College Basketball Betting: Duke at Notre Dame
Two of the best teams in the nation’s top conference will go head-to-head on Wednesday night in college hoop action. The fourth ranked Duke Blue Devils take a trip to South Bend to play No. 8 Notre Dame in a key ACC battle. The Blue Devils have rebounded with three straight wins after faceplanting versus N.C. State and Miami. With upcoming matchups against Virginia, North Carolina, and Notre Dame again, the young Devils needs to beat the best to keep pace in what will be a tight race to the finish. Meanwhile, the Irish have been rolling behind a balanced starting five that is deadly from the perimeter. In a game between two of the country’s most efficient offenses, expect a fair amount of fireworks. Here’s a preview and prediction.
DUKE AT NOTRE DAME +1
As was the case a year ago with Jabari Parker, Coach K’s squad is led by a one-and-done wunderkind freshman. Center Jahlil Okafor has been dominant from the jump, averaging 18.5 points and 9 rebounds per game; he’s netted double-digit points in every start and has recorded six double-doubles. He’s also a favorite to win Player of the Year, and will most likely be the number one pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. As great as he is, he needs help from the likes of Quin Cook, Justise Winslow, Amile Jefferson, and fellow freshman blue chipper Tyus Jones in order for Duke to challenge for the ACC title. Jones in particular has emerged of late, averaging 18 points and six assists in his last three games. The Devils have knocked off Wisconsin and Louisville, but struggled mightily defending outside shooters in losses to the Wolfpack and Hurricanes. If they fail to defend Notre Dame’s long range snipers, it will be a long night for the visitors.
The Irish have that look. The look of a team that could be playing in April. The senior duo of Jerian Grant and Pat Connaughton are do-it-all leaders with savvy and experience to spare. As a team, they boast five players with at least 28 made three pointers. They lack prowess on the glass, but make up for it by owning the second best field goal percentage in college basketball. Their two defeats have been by a combined seven points, including a back-and-forth tussle with No. 3 Virginia, which represents their only loss at home. Collapsing on Okafor and letting others convert shots will be a priority; they have no one to match his talent in the paint, so it will take a collective effort to prevent him from wreaking havoc. Sophomore forward V.J. Beachem is one to watch; he’s streaky for sure, but firing clutch missiles from beyond the arc is his specialty. The Devils are prone to sloppy habits on defense, so attacking them one-on-one and in transition is a sound strategy.
Duke is 10-8-1 ATS overall and 3-3 ATS on the road. Notre Dame is 4-5 ATS at home. A fevered home crowd and the Blue Devils’ youth will be difference in this one.
Bet Notre Dame +1
