Offense meets defense when the St. John’s Red Storm (16-5) head to Duke to take on the No. 2 Blue Devils (18-2). The game starts at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 2, 2019, and will air on ESPN.
St. John’s Red Storm at Duke Blue Devils Free Prediction
In the Red Storm’s last game, they beat the Creighton Bluejays, 83-67. St. John’s was lights out from beyond the arc (13-31; 41.9 percent). Creighton, on the other hand, had a better free throw rate (0.133 vs. 0.070). With 26 points on 10-for-17 shooting, Shamorie Ponds was the top scorer from either team.
The Blue Devils won big over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in their last outing, 83-61. The Blue Devils had a ridiculous effective field goal percentage of 0.627 (above their season average of 0.538), while the Fighting Irish had a free throw rate of 0.106 (below their season average of 0.235). Zion Williamson was the game’s high scorer with 26 points on 10-for-12 shooting from the field.
After the Red Storm won the lone game against the Blue Devils last season, 81-77, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Red Storm’s 13.1 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over the Blue Devils, who had a mark of 22.0.
This meeting figures to be a shootout as a pair of the nation’s premier offenses face off. Duke ranks ninth with 117.2 points per 100 possessions and St. John’s is 53rd (112.2). Moreover, the Red Storm rank 10th in turnover percentage (14.8 percent), while the Blue Devils rank 51st in opponents’ turnover percentage (22.0 percent).
St. John’s Red Storm vs. Duke Blue Devils Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Duke, ATS Winner – St. John’s, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Duke averages 42.8 rebounds per game, which ranks fourth in the country. St. John’s ranks 215th in rebounds allowed per game (36.9).
The Blue Devils rank 96th in three pointers allowed per game (21.3) while the Red Storm rank 236th (25.6).
Duke averages 17.1 assists per game, which ranks 18th in the NCAA. St. John’s ranks 149th in assists allowed per game (13.4).
The Blue Devils rank first in blocks per game (7.5) while the Red Storm rank 124th (3.0).
St. John’s averages 8.8 steals per game, which ranks 16th in the NCAA. Duke ranks 105th in steals allowed per game (6.3).
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The Red Storm’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.6, down from 9.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Blue Devils have scored an average of 78.2 points per game (9.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.6 points per game (2.6 above their season average).
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