It will be a showdown between two outstanding offenses when the 16th-ranked Louisville Cardinals (17-7, 8-3 ACC) clash against the second-ranked Duke Blue Devils (21-2, 9-1 ACC) at KFC Yum! Center. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 12, 2019, and will air on ESPN.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Louisville Cardinals ATS Odds
In their last outing, the Cardinals fell to the 22nd-ranked Florida State Seminoles, 80-75, while the Blue Devils defeated the third-ranked Virginia Cavaliers, 81-71.
The Blue Devils had a phenomenal free throw rate of 0.356 (above their season average of 0.234) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.722 (above their season average of 0.543). Louisville, meanwhile, made 12 of their 28 three pointers (42.9 percent). Louisville received a boost from Christen Cunningham, who had 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists. R.J. Barrett had a solid performance for Duke, finishing with 26 points and seven rebounds.
The Blue Devils won the lone contest between these two teams last season, 82-56. One of Duke’s biggest advantages was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 15-16 (93.8 percent), while the Cardinals were just 5-7 (71.4 percent). This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year.
This showdown pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses as Louisville ranks 43rd in offensive efficiency and Duke is fifth in defensive efficiency.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Louisville Cardinals ATS Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Duke, ATS Winner – Louisville, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Duke ranks third in steals per game (10.5) while Louisville ranks 209th (4.9).
- The Cardinals rank 72nd in rebounds per game (37.5) while the Blue Devils rank 162nd in rebounds allowed per game (35.2).
- Louisville averages 24.6 three pointers per game, which ranks 87th in the NCAA. Duke ranks 103rd in three pointers allowed per game (21.4).
- The Blue Devils rank first in blocks per game (7.4) while the Cardinals rank 130th (3.0).
- Duke ranks 17th in assists per game (16.9) while Louisville ranks 108th (14.0).
Bettings Trends:
- The Blue Devils’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 20.0, down from 21.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Cardinals have scored an average of 72.8 points per game (5.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 65.6 points per game (2.9 below their season average).
