The top-ranked Duke Blue Devils (12-1, 1-0 ACC) and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (7-6, 0-1 ACC) battle at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Blue Devils will attempt to extend their five-game winning streak. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, and will air on ESPN.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons ATS Odds
Both teams were triumphant in their last game. The Demon Deacons were victorious over the North Carolina A&T Aggies 90-78, while the Blue Devils dismantled the second-ranked Kentucky Wildcats 118-84.
Duke played a nearly perfect game. They had a turnover percentage of 4.2 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.620. Kentucky had marks of 16.5 and 0.475, respectively, for those same stats. The Demon Deacons, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (54.8 vs. 22.9) and had a much better free throw rate (0.464 vs. 0.220). Jaylen Hoard put together a good game for Wake Forest with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Duke received a boost from R.J. Barrett, who finished with 33 points and six assists.
The Blue Devils dominated this series last year, taking both contests. In the last contest, Duke won 84-70. Getting to the charity stripe was one of Duke’s largest advantages. They made 39 trips to the line, while Wake Forest went just 13 times. This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year.
Both teams have had a couple of players take their game to the next level over their last five games. Zion Williamson (0 points) and Barrett (0 points) have been fantastic for the Blue Devils, while Brandon Childress (0 points) and Hoard (0 points) have made great contributions to the Demon Deacons.
Wake Forest does a great job at getting to the charity stripe. They rank fourth in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.343), but Duke is among the best in the NCAA at keeping opponents off the line (ranking ninth by allowing a FTA rate of 0.152). Furthermore, the sixth-ranked offense of the Blue Devils (offensive efficiency of 119.8) will try to take advantage of the 275th-ranked defense of the Demon Deacons (defensive efficiency of 106.2).
Duke Blue Devils at Wake Forest Demon Deacons ATS Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Duke, ATS Winner – Duke, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Duke ranks 10th in assists per game (18.1) while Wake Forest ranks 211th (11.4).
- The Blue Devils rank first in blocks per game (7.8) while the Demon Deacons rank 109th (3.1).
- Wake Forest ranks 34th in rebounds allowed per game (31.5) while Duke ranks 136th (35.2).
- The Blue Devils rank second in steals per game (11.6) while the Demon Deacons rank 185th (5.0).
- Duke ranks 87th in three pointers attempted per game (24.5) while Wake Forest ranks 242nd (19.1).
Bettings Trends:
- The Blue Devils’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 25.2, down from 27.2 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Demon Deacons have scored an average of 77.0 points per game (2.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 76.4 points per game (2.7 above their season average).
