Duke (20-2) at Virginia (20-1)
When: Saturday, February 9th, 2019
Where: John Paul Jones Arena,
Charlottesville, Virginia
Time: 6:00 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Virginia -1.5/133.5
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If the second meeting between the Duke Blue Devils and Virginia Cavaliers is as half as good as the first one, then we’re in for another treat in a key ACC clash Saturday night. The Cavaliers have been cruising through their schedule all season, with the lone hiccup coming three weeks ago in Durham when they fell 72-70 to the Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The scene switches to Charlottesville for the rematch, but the Cavs may be without a key contributor for this one. Third-leading scorer Ty Jerome missed the Miami game with a back injury and is questionable for Saturday’s tilt. Virginia still managed to beat the Hurricanes 56-46 thanks to their stifling defense. Duke’s super freshmen RJ Barrett and Zion Williamson combined for 57 points in the first meeting with Virginia as Duke prevailed in that contest without its best defender, Tre Jones, who has since returned to the court. The Blue Devils are riding a six-game winning streak that includes an 80-55 blowout of Boston College on Tuesday. Duke leads the all-time series 120-51 and has won four of the last five.
Barrett (23 points per game) and Williamson (22) clearly carry the scoring load for Duke as the top two scorers in the ACC as well as the highest scoring teammates in the country, but fellow freshman Cam Reddish came up big most recently. Reddish scored 24 points on 8-of-16 shooting to help lead the Blue Devils over Boston College Tuesday. Barrett contributed 19, while Williamson scored 16 and grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds. Duke trailed the Eagles 30-28 at the break but outscored Boston College 52-25 in the second half.
Leading scorer De’Andre Hunter (14.7 points) scored 14 on 6-of-13 shooting to lead the Cavaliers over Miami, but the offense really struggled without Jerome on the floor. Virginia turned the ball over 14 times and shot just 42.3 percent from the floor, but Mamadi Diakite contributed 11 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Virginia’s defense held the Hurricanes to 34 percent from the field and are ranked third in the country overall, holding opponents to 37 percent shooting.
I took Virginia in the first matchup and managed a push, and I’m taking them again this time at home. No way Duke is going to score over 70 points again versus this defense. The Cavaliers’ offensive efficiency is very good despite the poor outing against Miami. With or without Jerome, Virginia wins this rematch.
Pick: Virginia -2
- Blue Devils are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
- Blue Devils are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Blue Devils are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Blue Devils are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- Blue Devils are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win.
- Blue Devils are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games.
- Blue Devils are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 Saturday games.
- Blue Devils are 15-7-1 ATS in their last 23 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Blue Devils are 15-7-1 ATS in their last 23 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Cavaliers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
- Cavaliers are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games following a ATS loss.
- Cavaliers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.
- Cavaliers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Cavaliers are 22-7-1 ATS in their last 30 games after allowing less than 50 points in their previous game.
- Cavaliers are 36-14-1 ATS in their last 51 games overall.
- Cavaliers are 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 vs. Atlantic Coast.
- Cavaliers are 35-16-1 ATS in their last 52 games following a straight up win.
- Cavaliers are 36-17-1 ATS in their last 54 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
- Cavaliers are 54-26-3 ATS in their last 83 Saturday games.
- Under is 3-0-1 in Blue Devils last 4 road games.
- Under is 3-0-1 in Blue Devils last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Under is 4-0 in Blue Devils last 4 vs. Atlantic Coast.
- Under is 3-0-1 in Blue Devils last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Under is 12-2-2 in Blue Devils last 16 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
- Under is 19-6-2 in Blue Devils last 27 games following a ATS win.
- Under is 23-8-2 in Blue Devils last 33 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 23-9-2 in Blue Devils last 34 overall.
- Under is 18-8-1 in Blue Devils last 27 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
- Under is 7-2 in Cavaliers last 9 home games.
- Under is 19-6-1 in Cavaliers last 26 Saturday games.
- Under is 8-3 in Cavaliers last 11 games following a ATS loss.
- Blue Devils are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Virginia.
- Underdog is 20-8-1 ATS in the last 29 meetings.
- Blue Devils are 2-7 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
- Road team is 20-5-1 ATS in the last 26 meetings.
