Written by :
Published on :
UVA opens as a -2.5 overnight favorite hosting Duke Saturday evening in what will likely be one of the most anticipated games of the 2018-2019 College Basketball season.
CLAIM YOUR CASH SIGNUP BONUS UP TO $1000 ON ALL DEPOSITS HERE
The predictions are mixed at ESPN: "Jeff Borzello, college basketball Insider: I thought Virginia would win the first matchup, and I was obviously wrong about that one. But I'm going with the Cavaliers again. I just feel like they match up well in terms of what Duke wants to do, which is play in transition and then get downhill in the half court. Virginia limits its turnovers and keeps drivers out of the lane. Assuming Ty Jerome is healthy, I think Virginia gets the win."
Jordan Schultz, Insider/analyst at ESPN: "Give me the young Dukies once again! While both teams rank in the top five of KenPom's offensive and defensive efficiency, this pick is in part because Jerome's injury casts a serious spell on the Hoos' offense. It's not as if UVa suddenly can't make shots -- it went 6-for-17 (35 percent) from 3 without him in a home win over Miami -- but Virginia still fell victim to a less efficient offense. In fact, its 56 points scored was the second-lowest total of the season. Even if Jerome plays, I like the Blue Devils for the same reasons I liked them the first time: Their rare combination of blue-chip talent and speed will prove to be the difference in Charlottesville. Expect Zion Williamson -- the likely Wooden Award winner -- to firmly put his stamp on this game with a 25-point double-double."
But our friends at Bookmaker agree it's going to be a tight one, with UVA ultimately winning.
The Cavs didn’t play their best in the first meeting and it proved costly. Some will say Duke didn’t play its best either, leaving a lot of points on the free throw line. I don’t expect Duke to have an overwhelming advantage from the stripe in this one and that’s likely going to be the difference. Williamson and Barrett will get their points, but the Cavs will make it tough. And having the homecourt edge for a matchup between the No. 2 and No. 3 ranked teams in the country will be the deciding factor.
CBB Score Prediction: Virginia 68, Duke 65
- Tyrone Black, Gambling911.com
