The No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks (30-7) go head-to-head against the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils (29-7) in the Elite Eight at CenturyLink Center Omaha. The game is scheduled to get underway at 5:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 25, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 155.5 points with Duke set as a 3.5-point favorite.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Kansas Jayhawks ATS Prediction
In the Sweet 16, the Blue Devils beat the No. 11 Syracuse Orange, 69-65. Duke’s turnover percentage was their largest strength over Syracuse. The Blue Devils had a rate of 9.3 (better than their season average of 15.1), while the Orange posted a mark of 21.5 (above their season average of 16.3). Wendell Carter Jr. had a good outing for Duke, finishing with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
The Jayhawks defeated the No. 5 Clemson Tigers in the Sweet 16, 80-76. Kansas made 10 of their 22 three pointers (45.5 percent), while Clemson was 6-20 (30.0 percent). With 14 points and 11 rebounds, Udoka Azubuike had a solid performance for Kansas.
The game should be a battle of strength against strength as the high-powered offense of Kansas takes on the stingy defense of Duke. The Jayhawks rank 14th in offensive efficiency, while the Blue Devils are 35th in defensive efficiency. Moreover, the Blue Devils, who rank first in offensive rebounding percentage (39.2 percent), will try to take advantage of the Jayhawks, who rank 299th in defensive rebounding percentage (68.5 percent).
Duke holds records of 29-7 straight up (SU) and 22-12 against the spread (ATS). Of the Blue Devils’ 34 games with betting action, 18 have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Kansas is 30-7 SU and 19-16-1 ATS. Jayhawks games have no tendency in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Malik Newman has averaged 22.0 points and 1.6 steals over the last five games for Kansas.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Kansas Jayhawks ATS Pick
Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Kansas, ATS Winner – Kansas, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Kansas ranks 13th in assists per game (16.8) while Duke ranks 226th in assists allowed per game (14.4).
The Blue Devils rank fourth in rebounds per game (41.4) while the Jayhawks rank 181st in rebounds allowed per game (35.3).
Kansas averages 24.8 three pointers per game, which ranks 58th in the nation. Duke ranks 215th in three pointers allowed per game (23.2).
The Blue Devils rank 22nd in blocks per game (5.1) while the Jayhawks rank 154th in blocks allowed per game (3.5).
Duke ranks 40th in steals per game (7.4) while Kansas ranks 105th (6.6).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Duke is 3-2 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push.
Kansas is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Blue Devils’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.8, down from 15.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Jayhawks have scored an average of 80.6 points per game (0.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.4 points per game (0.6 below their season average).
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