It will be a matchup between two outstanding offenses when the second-ranked Duke Blue Devils (22-2, 10-1 ACC) go head-to-head against the 23rd-ranked North Carolina State Wolfpack (18-7, 6-6 ACC) at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Action gets underway at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 16, 2019, and can be seen on ESPN.
North Carolina State Wolfpack at Duke Blue Devils ATS Odds
Both teams were victorious in their last game. The Blue Devils edged the 16th-ranked Louisville Cardinals 71-69, while the Wolfpack were victorious over the Syracuse Orange 73-58.
North Carolina State played a nearly flawless game. They had a phenomenal free throw rate of 0.408 (above their season average of 0.198) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.541 (above their season average of 0.536). Syracuse was 0.183 and 0.392, respectively, for those same stats. The Blue Devils, meanwhile, made 18 of their 24 free throws (75.0 percent), while the Cardinals had a turnover percentage of 20.6 (above their season average of 16.1). Zion Williamson played a pivotal role for Duke with 27 points and 12 rebounds. North Carolina State was lifted by Torin Dorn, who recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds.
The Wolfpack won the lone game between these two teams last year, 96-85. The Wolfpack’s 11.4 turnover percentage was their largest strength over the Blue Devils, who had a rate of 18.6. This is the first time these teams will meet this year.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the productive offense of Duke (eighth in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 117.0) takes on the top-notch defense of North Carolina State (57th in the NCAA with a defensive efficiency of 96.8). Moreover, the Wolfpack could control the offensive glass in this meeting as they rank 14th in the NCAA in offensive rebounding percentage at 37.0 percent. The Blue Devils, meanwhile, rank 269th in defensive rebounding percentage (69.7 percent).
North Carolina State Wolfpack at Duke Blue Devils Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Duke, ATS Winner – Duke, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Duke ranks first in blocks per game (7.2) while North Carolina State ranks 136th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
- The Wolfpack rank 31st in three pointers allowed per game (19.1) while the Blue Devils rank 120th (21.6).
- Duke ranks 20th in assists per game (16.6) while North Carolina State ranks 81st in assists allowed per game (12.2).
- The Wolfpack average 38.7 rebounds per game, which ranks 34th in the country. The Blue Devils rank 168th in rebounds allowed per game (35.4).
- Duke ranks third in steals per game (10.5) while North Carolina State ranks 129th in steals allowed per game (6.6).
Bettings Trends:
- The Blue Devils’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 17.8, down from 20.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Wolfpack have scored an average of 67.4 points per game (14.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.0 points per game (2.0 above their season average).
