Texas vs Duke Picks & Predictions


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duke-texas-march-madness-predictions-032109The Duke Blue Devils are clicking on all cylinders. Gerald Henderson does everything on the court as well as anybody. Jon Scheyer has been draining three’s consistently and Kyle Singler is playing the best ball of his career period. Coach K has proved yet again this year why he is a legend. Senior guard Greg Paulus pulled from the starting lineup as well as Nolan Smith. Inserted in, Elliot Williams and Lance Thomas. Rejuvenation full throttle is what came from these changes. The Blue Devils play relentless defense and smart offense by sharing the ball and making high basketball IQ decisions. I predicted Duke to win the ACC tourney as you all know, I would usually wait a little longer into the article to share my pick, but I just can not help myself. Duke will win by 13+. They present match up problems all over the place. Nobody in the land let alone the Longhorns can guard Gerald Henderson. Singler will pull Texas’ big man Dexter Pittman or Gary Johnson away from the hoop and cause them nightmares as Jon Scheyer will have no problems at all neutralizing A.J. Abrams. Duke scores six more points a game on average while both teams have identical points against averages on the year. Duke shoots 73% from the line while their opponent shoots a dismal 67%. The Dukies roll from start to finish.  Duke is a 7.5 point favorite over Texas.

The Texas Longhorns took care of Minnesota in the first round. Eh, that doesn’t impress me. While I have not and will not jump aboard the Texas bandwagon, I do see where they can have success. Dexter Pittman is a 6’10 298 lb monster inside. He was hurt in the beginning of the year but has picked up steam and got healthy at the right time. Their senior leader is shooting guard A.J. Abrams. He is as good as a three point shooter as anyone in the nation, Abrams averages 16 points per game. Damion James will most certainly be the key for Texas. James puts in 15 points and 9 rebounds a game. He is destined for the NBA, but before he takes that step, tonight’s step will be to guard Gerald Henderson. Do not count on that working out to well for him. Texas counts on their defense to cause issues for their opponents, the problem is, Duke’s defense is equal or better. This is just a terrible match up for The Longhorns as their big men are just not capable of guarding Duke’s multi-dimensional forwards. Texas is listed as 7 points underdogs, If i were the odds maker, It’d be more like 12.

Haimo’s Hot Notes: Jon Scheyer, Gerald Henderson and Kyle Singler has this team on a mission. I have never seen a Duke team being overlooked and dis-respected. I have now, the problem for their opponent(s) is, so do they. Coach K has made the perfect adjustments and he will continue to show his genious in this game. All Duke’s players can shoot well. One of Texas’ can. If Texas wins this game It would be a flat out shocker to me. If Pittman and Johnson can establish down low presence and The Longhorns point guard Dogus Balbay can control the tempo, maybe they’ll have an outside chance. Just don’t put the house on it. Duke is solid and they continue their run to the final four tonight. Take Duke and enjoy your victory.

Duke is 16-16-1 ATS this year

Texas is 12-18-1 ATS this year

Betting Line: Take Duke -7.5

Jordan’s Pick: Duke -7.5

 

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