The seventh-ranked Duke Blue Devils (19-3, 9-2 ACC) will be at the Dean E. Smith Center to challenge the North Carolina Tar Heels (10-12, 3-8 ACC) in an ACC matchup. The game can be seen on ESPN at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 8, 2020.
Duke Blue Devils at North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Odds
In their last matchup, the Tar Heels lost to the eighth-ranked Florida State Seminoles, 65-59, while the Blue Devils were victorious over the Boston College Eagles, 63-55.
The Blue Devils knocked down 16 of their 20 free throws (80.0 percent), while the Eagles had a turnover percentage of 20.9 (above their season average of 17.4). North Carolina, on the other hand, forced Florida State into a turnover percentage of 20.4 (above their season average of 16.4). Cole Anthony fueled North Carolina with 16 points and eight rebounds. Vernon Carey Jr. had a solid performance for Duke, contributing 17 points and 10 rebounds.
The Tar Heels captured this series last year, taking two out of three games. In the most recent contest, Duke won 74-73. Duke had a better effective field goal percentage (0.515 vs. 0.425). North Carolina, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (9.1 vs. 14.5). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
North Carolina might have a difficult time scoring as they battle against one of the NCAA’s best defenses. Duke ranks 14th in defensive efficiency while the Tar Heels rank 240th in offensive efficiency. Furthermore, the Blue Devils are among the nation’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking 11th in offensive rebounding percentage (36.4 percent). The Tar Heels, meanwhile, rank 13th at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 77.6 percent.
Duke Blue Devils vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Odds Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Duke, ATS Winner – Duke, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Duke ranks 10th in three pointers allowed per game (16.3) while North Carolina ranks 253rd (25.3).
- The Blue Devils rank 19th in steals per game (8.7) while the Tar Heels rank 157th (5.9).
- Duke ranks 30th in rebounds per game (39.8) while North Carolina ranks 119th in rebounds allowed per game (34.5).
- The Blue Devils average 6.1 blocks per game, which ranks fifth in the NCAA. The Tar Heels rank 148th in blocks allowed per game (4.1).
- Duke ranks 17th in assists per game (16.4) while North Carolina ranks 158th in assists allowed per game (13.2).
Bettings Trends:
- The Blue Devils’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.6, down from 17.7 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Tar Heels have scored an average of 75.0 points per game (7.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 70.2 points per game (2.8 above their season average).
