The No. 1 Duke Blue Devils (4-0) look to remain unbeaten when they clash against the Furman Paladins (2-1) at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 155 points with Duke set as a 22-point favorite. Action begins at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, November 20, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN 3.
Furman Paladins vs. Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview
The Paladins were beaten by the Butler Bulldogs in their last matchup, 82-65. Furmans Daniel Fowler put together a good performance, leading the team in scoring with 19 points on 6-for-12 shooting. Butler had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.667 vs. 0.491). Furman, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (34.3 vs. 25.0).
In the Blue Devils last game, they beat the Southern University Jaguars, 78-61. Duke received a boost from Wendell Carter Jr. who was the games leading scorer with 20 points on 7-for-9 shooting. Duke dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a phenomenal free throw rate of 0.429 (above their season average of 0.148) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 47.5 (above their season average of 44.4). For those same stats, Southern University was 0.149 and 28.9, respectively.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the prolific offense of Duke takes on the elite defense of Furman. Dating back to the 2016-17 season, the Blue Devils rank ninth in offensive efficiency, while the Paladins are 51st in defensive efficiency.
Since last season, the Paladins are 23-12 straight up (SU) and 18-10 against the spread (ATS). Games including Furman have had a tendency to finish over the projected point total since last season (60.7 percent).
The Blue Devils, on the other hand, have records of 31-8 SU and 18-19-1 ATS since last season. A little over half of Dukes games have finished over the O/U total over that same stretch.
Furman Paladins vs. Duke Blue Devils Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Duke, ATS Winner – Furman, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Paladins rank 31st in rebounds allowed per game (32.1) while the Blue Devils rank 83rd (33.7).
- Furman ranks 86th in assists per game (14.8) while Duke ranks 97th in assists allowed per game (12.3).
- Duke ranks 33rd in blocks per game (4.8) while Furman ranks 257th (2.3).
- The Blue Devils rank 24th in three pointers allowed per game (18.0) while the Paladins rank 220th (22.4).
- Duke ranks eighth in steals allowed per game (4.6) while Furman ranks 109th (5.9).
