PREMIUM
3-Game NCAAB SWEEPER PASS
(NCAAB) Duke vs. Virginia,
Point Spread: 4.50 | -102.00 Duke (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: 4.50 | -102.00 Duke (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The 20-5 Duke Blue Devils jumped from 18 to 12 in Monday's AP poll and head to Charlottesville 8-4 in ACC play where the 14th-ranked 18-6 Virginia Cavaliers await, also 8-4 in league play. The ACC race is tightening at the top and now, every game carries added importance
Duke: The Blue Devils have won five in a row, including their last two road games, at Wake Forest and Notre Dame. Coach K is back on the sidelines and Duke is beginning to look like the team that was ranked No. 1 in the preseason before a rash of injuries led to some unexpected struggles. The team owns an outstanding mix of veterans and dynamic freshmen. Sophomore Luke Kennard (20.0 & 5.1) leads the team in scoring and has hit 45.9 percent from three-point range. Junior Grayson Allen (15.9-4.4-4.0) has flourished in the primary PG role (plus has stayed out of trouble, lately) while 6-9 senior Jefferson (11.3 & 9.10 has been healthy all season. The emergence of 6-8 freshman Jayson Tatum (15.6 & 7.0) alongside Jefferson in the frontcourt has made the Blue Devils a more complete team and what happens if the 6-10 freshman Harry Giles (5.0 & 4.4 in 14 games) ever finds his game?
Virginia: The Cavaliers win with defense, leading the nation in holding opponents to 55.1 PPG. The team's grinding style of play doesn't allow for too much scoring (69.3 PPG ranks 271st), led by PG London Perrantes (12.6 & 3.9 APG) and he has upped his production to 15.7 PPG in ACC play. Fellow guards Marial Shayok (9.7) and Devon Hall (8.5 & 4.4) also have averaged double digits in points during league play. The 6-7 Isaiah Wilkins (7.6 & 6.3) leads the team in rebounds, blocks and steals.
The pick: The saying goes that a good defense beats a good offense but I'm not convinced Virginia can slow Duke enough (Blue Devils average 81.9 PPG on 48.2% shooting) or score enough themselves in this contest. Duke has beaten Virginia in three consecutive regular-season matchups and I say make it four straight, here. Duke is a 10* play.
Duke: The Blue Devils have won five in a row, including their last two road games, at Wake Forest and Notre Dame. Coach K is back on the sidelines and Duke is beginning to look like the team that was ranked No. 1 in the preseason before a rash of injuries led to some unexpected struggles. The team owns an outstanding mix of veterans and dynamic freshmen. Sophomore Luke Kennard (20.0 & 5.1) leads the team in scoring and has hit 45.9 percent from three-point range. Junior Grayson Allen (15.9-4.4-4.0) has flourished in the primary PG role (plus has stayed out of trouble, lately) while 6-9 senior Jefferson (11.3 & 9.10 has been healthy all season. The emergence of 6-8 freshman Jayson Tatum (15.6 & 7.0) alongside Jefferson in the frontcourt has made the Blue Devils a more complete team and what happens if the 6-10 freshman Harry Giles (5.0 & 4.4 in 14 games) ever finds his game?
Virginia: The Cavaliers win with defense, leading the nation in holding opponents to 55.1 PPG. The team's grinding style of play doesn't allow for too much scoring (69.3 PPG ranks 271st), led by PG London Perrantes (12.6 & 3.9 APG) and he has upped his production to 15.7 PPG in ACC play. Fellow guards Marial Shayok (9.7) and Devon Hall (8.5 & 4.4) also have averaged double digits in points during league play. The 6-7 Isaiah Wilkins (7.6 & 6.3) leads the team in rebounds, blocks and steals.
The pick: The saying goes that a good defense beats a good offense but I'm not convinced Virginia can slow Duke enough (Blue Devils average 81.9 PPG on 48.2% shooting) or score enough themselves in this contest. Duke has beaten Virginia in three consecutive regular-season matchups and I say make it four straight, here. Duke is a 10* play.
