It will be a meeting between two exceptional defenses when the third-ranked Duke Blue Devils (15-2, 5-1 ACC) go head-to-head with the 11th-ranked Louisville Cardinals (14-3, 5-1 ACC) at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Action gets underway at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 18, 2020, and can be seen on ESPN.
Louisville Cardinals vs. Duke Blue Devils Betting Odds
In their last matchup, the Blue Devils lost to the Clemson Tigers, 79-72, while the Cardinals were victorious over the Pittsburgh Panthers, 73-68.
The Cardinals forced 16 turnovers and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.483 vs. 0.438). Duke, on the other hand, forced Clemson into a turnover percentage of 20.3 (above their season average of 16.4). Vernon Carey Jr. led the way for Duke, contributing 20 points and seven rebounds. Louisville, meanwhile, was lifted by Dwayne Sutton, who contributed 13 points and nine rebounds.
The Blue Devils won the sole contest between these two teams last season, 71-69. Duke did a great job of converting from the free throw line (18-24; 75.0 percent). Louisville, meanwhile, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.492 vs. 0.421). This is the first time these teams will clash this year.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the high-octane offense of Duke (sixth in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 114.2) takes on the elite defense of Louisville (58th in the NCAA with a defensive efficiency of 92.1).
Louisville at Duke Odds Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Duke, ATS Winner – Louisville, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Duke ranks 16th in steals per game (9.4) while Louisville ranks 227th (4.8).
- The Cardinals rank 34th in assists allowed per game (10.4) while the Blue Devils rank 93rd (11.9).
- Duke ranks 34th in rebounds per game (40.1) while Louisville ranks 79th in rebounds allowed per game (33.4).
- The Blue Devils rank eighth in three pointers allowed per game (15.9) while the Cardinals rank 212th (24.1).
- Duke ranks fifth in blocks per game (6.4) while Louisville ranks 126th (2.9).
Bettings Trends:
- The Blue Devils’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 21.0, up from 19.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Cardinals have scored an average of 69.8 points per game (4.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.2 points per game (7.6 above their season average).
