It will be a battle between ACC opponents when the No. 8 Duke Blue Devils (15-3, 5-2 ACC) welcome the Miami Hurricanes (10-7, 2-5 ACC) to Cameron Indoor Stadium. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, and will air on ESPN.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 149.5 points with Duke opening as a 17-point favorite at Pointsbet Sportsbook.
Miami Hurricanes at Duke Blue Devils Free Prediction
In the Hurricanes’ last matchup, they were defeated by the No. 9 Florida State Seminoles, 83-79, but they did cover as 6-point underdogs. The total points for the game (162) came in well over the projected point total of 142.5. Florida State’s 17.2 turnover percentage was their largest strength over Miami, who had a mark of 25.7. The Seminoles’ mark was worse than their season average of 16.6, while the Hurricanes’ was above their season average of 14.6. Chris Lykes was the game’s leading scorer with 24 points on 9-for-18 shooting.
The Blue Devils fell to the No. 11 Louisville Cardinals in their last contest, 79-73, despite being 8.5-point favorites. The total points for the game (152) were over the O/U total of 138.5. Louisville made seven of their 14 three pointers (50.0 percent), while Duke was 6-25 (24.0 percent). With 24 points on 7-for-17 shooting, Cassius Stanley was the top scorer from either team.
This will be the second game of the season between these two squads. Vernon Carey Jr. scored a game-high 24 points in the first game, in which the Blue Devils beat the Hurricanes 95-62, covering as 10-point favorites. He also recorded nine rebounds. The game finished with a total of 157 points, which was 9 points above the projected point total of 148 points. The Blue Devils had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (46.4 vs. 24.3) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.642 vs. 0.414).
Miami heads into the game with records of 10-7 straight up (SU) and 9-8 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total low when the Hurricanes are involved, as 58.8 percent of their contests have ended over the total.
Meanwhile, Duke is 15-3 SU and 10-8 ATS. Much like Miami, Blue Devils games also have typically finished over the projected point total (66.7 percent).
Duke could have their way on the offensive side of the ball as their productive offense faces off against one of the worst defenses in the country. The Blue Devils currently rank seventh in offensive efficiency, while Miami ranks 314th in defensive efficiency. Additionally, the Hurricanes, who rank 291st in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.191), will clash against the Blue Devils, who rank 56th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.177).
Miami vs. Duke Pick
Basketball Tip: ATS Winner – Duke, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
On the road, Miami is 4-5 ATS with 6 overs and 3 unders.
At home, Duke is 5-6 ATS with 8 overs and 3 unders.
Duke averages 39.9 rebounds per game, which ranks 30th in the nation. Miami ranks 248th in rebounds allowed per game (38.5).
The Blue Devils rank 17th in assists per game (16.3) while the Hurricanes rank 226th (10.8).
Duke ranks sixth in blocks per game (6.4) while Miami ranks 147th in blocks allowed per game (4.4).
The Blue Devils rank 11th in steals per game (9.6) while the Hurricanes rank 151st (5.9).
Duke ranks seventh in three pointers allowed per game (15.8) while Miami ranks 124th (21.4).
Bettings Trends:
Over its last five games, Miami is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Duke is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over its last five games.
The Hurricanes’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 12.4, up from 0.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Blue Devils have scored an average of 80.6 points per game (2.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.6 points per game (4.4 above their season average).
