It will be a battle between ACC opponents when the Boston College Eagles (11-11, 5-6 ACC) welcome the No. 7 Duke Blue Devils (18-3, 8-2 ACC) to Silvio O. Conte Forum. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, and will air on ESPN.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Boston College Eagles ATS Prediction
In the Blue Devils’ last contest, they beat the Syracuse Orange, 97-88. The Blue Devils had a fantastic effective field goal percentage of 0.630 (above their season average of 0.544) and had a free throw rate of 0.537 (above their season average of 0.223). With 26 points on 9-for-14 shooting, Vernon Carey Jr. was the game’s high scorer.
The Eagles won a close one over the North Carolina Tar Heels in their last matchup, 71-70. Boston College had an effective field goal percentage of 0.527 (above their season average of 0.461). North Carolina, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (36.4 vs. 21.2). Jared Hamilton led Boston College in scoring with 18 points on 6-for-12 shooting from the field.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Matthew Hurt scored a game-high 25 points and the Blue Devils beat the Eagles 88-49. The Blue Devils had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.603 vs. 0.363) and had a better free throw rate (0.088 vs. 0.065).
The inefficient offense of Boston College (334th in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 92.8) will face off against the top-notch defense of Duke (19th in the NCAA with a defensive efficiency of 90.1). The Blue Devils should have the edge on that end of the court. Moreover, the Blue Devils could control the offensive glass in this meeting as they rank ninth in the nation in offensive rebounding percentage at 36.9 percent. The Eagles, meanwhile, rank 310th in defensive rebounding percentage (68.5 percent).
Duke at Boston College Odds Pick
Basketball Prediction: ATS Winner – Duke, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Duke averages 39.8 rebounds per game, which ranks 27th in the country. Boston College ranks 257th in rebounds allowed per game (39.0).
The Blue Devils rank 13th in assists per game (16.7) while the Eagles rank 187th (12.3).
Boston College averages 8.6 steals per game, which ranks 24th in the country. Duke ranks 179th in steals allowed per game (7.3).
The Blue Devils rank sixth in blocks per game (6.3) while the Eagles rank 145th (2.8).
Duke ranks 10th in three pointers allowed per game (16.2) while Boston College ranks 118th (21.1).
The Blue Devils’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.6, down from 18.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Eagles have scored an average of 67.0 points per game (2.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 73.2 points per game (4.8 above their season average).
