Duke at Clemson: College Basketball Odds, Picks, & Predictions
Written February 4, 2009 by Jay Horne
The No. 4 Duke Blue Devils fell from the nation’s number 1 ranking last week after losing to Wake Forest in the closing seconds of the game. However, the Blue Devils still sit a top the standings in terms of the ACC as they lead the league with a 5-1 in conference record and they will have another tough challenge this Wednesday night. The No. 10 ranked Clemson Tigers got off to a fast 16-0 start before losing back to back outings to Wake Forest and North Carolina. However, the Tigers have knocked off two straight wins and they will look for a big win on Wednesday in attempt to climb on top of the ACC standings. Wednesday’s odds have been set and Duke is favored by 4 against Clemson.
The Blue Devils are one of the best-rounded teams on both ends of the court in the country. Duke is averaging 81 points on the offensive side of the court while holding opponents to a mere 59 points per game on the defensive side of the court which both ranks in the top 20 in America. The Blue Devils will face a talented scoring team from the Clemson Tigers who have many different threats all over the court. The Blue Devils defense will need to continue their stellar play as they did against teams like Virginia Tech and Maryland when they held them to an extremely low 44 point total for the contest.
The Blue Devils will have the edge against the glass as they are averaging a strong 40 rebounds per game while only allowing 31 boards per contest. Add to the fact that the Tigers give up nearly 35 boards per contest that ranks towards the bottom half of the nation and it becomes apparent the Blue Devils should have the advantage against the boards. Kyle Singler leads the team in scoring with 16.2 points per game, but it has been junior Gerald Henderson that has been leading the team in recent weeks. Over the last 7 games, Henderson is averaging nearly 21 points per game and has really been the boost the Blue Devils have needed to get them through the tough conference play. Henderson and company will need to step up big again this Wednesday night.
The Clemson Tigers come into the battle fresh off an 86-82 victory over Virginia Tech. The Tigers will get the host the highly ranked Blue Devils at home where they have only loss one game all season inside Little John Coliseum. Clemson got their first victory over Duke in quite some time last season during the ACC Tournament when they knocked off a top ten ranked Blue Devils team 78-74. Prior to that occasion the Blue Devils had won 21 straight games dating back to January 1997 against the Tigers. However, Clemson will try to change that trend as they will bring a very talented lineup to the court to host the Blue Devils this Wednesday night. If you like Clemson, Sportsbook.com gives you an extra half point at Clemson +4.5.
Clemson junior forward Trevor Booker has been the most consistent performer for the Tigers. Booker has posted near double-double figures with 14.6 points and 9.1 boards per contest. K.C Rivers and Terrence Oglesby are the two strong shooting guards that will try to give the Tigers a boost. Oglesby sports a 14 point average, but was held to a season low 5 points in the last outing against Virginia Tech. However, K.C Rivers lead the Clemson offense with a 29 point performance in that game picking up the slack. Rivers and Oglesby will need to shoot well from the perimeter in this match-up considering how well the Blue Devils shoot as a team.
Pick – Blue Devils don’t lose ACC games this close together. Take Duke -4.
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go clemson
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