time this year. The Blue Devils had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.671 vs. 0.365) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (50.0 vs. 30.4).
Duke Blue Devils at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Betting Pick
Free Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Duke, ATS Winner – Duke, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Duke is 7-5 ATS on the road with 9 overs and 3 unders.
Georgia Tech is 7-4 ATS at home with 7 unders and 4 overs.
Duke ranks second in rebounds per game (42.5) while Georgia Tech ranks 206th (34.1).
The Blue Devils rank fourth in assists per game (18.5) while the Yellow Jackets rank 202nd (12.6).
Georgia Tech ranks 44th in three pointers allowed per game (19.5) while Duke ranks 207th (23.6).
The Blue Devils rank 13th in blocks per game (5.4) while the Yellow Jackets rank 90th in blocks allowed per game (3.2).
Duke averages 7.2 steals per game, which ranks 60th in the NCAA. Georgia Tech ranks 121st in steals allowed per game (6.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Duke is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Georgia Tech is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Blue Devils’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.2, down from 16.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Yellow Jackets have scored an average of 65.6 points per game (0.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 73.6 points per game (7.8 above their season average).
