Michigan State Spartans vs. Duke Blue Devils
Tuesday, 11/18/14, 7:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Duke -6.5
Current Betting Line: Duke -7.5
Opening Total: 144.5
Current Total: 144.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Michigan State didn’t impress many college basketball experts in picking up a 64-59 victory over the Navy Midshipmen as 17.5-point road favorites in its season opener, which is important to consider when making your college basketball predictions. The Spartans were actually outscored in the paint in that affair, but are capable of improving in this affair at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, as Preseason All-American Branden Dawson will become the only player to start all four Champions Classics. Michigan State is 4-10 SU and 8-6 ATS as an underdog since the start of the 2012-13 campaign.
The Spartans have dropped seven of their eight meetings against the Blue Devils during the Tom Izzo era, but only one has been decided by 10 or more points. Michigan State is hoping that Travis Trice is able to put together another career performance, as he provided 25 points in the opener.
Duke is expected to be a main contender to win the 2015 NCAA Tournament, especially since it has scored 109 or more points in each of its first two contests. The Blue Devils have won eight of their previous 10 games under Coach K when visiting the city of Indianapolis, which can’t be ignored when looking over the college basketball lines page. The Hall of Fame coach has nine McDonald All-Americans on his roster, with many of them being among the top-rated freshmen class in the country. Duke is 14-6 SU and 11-9 ATS on a neutral floor the last two-plus seasons.
The Blue Devils will go as far as freshman phenom Jahlil Okafor will take them, as he was recently named the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week due to scoring 18.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest. Duke’s depth will likely be the difference in this matchup, as it has the ability to play 10 different guys. Senior point guard Quinn Cook is the leader when on the floor—a big reason why the squad has registered 52 assists and shooting 62.6 percent.
Sports bettors will likely back the Blue Devils due to their 3-0 ATS mark as neutral court favorites of 6.5 to 9 points since 2012-13.
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