Duke Blue Devils (11-3) vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (10-5)
Duke Blue Devils vs. Pittsburgh Panthers 1/9/24 – On Tuesday at Petersen Events Center, the Duke Blue Devils boasting an 11-3 record will face off against Pittsburgh Panthers whose record stands at 10-5 in an eagerly anticipated NCAA Men’s Basketball matchup that’s sure to deliver excitement for both fans and bettors alike. One of the top free NCAAB predictions, this matchup has attracted significant notice due to both its talent on display as well as potential implications in terms of standings.
The Duke Blue Devils have been impressive this season, showing a balanced and effective approach to basketball. Their offensive prowess can be seen through an average of 82.4 points per game with a 48.7% field goal percentage; their strength lies not only in scoring ability; their defense excels with 36.1 rebounds per game and an impressive 4.1 block total; also their 3-point shooting accuracy of 36.6% adds another dimension to their attack making them a multifaceted threat.
Pittsburgh Panthers boasting a respectable 10-5 record are no easy opponents either, averaging 79.1 points per game to narrowly fall below Duke. Rebounding was strong at 41.1 per game which could prove decisive in this matchup; however, their field goal percentage of 43.8% and 3-point percentage of 33.8% could prove detrimental during such an intense contest.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Pittsburgh Panthers 1/9/24 Game Info
| When: | Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Petersen Events Center |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Kyle Filipowski (Center) vs. Blake Hinson (Forward)
Kyle Filipowski has taken over games during his freshman campaign. The versatile big man is averaging 16.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. He shoots over 50% from the field despite having range out to the 3-point arc. Filipowski’s size and skills make him a tough cover for any team.
Blake Hinson has been the engine behind Pittsburgh’s offense so far. The senior transfer is putting up 19.1 points while shooting 43.8% from the field and 40.8% from 3-point land. Hinson will look to pull Filipowski away from the basket and open up driving lanes. His ability to connect from deep will be key in this matchup.
Filipowski possesses a significant size advantage over Hinson at 7-feet tall. However, Hinson is savvy and could utilize his quickness against the freshman. Ultimately, Filipowski’s interior presence on both ends should help Duke control the paint.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds and point spreads for this game are still to be determined. However, given the teams’ performances and trends, it might lean slightly in favor of the Duke Blue Devils. Bettors should watch for the opening lines and consider both teams’ recent forms and head-to-head statistics.
Duke Blue Devils Betting Trends
Duke is 5-0 straight up and 4-1 against the spread over their last 5 contests. The Blue Devils have seen the OVER hit in 3 of their previous 5 matchups as well. However, Coach K’s squad is 0-3 ATS on the road this season. Backing Duke ATS away from Cameron Indoor has been a risky proposition.
Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Trends
The Panthers are 3-2 SU but just 2-2 ATS over their previous 5 games. Pittsburgh has gone OVER the total in 2 of their last 5 matchups. At home, Pitt has watched the OVER come in 6 times in their last 12 games. The Panthers are 2-1 ATS in home games over their past 5 at the Petersen Events Center.
Duke Blue Devils vs. Pittsburgh Panthers 1/9/24 Betting Picks
Given the analysis and betting trends, this game leans towards being a closely contested affair with high-scoring potential. Duke’s offensive efficiency and defensive solidity give them a slight edge, but Pittsburgh’s home advantage and rebounding prowess can’t be ignored.
For bettors, Duke might be the safer pick, especially considering their recent form and ATS record. However, the over/under is also a tempting bet, given both teams’ tendencies to be involved in high-scoring games. In terms of handicapper best picks, focusing on player prop bets, especially around key players like Filipowski and Hinson, could also offer value.
Free Pick and Prediction: Duke Blue Devils 78, Pittsburgh Panthers 72