It will be a showdown between two phenomenal offenses when the second-ranked Duke Blue Devils (18-2) take on the St. John’s Red Storm (16-5) at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Action begins at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 2, 2019, and can be seen on ESPN.
St. John’s Red Storm at Duke Blue Devils Betting Odds
Both teams were triumphant in their last game. The Blue Devils easily got past the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 83-61, while the Red Storm defeated the Creighton Bluejays 83-67.
St. John’s made 13 of their 31 three pointers (41.9 percent). Creighton, meanwhile, was 9-34 (26.5 percent). The Blue Devils, on the other hand, had a phenomenal effective field goal percentage of 0.627 (above their season average of 0.538), while the Fighting Irish had a free throw rate of 0.106 (below their season average of 0.235). Zion Williamson led the way for Duke, finishing with 26 points and nine rebounds. Meanwhile, Shamorie Ponds was a key piece for St. John’s with 26 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
The Red Storm won the sole game between these two teams last season, 81-77. The Red Storm’s 13.1 turnover percentage was their largest strength over the Blue Devils, who had a rate of 22.0. This is the first time these teams will clash this year.
This battle figures to be a high-scoring affair as a pair of the NCAA’s best offenses go head-to-head. Duke currently ranks ninth with 117.2 points per 100 possessions and St. John’s is 53rd (112.2). Additionally, the Red Storm commit the 10th-fewest errors in the country (turnover percentage of 14.8 percent), while the gambling defense of the Blue Devils causes the 51st-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 22.0 percent).
St. John’s at Duke Free Pick
Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Duke, ATS Winner – St. John’s, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Duke ranks fourth in rebounds per game (42.8) while St. John’s ranks 215th in rebounds allowed per game (36.9).
- The Blue Devils rank first in blocks per game (7.5) while the Red Storm rank 124th (3.0).
- St. John’s averages 8.8 steals per game, which ranks 16th in the nation. Duke ranks 105th in steals allowed per game (6.3).
- The Blue Devils rank 96th in three pointers allowed per game (21.3) while the Red Storm rank 236th (25.6).
- Duke averages 17.1 assists per game, which ranks 18th in the country. St. John’s ranks 149th in assists allowed per game (13.4).
Bettings Trends:
- The Red Storm’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.6, down from 9.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Blue Devils have scored an average of 78.2 points per game (9.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.6 points per game (2.6 above their season average).
