Both teams will try to prolong their five game winning streaks as the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils (11-1) challenge the Clemson Tigers (10-3) at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game can be seen on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 5, 2019.
Clemson Tigers vs. Duke Blue Devils Betting Prediction
In the Tigers’ last matchup, they blew out the Citadel Bulldogs, 100-80. The Tigers had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (21.4 vs. 8.3) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.648 vs. 0.534). With 20 points on 7-for-13 shooting, Marcquise Reed was the top scorer from either team.
The Blue Devils won big over the No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats in their last game, 118-84. The Blue Devils had a much better turnover percentage (4.2 vs. 16.5) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.620 vs. 0.475). R.J. Barrett was the top scorer from either team with 33 points on 13-for-26 shooting from the field.
After the Blue Devils won the only game against the Tigers last season, 66-57, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. The Blue Devils made 22 of their 26 free throws (84.6 percent) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.449 vs. 0.385).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Shelton Mitchell (0 points) has been fantastic for the Tigers while Zion Williamson (0 points) has made great contributions to the Blue Devils.
Expect this one to be a clinic on boxing out as two of the NCAA’s top rebounding teams square off. The Blue Devils rank fourth in offensive rebounding percentage (40.1 percent), while Clemson ranks 14th in defensive rebounding percentage (77.4 percent). Ball protection could be troublesome for the Tigers. They rank 277th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 20.7 percent), while the Blue Devils force the 32nd-most turnovers in the NCAA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 23.0 percent).
Clemson vs. Duke Free Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Duke, ATS Winner – Duke, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Duke ranks ninth in assists per game (18.3) while Clemson ranks 172nd (12.3).
The Blue Devils rank second in rebounds per game (45.3) while the Tigers rank 149th (35.8).
Duke ranks second in steals per game (11.5) while Clemson ranks 84th in steals allowed per game (6.2).
The Tigers rank 11th in blocks allowed per game (2.1) while the Blue Devils rank 92nd (3.4).
Duke averages 24.7 three pointers per game, which ranks 78th in the NCAA. Clemson ranks 102nd in three pointers allowed per game (21.8).
Bettings Trends:
The Tigers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 14.6, up from 9.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Blue Devils have scored an average of 92.8 points per game (1.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 67.6 points per game (3.9 above their season average).
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