The No. 1 Duke Blue Devils (11-0) are off to a hot start and will try to stay unbeaten when they square off with the Boston College Eagles (6-3) at Silvio O. Conte Forum. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 9, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN.
Duke Blue Devils at Boston College Eagles ATS Preview
In the Blue Devils last game, they dismantled the Saint Francis U Red Flash, 124-67. Marvin Bagley III was the top scorer from either team with 21 points on 9-for-13 shooting. The Blue Devils held the Red Flash to an offensive rebounding percentage of 10.2 (below their season average of 28.8) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.694 (above their season average of 0.554).
The Eagles will look to keep it rolling after topping the Hartford Hawks in their last game, 73-61. With 23 points on 7-for-14 shooting, Jerome Robinson was the top scorer from either team. Boston College dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.197 (below their season average of 0.220) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 39.4 (above their season average of 36.2). Hartford recorded marks of 0.088 and 22.9, respectively, for those same stats.
Points at the line might be scarce for Boston College in this contest. Since last season, the Eagles rank 309th in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.205, while Duke ranks 56th in FTA rate allowed (0.206). Furthermore, the sweet-shooting offense of the Blue Devils ranks 31st in effective field goal percentage (0.553), while the Eagles have been 89th-worst in the nation at effective field goal percentage allowed (0.519).
Bagley III has taken his game to another level over the last five games for Duke, averaging 24.8 points, 13.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
The Blue Devils won the only contest against the Eagles last season, 93-82. The Blue Devils played a nearly perfect game. They had an absurd free throw rate of 0.411 and a turnover percentage of 18.6. For those same stats, the Eagles recorded marks of 0.242 and 23.0, respectively.
Duke Blue Devils at Boston College Eagles Betting Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Boston College, ATS Winner – Boston College, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Blue Devils rank 49th in rebounds per game (38.6) while the Eagles rank 136th (36.5).
- Duke ranks 18th in steals allowed per game (4.8) while Boston College ranks 215th (6.9).
- The Blue Devils rank 87th in assists per game (14.8) while the Eagles rank 253rd in assists allowed per game (14.9).
- Duke ranks 35th in blocks per game (4.9) while Boston College ranks 191st (2.9).
