Betting on the Appalachian State Mountaineers (TBA)
Just when the Mountaineers began winning games, they are scheduled to run into a wall that is Duke this coming Saturday. Appalachian State shook off a pair of losses to begin the season before getting back-to-back wins over fellow minnows Warren Wilson and Hartford.
The Mountaineers know how to score, as they are burning the hoop for 89.3 PPG. Their two best scorers are Ronshad Shabazz and Patrick Good, who are averaging 17.5 PPG and 12.3 PPG, respectively. Shabazz went off for 28 points in the Hartford game, while Good disappeared, scoring just five points.
Rebounding will be key for the Appalachian State in order to slow down Duke, which is currently tops in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency per Kenpom.com. The Mountaineers are 28th overall nationally with 43.5 RPG.
After suffering a heartbreaking 77-75 loss to Kansas last week, the Blue Devils went back to their winning ways, ripping together three-straight victories.
Like Appalachian State, the Blue Devils have a high-scoring offense, one that averages 84.3 PPG. Against William & Mary on Wednesday, they shot 50.0% from the field on their way to a decisive 88-67 victory.
The Blue Devils have a deeper lineup than Appalachian State, though, with five players averaging double figures in scoring led by Luke Kennard’s 17.0 PPG.
Freshman Frank Jackson, meanwhile, is already making his mark in the college scene, as he’s putting up 16.2 PPG.
Kennard and company could exploit a seemingly porous perimeter defense, which allows opponents to shoot 40.0% from beyond the arc. Kennard leads the team with 14threes on the season, while Jackson and Grayson Allen have 12 and 11, respectively.
