No. 4 Duke Blue Devils at No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes
Tuesday, 11/29/11, 9:30 PM EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Ohio State -6.5
Current Betting Line: Ohio State -6.5
Opening Total: 144
Current Total: 144
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Duke comes in with a perfect 7-0 record and will be looking to improve upon the school’s 11-1 all-time mark in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, which includes a 3-1 record when playing on the road. The Blue Devils will be playing their third consecutive ranked opponent, coming off wins over the Michigan Wolverines and Kansas Jayhawks. It’s important to note that the program is 49-15 against Big Ten Conference competition under the direction of head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Duke is 2-5 ATS in its last seven contests versus opponents from that particular conference.
The Blue Devils will be putting their 35-game November winning streak on the line and are 30-2 in their last 32 non-conference games overall. Duke has five players averaging over 10.0 points per game this season, making them one of eight teams nationally. Junior guard Seth Curry is leading the team in averaging 15.1 points per game, shooting 57.1 percent from three-point range. He has managed to score in double figures in six of seven games. Duke is shooting an ACC-best 45.9 percent from three-point range.
Ohio State moved up to the No. 2 spot in the AP poll with North Carolina falling out of the top spot, sitting just behind the Kentucky Wildcats. The Buckeyes are 34-8 all-time as the second-ranked team, as they get ready to participate in this event for the 10th consecutive year. The program has produced a 4-5 record against the ACC in this particular situation. This will be just the sixth meeting between the two teams, with the Buckeyes looking to even things up, with the last meeting resulting in a 91-76 loss as 15-point road underdogs on Dec. 3, 2002. Ohio State is 4-1 ATS versus ACC opponents.
The Buckeyes have won 28-straight games inside the Value City Arena, including an 80-47 win over Valpairaiso as 22.5-point home favorites on Nov. 25. Ohio State is led by the play of sophomore Jared Sullinger, who has recorded at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in each of his last four games for a career total of 22. Through six games, he’s averaging 18.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Head coach Thad Matta has put together an advantageous schedule at the start, playing eight home games to start the season.
Bettors will likely back the Blue Devils due to their 10-4 ATS mark on Tuesdays, while the Buckeyes are just 5-2 ATS in home games.
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