It’s time for conference play, folks. And for the Clemson Tigers, that means they are going to start their ACC schedule with a showdown with No. 1 Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Clemson (+15,000 to win national title) is experienced and has one of the best seniors in the conference – if not the nation – in the form of Marquise Reed. But will that help Clemson break down Duke’s armor? Or will the Blue Devils (+175 to win national title) hand Clemson its first loss of the year?
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Betting Preview for the Clemson Tigers vs. Duke Blue Devils College Basketball Game on January 5, 2019
Where: Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham
When: Saturday, January 5, 2019, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Clemson Tigers (odds) vs. Duke Blue Devils (odds) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Clemson Tigers (10-3 Overall / 0-0 Conference)
The Tigers have regained stability just in time for a high-profile matchup with Duke. After an 82-71 neutral-court loss to the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Dec. 8, Clemson has regrouped and won four-straight games. That stretch includes the Tigers’ 84-67 win over the Lipscomb Bisons at home on Jan. 1. None of the Tigers’ last four opponents, however, approximate the power of Duke. The good thing for them is that at least they are heading into a tough matchup riding a wave of momentum. Marcquise Reed, Clemson’s best player has also returned after a short absence due to a knee injury and has looked in top form in the last two games. Against Lipscomb, Reed scored 26 points and posted five assists and six rebounds in 33 minutes. Needless to say, it would take more than a huge performance from Reed to beat a power like Duke, so Shelton Mitchell (13.8 PPG) and Elijah Thomas (13.5 PPG) are going to step up.
Clemson is 3-0 ATS in its last three games.
Betting on the Duke Blue Devils (11-1 Overall / 0-0 Conference)
To have R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson on the same team is quite a luxury for Duke, and the Blue Devils are definitely enjoying it. In their last game, the Blue Devils topped a previously undefeated Texas Tech Red Raiders to the tune of a 69-58 score. Barrett was not quite on top of his game against Texas Tech, as he only went 7-for-22 from the field to finish with an inefficient 16 points. Zion Williamson, meanwhile, had 17 points on 4-for-9 shooting from the floor. He made most of his points from the charity stripe (9-for-10), showing how hard it is to actually stop the manchild. Barrett is scoring 23.8 points per game, while Williamson chips in 19.8. The duo is a major reason why Duke is second in the nation with 91.6 points per contest, but both players also pay their dues on the other end of the floor, particularly on the boards. Williamson is pulling down 9.4 rebounds per game, while both Jack White and Barrett get 6.8. No wonder that Duke is tops in the nation with 45.3 boards per outing – way more than Clemson’s average of 35.5.
Duke is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Duke wins, 78-67.
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