Maryland Terrapins at #8 Duke Blue Devils
Cameron Indoor Stadium – Durham, North Carolina
Saturday, February 15, 2014, 6:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Duke -14 1/2
Current Line: Duke -13 1/2
Opening Total: 152
Current Total: 149
Opening Money Line: Duke -1200 / Maryland +760
Current Money Line: Duke -1050 / Maryland +740
The Duke Blue Devils were supposed to play at arch-rival North Carolina Wednesday night but the game was postponed because of bad weather in the mid-Atlantic region. The game was rescheduled for next Thursday. The 19-5 Blue Devils haven’t played since last Saturday when they dismantled Boston College 89-68. The week off is nice, but now it sets up a brutal stretch for Duke where they must play 5 games in the span of 11 days.
The first of those games takes place Saturday as Duke host the 14-11 Maryland Terrapins. The Blue Devils are 8-3 in the ACC and in third place behind 11-0 Syracuse and 11-1 Virginia. The Terrapins are 6-6 in conference and alone in 8th place.
Duke leads the series against Maryland 113-63, but the Terrapins have won two straight against the Blue Devils. The Terrapins took 2 of 3 last season from Duke including 83-74 in the ACC Tournament semifinals. This is the only scheduled meeting this season, and it is the first time Maryland will not host Duke in the season since the ACC was formed in 1953. This is the last scheduled meeting between the rivals at Maryland will join the Big Ten next season.
Maryland is coached by Mark Turgeon. The Terrapins have losses to Connecticut in Brooklyn, Oregon State, at Ohio State, George Washington in DC, Boston University, Pittsburgh twice, at Florida State, at NC State, at North Carolina and Monday at Virginia 61-53. Maryland has key wins over Marist, Northern Iowa, and Providence in a tournament in the Virgin Islands, at Boston College, Florida Atlantic, Tulsa, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Miami, at Virginia Tech, and against Florida State. Maryland is 11-10 ATS and the total is 11-9-1 this season.
Maryland is outscoring teams 73-69 this season. The Terrapins are shooting 44.1% from the field and 35.7% from 3 point range. Maryland makes 66.4% of their free throws. Terrapin opponents are shooting 42.4% from the field and 36.8% from 3 point range. Maryland averages 37.9 rebounds per game and opponents average 29.8 per game. The Terps average 12.2 assists, 13 turnovers, 6.3 assists, and 4.4 blocks per game. Opponents average 11.7 assists, 13 turnovers, 6.5 steals and 3.6 blocks per game.
Guard/forward Dez Wells averages 15.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1 steal per game. Guard Seth Allen averages 12.3 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Guard/forward Jake Layman averages 12.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block per game. He is probable with an eye injury. Forward Evan Smotrycz averages 11.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Guard Nick Faust averages 9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Forward Charles Mitchell averages 6.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Roddy Peters, Shaquille Cleare, and Jonathan Graham will also get significant minutes in the rotation. Cleare is probable with a shoulder injury.
Duke is coached by Mike Krzyzewski. Duke has losses to Kansas in Chicago, Arizona in Madison Square Garden, at Notre Dame, at Clemson and at Syracuse. The Blue Devils have won 7 of their last 8 games. Duke has key wins over Davidson, Florida Atlantic, East Carolina, Vermont, Alabama at MSG, Michigan, UCLA in New York, Georgia Tech, Virginia, NC State, at Miami, Florida State, at Pittsburgh, Wake Forest and at Boston College. The Blue Devils are 16-8 ATS and the total is 12-11 this season.
Duke is outscoring teams 82-67 this season. The Blue Devils are #15 in scoring nationally. Duke is shooting 47.5% from the field and 42% from 3 point range. The Blue Devils are #2 nationally in 3 point shooting and #36 in field goal percentage. Duke is #44 in free throw shooting at 73.9% from the line. Blue Devil opponents are shooting 45.1% from the field and 31.2% from 3 point range. Duke is #48 nationally in three point defense. The Blue Devils average 35.1 rebounds per game and opponents average 30.2 rebounds per game. Duke averages 15.6 assists, 9.5 turnovers, 7 steals and 3 blocks per game. Opponents average 11.1 assists, 12.8 turnovers, 5 steals and 3.4 blocks per game.
Freshman forward Jabari Parker averages 18.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. He is projected to be a high lottery pick in the NBA draft. Forward Rodney Hood averages 16.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. Guard Quinn Cook averages 12 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Guard Andre Dawkins averages 10 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. Guard Rasheed Sulaimon averages 9.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Forward Amile Jefferson averages 6.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Tyler Thornton, Matt Jones, and Josh Hairston will also get time in the rotation.
Maryland is 8-2 ATS in Saturday games and 1-6 against teams with winning home records.
Duke is 7-0 ATS overall and in ACC games, 6-0 against teams with winning records, 4-0 in Saturday games, 5-1 at home and against teams with losing road records. Duke is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 against Maryland, and was favored in each of those contests.
Duke looks to extend their 29 game home winning streak. The Blue Devils are clearly the better team and should be fresh after a week off. I like duke to win big at home.
