Duke Blue Devils – March Madness Team Predictions, Odds and Preview 2017

Duke Blue Devils (Overall: 27-8, Conf: 11-7)

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Team Strengths:

Despite a struggle late in the regular season in which they went 1-3 and averaged 10 points fewer than its season output in the last four games before the ACC Tournament, it’d be criminally premature to say that the Blue Devils’ offense has officially gone sour. This is a team laden with elite talent from top to bottom.

The offense could grope for form at times but with players lilke Luke Kennard and Grayson Allen—not to mention Jayson Tatum—the Blue Devils could explode on any given game and show why they’re 28th in the nation in scoring (80.5 PPG) and 33rd in field goal percentage (47.3). Duke has five five players averaging at least 10.4 PPG, led by Kennard who puts up 20.1 per contest. The Blue Devils are the odds-on favorites at +700 to lift the title this season.

Team Weaknesses:

Okay, we know Duke could score. But how about its defense? Coach K’s Blue Devils, on paper, have the look of a solid defensive team. Duke allows ust 69.1 PPG. Opponents struggle to drain three-pointers against the Blue Devils, who give up just 5.0 per game. That said, they’ve been soft around the rim, especially when Amile Jefferson is on the bench. Duke absorbs 47.7 shots at the rim from opponents, who make 61.4% of them.

Team Stats:

Category | Stat | Rank
Points Per Game | 80.5 | 26
Rebounds Per Game | 36.8 | 99
Blocks Per Game | 4.4 | 58
3-Point Percentage | 37.5 | 65
Free Throw Percentage | 75.4 | 36

Starting Lineup:

Position | Name | PPG
F | Amile Jefferson | 11.2
F | Jayson Tatum | 16.0
G | Matt Jones | 7.4
G | Grayson Allen | 14.5
G | Luke Kennard | 20.1

Writer’s Prediction:

Duke (+700) joins the Elite Eight round.

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