Ohio State at Duke: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com
Ohio State Buckeyes at Duke Blue Devils (-5, 144)
The premier matchup of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge takes place Wednesday when No. 4 Ohio State makes its first-ever visit to Cameron Indoor Stadium to play No. 2 Duke.
The Buckeyes have won all four of their games by double digits, most recently destroying UMKC 91-45 on Friday. The Blue Devils have played a much tougher schedule; their 6-0 start includes victories over then Top-3 teams Kentucky and Louisville. Duke will try to avenge last season’s 85-63 loss in Columbus, which dropped the Blue Devils to 11-2 in the Challenge. Ohio State is 5-5 in the event.
ABOUT NO. 4 OHIO STATE (4-0, 2-1 ATS): The Buckeyes lead the nation in 3-point shooting at 48 percent (32 of 67) and rank ninth in overall field-goal percentage (52.1). They’re also in the Top 10 in assist-to-turnover ratio (6th/+1.63) and fewest turnovers per game (5th/9.5). Junior F Deshaun Thomas averages 24 points and 7.3 rebounds, while junior PG Aaron Craft – last season’s Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year -- chips in 14.3 points and 5.3 assists. Junior G Lenzelle Smith, the third returning starter, averages 11.5 points and 5.3 rebounds. All three have upper their scoring averages following the departures of Jared Sullinger and William Buford.
ABOUT DUKE NO. 2 (6-0, 4-2 ATS): Having just survived a stacked field to win the Battle 4 Atlantis, Duke has won 23 straight regular-season games. All five starters are averaging in double figures, led by 6-10 senior Mason Plumlee (19.7 points, 10 rebounds). Senior G Seth Curry is nursing a right shin injury, but that didn’t stop him from averaging a team-high 18 points in the Bahamas. He was scheduled to get a few days off leading into this game. Tourney MVP Quinn Cook averaged 13.7 points and 6.3 assists over the three games. The Blue Devils have hit 12 more 3-pointers than Ohio State, but shoot a significantly lower percentage (37.3).
TRENDS:
* Buckeyes are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. Atlantic Coast.
* Blue Devils are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 home games.
* Over is 5-1 in Buckeyes' last six vs. Atlantic Coast.
* Over is 6-0 in Blue Devils' last six vs. Big Ten.
TIP-INS:
1. Ohio State is 7-15 all-time against No. 2-ranked teams. The Buckeyes are 147-231 all-time against ranked opponents.
2. Duke and Ohio State have split six all-time meetings.
3. Craft has 177 career steals, third on Ohio State’s all-time list behind David Lighty (191) and Jay Burson (204).
ACC-Big Ten Challenge
By David Schwab
VegasInsider.com
No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 2 Duke Blue Devils
Ohio State has reeled off four-straight double-digit victories in its first four games, but has yet to really play anyone after its season opener against Marquette was postponed. It covered the spread in its last two games with the total going ‘over’ in both, but could only post an 11-point victory over Rhode Island on Nov. 17 as a 22-point favorite. The Buckeyes have done a good job shooting the ball so far with 79.8 points a game while hitting 52.1 percent from the field, but they have struggled a bit under the boards against the weaker competition with just 35 rebounds a game. The player to watch in this matchup Deshaun Thomas. He leads the team in scoring with 24 points a game and in rebounds with 7.3 a game.
The Duke Blue Devils come into this season’s Challenge as the pride of the ACC. They have already beaten a then-No.3 Kentucky 75-68 as 4½-point favorites and then-No. 2 Louisville 76-71 as one-point underdogs this past weekend in the Bahamas. Throw in a routine 67-58 victory over VCU as 6½-point favorites and the Blue Devils are off to a very impressive 6-0 SU start while going 4-2 ATS. The total has gone ‘over’ in four of the last five games. Much of the team’s early success can be attributed to balanced offensive attack. Duke has five players scoring in double-figures led by Mason Plumlee’s 19.7 points a game. The team is averaging 78.2 points a game and shooting a respectable 47.4 percent from the floor. The only area of concern has been under the boards with an average of just 33 rebounds a game.
The remainder of Wednesday’s Challenge starts with a 7 p.m. tip-off between Virginia vs. Wisconsin followed by Purdue vs. Clemson at 7:15 p.m. No.13 Michigan State squares off against Miami (FL) at 7:30 and Georgia Tech takes on No.22 Illinois at 9 p.m. The final conference clash of the night pits Boston College against Penn State in a 9:15 p.m. start.
College Basketball: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Ohio St. at Duke
The Blue Devils knocking off Minnesota, VCU and Louisville in successive nights to win the Battle 4 Atlantis title game put a 6-0 (4-2 ATS) mark on the line when they host 4-0 (2-1 ATS) Ohio State Buckeyes Wednesday in Durham, North Carolina. The Blue Devils with five double digit scorers lead by Mason Plumlee (19.7) and Seth Curry (17.0) are averaging 78.2 points/game on 47.4% shooting, 37.3% from long range. Buckeyes having little problem putting the ball in the hoop lead by Deshaun Thomas (24.0) are averaging 79.8 points/game on 52.1% shooting including a nation best 47.8% from outside. Duke ridding a 51-3 (25-26-1 ATS) stretch at Cameron Indoor Stadium will be looking to exact revenge for a 85-63 loss in Columbus last year. Duke are tough to topple at home but can Blue Devils deliver the dough ? Wouldn't bet the mortgage money on it - Blue Devils are on a 1-8 ATS skid in front of the Cameron Crazies, 2-5 ATS vs Big-10 opponents while Buckeyes come in a smart 4-1 ATS streak vs the ACC
College Knowledge
-- Virginia coach Bennett played for his dad in college at Green Bay, so he's coming home, kind of; Cavaliers are 0-2 vs top 100 teams, losing to George Mason by 4, Delaware by 6. Wisconsin is 4-2, allowing 79 ppg in losses to Florida/Creighton, best two teams they've played. Single digit ACC underdogs are 4-5. Big Dozen home favorites are 14-6.
-- Temple beat Buffalo 87-85 in OT at home LY; Owls are 3-0 this year, winning by 14 at Kent State in only road game- they're shooting 61.5% inside arc. Buffalo is 1-5 vs D-I teams, but only one of five losses was by more than 9 points. Atlantic-16 road favorites are 9-6 against spread. MAC home underdogs are 2-3.
-- Young Clemson (11 frosh/sophs) won four of first five games, losing by 8 to Gonzaga in Orlando (won last two games there)- they've made 41% of 3-pointers this year. Purdue lost three of first five games, making 26% behind arc- they lost to Villanova/Oregon State on neutral court in NYC. ACC home favorites are 4-3. Big Dozen road dogs are 5-7.
-- Michigan State won five in row since losing opener to UConn over in Germany, but three of five wins were by 4 or less points- this is State's first true road game (beat Kansas in other neutral court game). Miami is 3-1, losing to Florida Gulf Coast; they also lost exhibition to St Leo's. ACC teams are 11-8 vs spread if line is 5 or less points.
-- Larry Brown has SMU at 6-1, but hasn't played anyone ranked higher than #169; Mustangs are scoring 31% of points from foul line (#3 in US) this year. Utah won last three games, allowing 50.3 ppg, but this is their first road game- they've played #343 schedule so far. C-USA home faves are 4-5 vs spread. Pac-12 single digit road underdogs are 7-5.
-- UTEP lost its last four games, scoring 52.3 ppg, going 0-3 in Orlando, but three of four teams are in top 75; Miners won four of last six games vs New Mexico State. Aggies lost last two visits here, by 4-17 points; they're 2-3 vs D-I teams, losing by 9 at Oregon State in only road game. WAC single digit road dogs are 3-8 against the spread. .
-- Georgia Tech was in Anaheim over weekend, now is at Illinois squad that won Maui Classic last week, then limped past Gardner Webb in last game. Tech won four of first five games, allowing 51.8 ppg, which makes up for 20.9% shooting outside arc. ACC road underdogs are 8-6 against spread. Big Dozen home favorites are 14-6 against the spread.
-- Duke won tourney in Bahamas, beating Dieng-less Louisville in final; Blue Devils are 6-0, with four of six wins vs top 20 teams, including all three foes in Atlantis. Ohio State is 4-0 but hasn't played anyone, with best win over shaky Washington (#83). ACC single digit home favorites are 5-3 vs spread. Buckeyes made 48% of 3's in first four games.
-- Cal-Irvine is improved but is still just 3-4, losing OT games at UCLA, Sam Houston State, as well as by 10 at Pepperdine; Anteaters make just 61.4% from line, 32.8% from arc. UNLV star freshman Bennett is ??? with bad back; Rebels are 3-1, all at home, winning by 38-19-12 points. Big West double digit road underdogs are 7-3 vs spread.
-- Elon is 4-2, losing by 15 at Butler, winning by 12 at South Carolina; they won three of last four games with Georgia Southern beating Eagles 65-58 in SoCon tourney last March. GSU is 1-3 vs D-I teams, but they were all road games- they scored 53.3 ppg in losses, all against top 100 teams-- they've played #56 schedule in country so far.
-- Furman swept Western Carolina LY, 80-66/58-55; Paladins are 0-3 vs D-I teams this year, scoring 49.3 ppg while shooting 20% from arc- they are turning ball over 29.8% of time. Western is 1-4 vs D-I teams, with all five games played away from home- their last two games were decided by a total of three points.
-- Iona hasn't played in nine days, since losing two of three at tourney in Virgin Islands; Gaels are picked to win MAAC, but played poor defense in first four games (53.9eFG%), losing to Quinnipiac/UIC. Iona won last four games with Niagara, by 14-12-6-24 points. Niagara is 2-3, giving up 80+ points in four of five games (56.5eFG%).
-- Siena lost four of first six games, losing by point to Vermont in its one home game; Saints are shooting just 61% from line, 41.2% inside the arc. MAAC single digit underdogs are 3-10 vs spread. UMass beat Siena by 4 (82-78) LY; Minutemen are 2-2 playing #21 schedule in country, with losses to NC State by 18, Tennessee by 14.
Armadillosports.com
College Basketball Point Spreads, Picks and Trends
By: The Linemakers
Sportingnews.com
The ACC/Big Ten Challenge continues tonight with six games, three of which feature teams in the top 25. No. 2 Duke is a 6-point favorite at home against No. 4 Ohio State; unranked Miami is laying 1.5 points at home vs. No. 13 Michigan State; and 22 Illinois is – 9 at home vs. Georgia Tech.
The lines below are from the LVH SuperBook as of about 9:45 a.m. PT.
No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 2 Duke – 9:30 p.m. ET
Line: Duke -6, Total: 143
Trends:
• Blue Devils are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games.
• Blue Devils are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
• Blue Devils are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 home games.
• Over is 5-1 in Buckeyes’ last 6 vs. ACC teams.
• Over is 13-3 in Buckeyes’ last 16 overall.
• Over is 6-0 in Blue Devils’ last 6 vs. Big Ten teams.
• Over is 4-1 in Blue Devils last 5 overall.
The Linemakers take: Duke has been super impressive with wins over Louisville, Kentucky, Minnesota and VCU. Ohio State leads the nation in 3-point shooting at 48 percent, but we don't think they are going to shoot it that well at Cameron Indoor Stadium. This is a revenge game for the veteran Duke squad, who were beaten, 85-63, last year in Columbus. Look for the Blue Devils to come out with fire in their eyes.
No. 13 Michigan State vs. Miami – 7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Miami -1.5, Total: 132.5
Trends:
• Spartans are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games.
• Spartans are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
• Hurricanes are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
• Hurricanes are 36-15-1 ATS in their last 52 non-conference games.
• Hurricanes are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games.
• Over is 6-1 in Hurricanes last 7 non-conference games.
The Linemakers take: These two teams have never met before. It could be a tough spot for a Michigan State team that has been a turnover machine so far this season. They have 67 turnovers in their last four games and now face a Miami team with very good guards in Durand Scott and Shane Larkin. The Spartans will also have to deal with big man Reggie Johnson in the middle. Michigan State does get freshman Gary Harris back after missing the last two games.
UC Irvine vs. No. 24 UNLV – 10:00 p.m. ET
Line: UNLV -14.5, Total: 145.5
Trends:
• Anteaters are 15-7 ATS in their last 22 road games.
• Anteaters are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Wednesday games.
• Runnin' Rebels are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games.
• Runnin' Rebels are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games overall
• Over is 7-3 in Anteaters’ last 10 overall.
• Under is 7-3 in Runnin' Rebels’ last 10 home games.
The Linemakers take: UCI is currently on a three-game losing streak and will face UNLV, an old rival from the Rebels’ glory years when the teams competed against each other in the PCAA and Big West. The Rebels bounced back with an 82-70 win over Iowa State Saturday after being upset on their home floor by Oregon a night earlier. UCI senior guard Daman Starring grew up in Las Vegas and will want to make a big splash at home. UCI doesn’t turn the ball over — they are No. 7 in the nation in in assist-to-turnover ratio. Freshman guard Alex Young has handed out 31 assists, to only three turnovers. The number on the Rebels tonight feels a bit inflated, giving some value to UCI.
Northern Arizona vs. No. 9 Arizona – 10:00 p.m. ET
Line: 25.5, Total: N/A
Trends:
• Lumberjacks are 4-0-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
• Lumberjacks are 4-0-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Arizona.
• Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Arizona.
• Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
• Underdog is 4-0-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
• Road team is 4-0-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Boise State vs. No. 11 Creighton – 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Creighton -13.5, Total: N/A
Trends:
• Broncos are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 road games.
• Broncos are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 road games vs. teams with a winning home record.
• Broncos are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games overall
• Bluejays are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
• Bluejays are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
• Under is 5-2 in Broncos’ last 7 overall.
• Under is 7-3 in Broncos’ last 10 road games.
• Over is 8-1-1 in Bluejays’ last 10 non-conference games.
• Over is 4-1 in Bluejays’ last 5 overall.
Georgia Tech vs. No. 22 Illinois – 9:00 p.m. ET
Line: Illinois -9, Total: 127.5
Trends:
• Yellow Jackets are 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 road games.
• Yellow Jackets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. Big Ten.
• Fighting Illini are 5-14 ATS in their last 19 games overall.
• Fighting Illini are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games following a ATS loss.
• Over is 6-0 in Yellow Jackets’ last 6 vs. Big Ten teams.
• Under is 5-1 in Yellow Jackets’ last 6 road games.
• Under is 5-1 in Fighting Illini’s last 6 Wednesday games.
• Over is 4-1 in Fighting Illini’s last 5 vs. ACC teams.
Mercer vs. No. 25 New Mexico – 9:00 p.m. ET
Line: N/A, Total: N/A
Trends:
• Bears are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win.
• Bears are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games.
• Lobos are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 non-conference games.
• Lobos are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
• Lobos are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 home games.
• Over is 5-1 in Bears last 6 road games.
• Under is 10-2-2 in Bears’ last 14 non-conference games.
• Under is 8-2 in Bears’ last 10 overall.
• Over is 6-1 in Lobos’ last 7 home games.
• Over is 4-1 in Lobos’ last 5 Wednesday games.