Michigan vs Duke CBB Picks
The Wolverines have not gotten off the to the best of starts. It might be a little bit of a hangover from last year’s run to the Finals but there have certainly been injuries that have affected them adversely too with big man Mitch McGary both missing time and not looking all that great out there overall. [ad-4468020]
Michigan Wolverines (5-2) vs Duke Blue Devils (6-2)
Tuesday December 3
Cameron Indoor Stadium – Durham. NC
9:15PM
Moneyline: No ML currently listed
Spread: Duke -7
O/U: No total currently listed
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Michigan
This is still a team loaded with talent even though they lost their top scorers from a year ago to the NBA. It won’t be easy but they are capable of beating the Blue Devils on their own turf.
Big Blue may be even more challenged to do so because leading scorer SG Nik Stauskas is questionable with a sprained ankle. His game has exploded this season and without him they are going to need McGary and SF Glenn Robinson III to take charge.
Even with the top players Duke has Robinson is capable of being the best player on the court.
If he is that guy on Tuesday night the Wolverines will be right there with them.
Even though Stauskas is a question mark right now I like the Wolverines to be able to challenge the Blue Devils. McGary is a great matchup inside and they can match the athleticism of Duke all over the court.
It will be a really hostile environment so how they handle that will determine if this game is close or not.
Duke
Like Michigan, Duke is probably pretty disappointed to already have two losses coming into this one. Losing to Arizona and Kansas is nothing to be embarrassed about but this is Duke we are talking about.
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Coming off that loss to the Wildcats it will be nice for the Blue Devils to face a top team on their own turf – both losses were at neutral sites.
They need to prove to themselves and the nation they can beat a top team and I am curious to see how they respond.
So far the combination of touted frosh Jabari Parker and top transfer Rodney Hood has been as advertised. They are both averaging 20 points or more and are the top rebounders on the club.
The best thing about having a duo like that is that is takes some of the pressure off Parker (even though it looks like he can handle it).
The rest of the Duke roster is filling in nicely but their lack of a post presence could hurt them against some teams.
It is hard to bet against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. However in this one I think Michigan is the play even if Stauskas can’t go because often the oddsmakers overrate the loss of a player due to injury, even a good one.
Duke should get that win they are looking for but this one will come down to the final possession.
Spread Pick: Michigan +7
O/U Pick: N/A
Score Prediction: Duke 77 – Michigan 75
