Duke Blue Devils vs. Florida State Seminoles NCAAB Preview
Where: Donald L. Tucker Center – Tallahassee, Florida
When: Tuesday, January 10, 2017, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Duke Blue Devils (+1.5) at Florida State Seminoles (-1.5) – view all NCAA basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ACC Network
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Betting on the Duke Blue Devils (14-2, 2-1 ACC)
Point Spread: +1.5
Duke should be coming in with great confidence. They were able to do what they were suppose to against inferior teams Georgia Tech and Boston College, as they won both games comfortably and shot over 55 percent from the field.
This next game will be the first of two consecutive tough road games, and will have the added challenge of missing Amile Jefferson (foot), their leading rebounder and shot blocker.
The good news, though, (and somehow bad, considering all the hoopla surrounding it) is the return of Grayson Allen, who’ll be in his third game back after a brief suspension. Despite being minus six in his shooting percentage and PPG average from last season, the junior is still one of the team’s key options. He has acted as more of a passer in his last two, garnering 18 assists during the span.
Should he come back to his big-scoring ways, expect him to be along Luke Kennard (20.3 PPG) and freshman Jayson Tatum (17 PPG) in piling points. Kennard has shown the most improvement in the team’s roster. Along with being their designated shooter (53.1 percent shooting, 2.4 threes per game), he’s also becoming a solid defender.
With Jefferson unavailable, we may see more minutes from their other prized recruit, Harry Giles. He’s slowly being eased into the rotation and has shown flashes of his abilities, averaging 16.9 points and 16.9 rebounds per 40 minutes.
As per Kenpom.com, Duke is currently rated fifth in offense and 23rd in defense.
The Blue Devils are only 4-2 on the road this season (2-4 ATS), although they have won four straight against the Seminoles (3-1 ATS).
Betting on the Florida State Seminoles (15-1, 3-0 ACC)
Point Spread: -1.5
Ever since blowing an 18-point lead in the second half to Temple several weeks back, the Seminoles have been wrecking almost everyone in their way. They are now winners of 11 straight – eight of which are by 10 or more points – and are off to the school’s best start in a long time.
What’s more impressive is they are doing this without having a pool of talent that’s as deep as the other top-ranked teams in the nation. Dwyane Bacon (18.1 PPG), currently one of the most explosive guards in college basketball, is only the real good scorer for the ‘Noles.
That being said, the team is so far displaying efficient shooting, as they are making 47.3 percent of their shots (seventh overall). Bacon’s supporting cast, headed by freshman Jonathan Isaac (12.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG), is collectively scoring well, and is helping their star guard in powering FSU into averaging 86.6 PPG (14th overall).
Their team defense has also shown a ton of improvement. Through 16 games this season, they are only giving up 68.8 PPG, while only allowing opponents to shoot 38.9 percent from the field, which is one of the lowest among all top 25 squads.
The Seminoles are 11-0 at Donald L. Tucker Center this season (8-3 ATS).
Writer’s Prediction
The Seminoles (-1.5) win a close one, 88-85.
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