Duke Blue Devils vs. Louisville Cardinals Betting Preview
Where: KFC Yum! Center Center — Louisville, Kentucky
When: Saturday, January 14, 2017, 12:00 PM ET
Line: Duke Blue Devils vs. Louisville Cardinals – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
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Betting on the Duke Blue Devils (14-3, 2-2 ACC)
Seventh-ranked Duke goes into this game coming off a tough road loss against Florida State on Tuesday night, 72-88.
The Blue Devils kept it close for the most part at least, but their horrible shooting display and with Amile Jefferson sidelined with a bone bruise in his right foot, the Seminoles eventually broke the game wide open down the stretch. Duke shot just 41.1 percent from the field, including 29.2 percent from three-point territory, while it was also outhustled in rebounding, 30-38.
Luke Kennard and Jayson Tatum, though, served as one of the few bright spots for the Blue Devils, who are now only 2-2 in conference play. The two finished with 23 and 21 points, respectively. The latter has scored 18 or more points in his last five games.
Grayson Allen, meanwhile, had a relatively quiet night, adding in just nine points before being forced to leave the game after suffering a blow to the head with about six minutes remaining in regulation.
Duke takes on No. 14 Louisville on the road this Saturday in a game that could turn out to be another cold-shooting performance. The Blue Devils will test a Cardinals defense that’s allowing just 61.9 points per contest. They are, though, 2-1 in this matchup since Louisville entered the ACC.
Betting on the Louisville Cardinals (14-3, 2-2 ACC)
Fourteenth-ranked Louisville will have the momentum, not just the crowd, on its side. The Cards are winners of their previous two outings, with the latest win being a near-collapse versus Pittsburgh on Wednesday night, 85-80.
Louisville held a commanding 47-26 advantage at the break, but had cold stretches in the second half, where the Panthers almost rallied all the way back thanks to a 43-point explosion from Jamel Artis.
The Cards, in response, kept their cool, knocking down enough free throws at the end to prevent the comeback. Quentin Snider led them with 22 points while Donovan Mitchell and Ray Spalding pitched in 26 points combined.
It was nice to see the offense collect more than 80 points for just the fifth time this season, despite giving up almost the same amount. But Louisville can’t lose its mettle defensively again, especially versus a Duke offense that’s compiling 84.5 points per contest.
Writer’s Prediction
Duke wins it, 75-68.
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