Marvin Bagley III and the Duke Blue Devils open their National Tournament campaign this Thursday against an Iona Gaels squad that is looking to book a pumpkin ride. Read on for our preview and prediction for this game. Register here to make your pick.
Betting Preview for the Iona Gaels vs Duke Blue Devils College Basketball Championship Tournament Round 1 Game on March 15 2018
Where: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh
When: Thursday, March 15, 00:00 PM ET
Line: Iona Gaels (n/a) vs Duke Blue Devils (n/a) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the Iona Gaels (20-13)
The Gaels know the incredible quality of their next opponents. At the very least, they should avoid shooting themselves in the foot against Duke by avoiding unforced errors. Iona, which won the MAAC Tournament by beating Fairfield in the finals, 83-71, last Monday. In that game, though, the Gaels committed 12 turnovers. The Gaels record just 11.7 points per game, but Duke’s defense is poised to make Iona cough more possessions than that. Iona also needs to get its groove on early. The Gaels are 38th in the nation with a 79.8 points per game average. They have five players scoring in double figures per game led by Rickey McGill who is putting up 13.5 PPG. They are a threat, too, from deep, as the Gaels bury 9.7 three-pointers per game on an above-average shooting percentage of 38.8. Gaels are definitely the underdogs here, but if they get hot on offense, it could put pressure on Duke and turn the tide to their advantage.
Betting on the Duke Blue Devils (26-7)
Duke failed to win the ACC Tournament, but that did little to damage the Blue Devils’ status as among the favorites to win the tournament. The Blue Devils are the only team to rank inside the top seven in KenPom’s offensive and defensive adjusted efficiencies. When playing to their maximum potential, the Blue Devils are close to impossible of being contained. They are averaging 84.7 points per game, thanks to their bevy of top-tier talents like Marvin Bagley III, who finished the regular season leading the ACC in points (21.1 PPG) and rebounds (11.5). Grayson Allen and Gary Trent Jr. Complement Bagley perfectly, and the three of them are expected to toy with Iona’s defense that lets opponents shoot 51.4 percent inside the arc. Duke should also have countless of opportunities on offense thanks to its elite rebounding, finishing the regular season second overall with 41.8 rebounds per game.
Writer’s Prediction
Duke sends Iona home. Blue Devils win here, 85-69.
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