ACC NCAA Basketball: Blue Devils @ Cavaliers Preview

Updated On Feb 8, 2019 by Ryan Knuppel

Virginia Cavaliers vs. Duke Blue DevilsTwo ACC heavyweights face off in a top 5 rematch as Duke travels to take on Virginia. Duke leads the all time series 102-37, and have won 4 of the last 5 including a 72-70 win at Duke in January.

Duke is coming off an 80-55 win over Boston College on Tuesday. Last Monday (1/28) they beat Notre Dame 83-61 on the road, and on Saturday (2/2) they beat St. Johns 91-61 at home.

Virginia is coming off a 56-46 win at home over Miami on Saturday. Last Saturday (1/26) they beat Notre Dame 82-55 on the road, and last Tuesday (1/29) they beat #23 N.C. State 66-65 on the road.

On the season, Duke is 14-8 ATS, 5-2 ATS on the road, and 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games. On the season, Virginia is 16-5 ATS, 9-4 ATS at home, and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games.

#3 Virginia Cavaliers

(20-1 overall, 13-0 at home, 8-1 in conference)

Virginia averages 72.9 PPG, 36.3 RPG, 14.5 APG, 5.6 SPG, 3.5 BPG, and 9.0 TPG. As a team they shoot 47.7% from the field, 76.1% from the free throw line, and 39.4% from 3 point range. Defensively they hold teams to 52.9 PPG, 29.4 RPG, 37.0% shooting from the field, and 24.7% shooting from 3 point range.

DeAndre Hunter leads the way with 14.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG and 2.2 APG while shooting 52.9% from the field, 77.5% from the free throw line, and 43.2% from 3 point range. Kyle Guy contributes 14.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.1 APG and 0.7 SPG while shooting 45.3/85.4/43.8. Ty Jerome chips in 13.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.6 SPG and 40.6% shooting from 3. Braxton Key (7.1 PPG/5.9 RPG/1.1 SPG), Mamadi Diakite (7.0 PPG/3.9 RPG/1.3 BPG), Jay Huff (5.1 PPG/2.3 RPG/0.9 BPG), Jack Salt (4.7 PPG/4.9 RPG/58.2% from the field) and Kihei Clark (4.7 PPG/2.2 APG/0.7 SPG) play big minutes as well.

Key Injuries

G Ty Jerome (back) – questionable

#2 Duke Blue Devils

(20-2 overall, 6-1 on the road, 8-1 in conference)

Duke averages 87 PPG, 43 RPG, 16.9 APG, 10.4 SPG, 7.5 BPG, and 12.6 TPG. As a team they shoot 48.6% from the field, 67.6% from the free throw line, and 30.8% from 3 point range. Defensively they hold opponents to 65.2 PPG, 35.5 RPG, 38.2% shooting from the field, and 29.9% shooting from 3.

They are led by a young core, headed by R.J. Barrett who averages 23.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.0 SPG and 0.5 BPG while shooting 45.0% from the field, 68.2% from the free throw line, and 31.4% from 3 point range. Phenom Zion Williamson averages 22.0 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 2.3 APG, 2.2 SPG and 2.0 BPG while shooting 68.2/65.7/28.6. Fellow freshman Cam Reddish averages 13.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.1 APG, 2.0 SPG and 34% shooting from 3. Tre Jones (8.4 PPG/5.5 APG/2.0 SPG), Marques Bolden (5.7 PPG/4.8 RPG/2.1 BPG), Jack White (5.0 PPG/5.9 RPG/1.3 BPG) and Alex O’Connell (4.5 PPG/1.6 RPG/36.7% from 3) round out the rotation.

Predictions: In what should be a great game, we are taking Virginia to get revenge.

Ryan Knuppel Author

Ryan (aka Knup) has been writing sports betting content for over a decade now. He covers anything and everything related to United Stats sports including football, basketball, baseball, golf and more. He has finished first place in several gambling related contests over the years which gives him instant credibility in the betting world. Ryan is a die-hard St. Louis...

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