It will be a showdown between two phenomenal offenses when the 11th-ranked Michigan State Spartans (5-2), 5-point favorites, clash against the 10th-ranked Duke Blue Devils (7-1) at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 146.5 points and it can be seen on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 3, 2019.
Duke Blue Devils at Michigan State Spartans ATS Odds
Both teams beat their last opponent. The Spartans (14-point favorites) defeated the UCLA Bruins 75-62, while the Blue Devils (24.5-point favorites) beat the Winthrop Eagles 83-70. The Michigan State game went 4.5 points under the projected point total of 141.5, while the Duke game finished 12 points over the projected point total of 141.
The Blue Devils made 16 of their 22 free throws (72.7 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.588 (above their season average of 0.501). Meanwhile, Michigan State played a nearly perfect game. They had a superb turnover percentage of 9.0 (better than their season average of 14.7) and a free throw rate of 0.420 (above their season average of 0.234). For those same stats, UCLA recorded marks of 13.3 and 0.286, respectively. Cassius Winston had a good performance for Michigan State with 20 points. Vernon Carey Jr. led the way for Duke, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
The Spartans won the lone contest between these two teams last season, 68-67. The Spartans’ 8.8 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Blue Devils, who had a mark of 21.3.
Of the Blue Devils’ eight games, six have gone over the projected point total. Duke heads into the contest with records of 7-1 straight up (SU) and 4-4 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike Duke, Spartans games have a tendency to finish under the O/U total (57.1 percent). Michigan State has an excellent 5-2 SU record, but they are just 2-5 ATS.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the high-powered offense of Michigan State takes on the stingy defense of Duke. Since the 2018-19 season, the Spartans rank eighth in offensive efficiency, while the Blue Devils are 13th in defensive efficiency. It will also be a battle of contrasting styles as the fast-paced Blue Devils rank 30th in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Spartans rank 264th.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Michigan State Spartans ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Michigan State, ATS Winner – Michigan State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2018-Present):
- Duke ranks fifth in steals per game (9.2) while Michigan State ranks 259th (5.2).
- The Spartans average 18.3 assists per game, which ranks second in the nation. The Blue Devils rank 126th in assists allowed per game (12.5).
- Duke averages 23.1 three pointers per game, which ranks 137th in the country. Michigan State ranks 200th in three pointers allowed per game (22.9).
- The Spartans average 5.2 blocks per game, which ranks 10th in the NCAA. The Blue Devils rank 168th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
- Michigan State averages 40.6 rebounds per game, which ranks ninth in the NCAA. Duke ranks 165th in rebounds allowed per game (34.8).