The No. 3 Duke Blue Devils (+200 to win the national title) are getting another gimme team this Saturday, when they host the Yale Bulldogs. The Bulldogs know how to score, but can their high-scoring offense do anything when met by Zion Williams and company in Durham?
Click here to make your NCAA basketball picks
Betting Preview for the Yale Bulldogs vs. Duke Blue Devils College Basketball Game on December 8, 2018
Where: Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham
When: Saturday, December 8, 5:30 AM ET
Line: Yale Bulldogs (odds) vs. Duke Blue Devils (odds) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Yale Bulldogs (4-2 Overall / 0-0 Conference)
The Bulldogs continued their unbeaten run on Wednesday, as Yale defeated the LeHigh Mountain Hawks, 97-87. Yale’s offense went way above the passing grade, with the Bulldogs knocking down 50.8 percent of their shots, while also sinking 11 of their 31 shot attempts from deep. Guard Miye Oni paced Yale again with 20 points to go with five assists and a steal. Meanwhile, senior guard Trey Phills came out of nowhere to score 20 points while also adding five rebounds and four dimes. Yale is among the highest scoring team in the nation. It’s pumping out 87.5 points per game – eight in Division I ball – while also making 51.4 percent from the field – sixth overall. Of course, Yale is unlikely to shoot that well
against Duke, but don’t say the Bulldogs don’t have the audacity to challenge the Blue Devils’ defense. After all, they already have one win against a major-conference team after scoring a 77-73 neutral-site victory over the Miami Hurricanes on Dec. 1.
The Bulldogs are 1-2 straight up (SU) away from home so far this season, while the over is 3-0 in Yale’s last three road games.
Betting on the Duke Blue Devils (8-1 Overall / 0-0 Conference)
Duke destroying teams have become a common occurrence of late, which was expected of it before going on this current soft stretch of the Blue Devils’ schedule. After blowing out the Stetson Hatters in a 113-49 home win, Zion Williams and company pummeled the Hartford Hawks in an 84-54 victory. Those are the kind of wins emblematic of a team that has a pair of beasts or a group of top-tier recruits like Duke. As usual, Duke’s freshmen tandem of Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett led the way for the Blue Devils in their overpowering of Hartford. Williamson had 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Barrett had 27 points and 15 rebounds to go with four assists. Yale just doesn’t have a talent – and bulk – to stop those two players on single coverage. Williamson and Barrett are averaging 23.1 and 20.8 points, respectively, and both are shooting above 45 percent from the field this season. It’s almost unfair that Duke also has the likes of Cam Reddish, Tre Jones, and Marques Bolden on the team. Duke, which is third in KenPom in adjusted offensive efficiency, should have no problem tearing apart Yale’s defense that allows 78.0 points per game.
Duke is 3-1 against the spread (ATS) in its last four games as the home team.
Writer’s Prediction
Duke wins, 94-68.
Click here to make your NCAA basketball picks
1,783 total views, 1 views today