The No. 7 Florida Gators (5-0) and the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils (7-0) battle in the Phil Knight Invitational – Motion at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 162.5 points with Duke set as a 2.5-point favorite. Action begins at 10:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 26, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Florida Gators ATS Preview
In the Blue Devils last matchup, they defeated the Texas Longhorns, 85-78. Marvin Bagley III was the games high scorer with 34 points on 12-for-19 shooting. Duke played a nearly perfect game. They had a fantastic free throw rate of 0.328 (above their season average of 0.239) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 41.9 (below their season average of 45.0). For those same stats, Texas was 0.200 and 30.4, respectively.
The Gators hope to keep it rolling after beating the No. 17 Gonzaga Bulldogs in their last outing, 111-105. Floridas Chris Chiozza led the way, recording 26 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. Florida dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a fantastic free throw rate of 0.389 (above their season average of 0.309) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.576 (below their season average of 0.604). Gonzaga had marks of 0.241 and 0.544, respectively, for those same stats.
This contest figures to be a high-scoring affair as a pair of the nations best offenses battle. Dating back to last season, Florida ranks 23rd with 114.6 points per 100 possessions and Duke is sixth (118.5). Moreover, the Blue Devils rank 31st in turnover percentage (16.5 percent), while the Gators rank 54th in opponents turnover percentage (20.9 percent).
Both of these teams have typically gone over the projected point total. Duke games have finished over 100.0 percent of the time, while 100.0 percent of games featuring Florida have gone over. Both teams have excellent straight up (SU) records (7-0 for Duke; 5-0 for Florida), but the Gators have the advantage against the spread (ATS). Florida is 4-1 ATS, while the Blue Devils are 4-1.
The Blue Devils won the sole game against the Gators last season, 84-74. Duke had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.582 vs. 0.475). Florida, on the other hand, had a better free throw rate (0.262 vs. 0.213).
Duke Blue Devils vs. Florida Gators Betting Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Florida, ATS Winner – Florida, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Blue Devils are 22nd in the NCAA with 2.5 blocks allowed per game while the Gators are 37th with 2.7 blocks allowed per game.
- Duke is 37th in the NCAA with 18.7 three pointers allowed per game while Florida is 39th with 18.8 three pointers allowed per game.
- Florida ranks 32nd in steals per game (7.6) while Duke ranks 137th (6.4).
- The Gators rank fifth in assists allowed per game (10.0) while the Blue Devils rank 108th (12.6).
- Duke averages 37.9 rebounds per game, which ranks 68th in the nation. Florida ranks 164th in rebounds allowed per game (35.0).
