Duke -6.5

[ukcatz12]

lol WTF? “If bama didn’t play well they might’ve lost!!” Cmon man good grief. I personally have Bama winning this game in my bracket. Certainly wouldn’t be surprised with a Duke win but I think -6.5 is a lot

Now you c'mon man. There's a huge difference between saying "if Bama didn't play well they might have lost" and "If Bama didn't have a literal historical shooting performance and set the record for most 3s made in a tournament game the game would have played out a little differently."

-6.5 might be a little high, but this will be a pseudo home game for Duke being in NJ and they are a top 3 team in the country at worst right now.

 

[Wunky]

What are you missing???

Point taken.

 

[AJG-15]

Duke will have the crowd, the refs on their side. Duke team is very long , probably longer than our 2015 team. Their size is going to bother Bama on the perimeter and also inside with their shot blocker. Flagg is going to get Nelson in foul trouble .

I see Duke winning in double digits, Bama is also too cocky after the win against BYU that played no defense on the 3..

 

[Ron Mehico]

Now you c'mon man. There's a huge difference between saying "if Bama didn't play well they might have lost" and "If Bama didn't have a literal historical shooting performance and set the record for most 3s made in a tournament game the game would have played out a little differently."

-6.5 might be a little high, but this will be a pseudo home game for Duke being in NJ and they are a top 3 team in the country at worst right now.

You said if Bama didn’t have a historical shooting performance they would’ve been in trouble. How the hell do you know? How do you know if they weren’t shooting that well they would’ve won by a lot another way? It’s a ridiculous comment. Bama has been top ten all year, was imo one of the best teams we played (we lost to them at Rupp playing well imo), and is battle tested. They were beating BYU regardless imo. There was nothing about that game suggesting Bama would be in trouble if they didnt shoot as well. It’s a silly statement that makes no sense. I don’t see how it won’t be a close game. Duke lost to us, Clemson, and Kansas who are all worse than Bama imo.

 

[storm1507]

I think the odds should be much closer. Who knows how it will go, but one of these teams will most likely have a let down vs. how they've been playing. Which one????

Fortunately, we won't have to beat them both to win #9.

 

[AJG-15]

Duke is running some interesting sets for Flagg where he ends with mismatches: either a guard on low post or a guard on the perimeter. Bama doesn’t have a guy to guard Flagg.

Duke by double digits.

 

[Blue wood]

Duke is one of the most elite teams of the last decade. If Bama didn't go on a literal historical shooting performance they would have been in trouble against BYU.

It's anyone's game, but I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest to see Duke win by double digits. This is also kind of a semi-home game for Duke because there are a **** ton of Duke fans in the NYC metro area.

Your nuts, Bama wins by double digits. Your theory's are redic

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

Duke is running some interesting sets for Flagg where he ends with mismatches: either a guard on low post or a guard on the perimeter. Bama doesn’t have a guy to guard Flagg.

Duke by double digits.

I actually like Grant Nelson here. Nelson will drive right at their bigs, who have a tendency to foul. Also, he’s just as scrappy on the glass. Bama will also have Maluach out on the perimeter having to guard rather than in the paint where he shuts everything down. There are some reasons for optimism for the Tide in terms of a matchup, although I still expect a Duke win.

 

[Ryan Lemonds Hair]

" there are a **** ton of Duke fans in the NYC metro area." Some of them run jewelry stores.

https://www.nbcsports.com/college-b...red-of-wrongdoing-in-jewelry-case-by-the-ncaa

The NCAA was like.....

 

[docholiday51]

Hope I’m wrong but I expect Bama to be flat as a pancake after lights out shooting last night.

I fear this will be the case also. Not a fan of Alabama but I dislike Duke way more
I don't listen to the media but I want very badly to hear them explain how Duke
and Cooper Flagg lost a game since they seem to believe it is possible.

 

[Panthur]

Kon,

We may be just a shadow of what we could have been without injuries. But we’ve still never lost a game to a team with a player named Nipple and I’m going to hold onto that…

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I think our Duke hatred might be blinding us a bit. It's going to be extremely hard to duplicate 25 made 3's, and the law of averages says this will revert to the mean. Alabama won't get the calls, the other team will (Duke). They can score in bunches, but Duke isn't far behind. Duke's got the length, NBA talent, they can defend. It is what it is. I actually think this game might go similar to their last few games, in that this game against Bama never really feels like it's a contest.

So I'm going to bet $50 on Duke to win the title.. so either I'll make some money, or I'll have just "paid" an easy $50 to see Duke lose.. lol.

 

[Catluv]

Unreal last night how the refs called a F1 on Arizona for hooking and pulling a Duke player down, and 30 SECONDS LATER Duke did the same thing--only the refs decided it wasn't an F1. Unreal.

The refs talked to Scheyer he told them it was a hook and ladder play!! Refs said how cool play on young man!! They just got confused on that play!!

 

[Catluv]

The NCAA was like.....

I bet Corey Maggette sold him the jewelry. But he won’t talk about it!!

 

[W1LDCAT22]

What am I missing here? This is just pure hype. I think Bama is going to overwhelm them. I’m actually going with Bama outright at +250. Knueppel is a defensive liability in this game. Let Flagg get his… I don’t think Duke can keep Bama out of the lane.

Anything can happen I guess. Arizona matched up really well with Duke though. Going to be interesting for sure, but just think Duke walks into the Final 4.

 

[Catlogic15]

Sears is streaky but will shoot any time. If he comes out cold and Duke jumps on them, Alabama could be doomed.

 

[kywildcats8]

Knueppel a defensive liability? Have you seen the ENTIRE Alabama team defense? That's a liability.

dUKe gonna score because Bama can't guard anyone, Bama gonna score if they shoot well- if not, they will get blown out

 

[kywildcats8]

Duke is running some interesting sets for Flagg where he ends with mismatches: either a guard on low post or a guard on the perimeter. Bama doesn’t have a guy to guard Flagg.

Duke by double digits.

I thought AZ switched way too easy last night- didn't try to fight thru any screens, just gave the mismatch at will it seemed

 

[Myotis]

I'll root for 'bama aka "any Duke opponent but the cheats and IUsedToBe" but, and I hate to say it, I don't think Duke or Flagg are overrated and I think 'bama will have to shoot the lights out for a second straight game to win..

There. Fixed it for you.

 

[cats#1again]

What am I missing here? This is just pure hype. I think Bama is going to overwhelm them. I’m actually going with Bama outright at +250. Knueppel is a defensive liability in this game. Let Flagg get his… I don’t think Duke can keep Bama out of the lane.

I agree. Bama has superior guard play and they are the side

 

[4Frusciante#]

There. Fixed it for you.

I actually thought about adding them but left them out for brevity since they don't really matter anymore anyway.

 

[TucsonCat]

Well, if there is anything you can trust for gambling purposes, it's this boards even-handed analysis of Duke basketball.

 

[Myotis]

There. Fixed it for you.

Thanks for the thumbs up on my edit. To be honest I rarely do that sort of post as I feel that I'm putting words in other people's mouths, but I just couldn't resist this one. I love the fact that you agree, and love even more that Indiana has been so irrelevant for so long they didn't even occur to you!

 

[UK90]

My gut instinct tells me Duke is gonna win …unfortunately.

But 6.5 points is a gift. I’d absolutely take Bama against that spread.

 

[4Frusciante#]

Thanks for the thumbs up on my edit. To be honest I rarely do that sort of post as I feel that I'm putting words in other people's mouths, but I just couldn't resist this one. I love the fact that you agree, and love even more that Indiana has been so irrelevant for so long they didn't even occur to you!

IU hate is like the cowbell; you really can't hit it too hard.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

dUKe gonna score because Bama can't guard anyone, Bama gonna score if they shoot well- if not, they will get blown out

What if Duke doesn't shoot well?

 

[BGCATFAN2012]

What am I missing here? This is just pure hype. I think Bama is going to overwhelm them. I’m actually going with Bama outright at +250. Knueppel is a defensive liability in this game. Let Flagg get his… I don’t think Duke can keep Bama out of the lane.

Dude I'm with ya and I'm going 100 on TN, Auburn and Bama pays 504. I'll pay for a win tonight.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

Good lord, some of you are smoking the media hype with a bong.
Is Duke very good?
Yes, but they are not once in a generation elite.
I think 2018-19 Duke would throttle this year's Duke team.
Their record is the product of ACC play for the most part.
How many ACC teams still playing?
There is a reason for that.
Why are we acting like Bama needs to hit a ridiculous 25 threes, or score 113 again to hang?
Duke hasn't played too many teams this year or in the tournament with the athleticism and dudes that Bama can throw at them.
All I know is I watched us play both teams and I never thought we couldn't beat Duke.
But I have my doubts we could've beat Alabama, even healthy.
They are that good.
Alabama could **** the bed...sure, but they could also beat Duke by double digits.
I guess I just don't understand the underlying assumption I see in some of these posts that presumes that Bama must play their A+ game and Duke just needs to show up.

 

[SandyBell'sFaxMachine]

Duke is one of the most elite teams of the last decade. If Bama didn't go on a literal historical shooting performance they would have been in trouble against BYU.

It's anyone's game, but I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest to see Duke win by double digits. This is also kind of a semi-home game for Duke because there are a **** ton of Duke fans in the NYC metro area.

Most elite of the last decade. 1 top ten win. At home. Are you effing kidding me

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

What am I missing here? This is just pure hype. I think Bama is going to overwhelm them. I’m actually going with Bama outright at +250. Knueppel is a defensive liability in this game. Let Flagg get his… I don’t think Duke can keep Bama out of the lane.

This is the first actual good team they have to play 4 games in. If Bama shoots avg they destroy Dook.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

I feel like everytime these threads get made without fail after the game takes place the OP realizes what they are missing lol.

If the line is what it is, there's usually a reason for it lol.

 

[ukcatz12]

Most elite of the last decade. 1 top ten win. At home. Are you effing kidding me

You have zero control over how good your conference is. Every advanced metric points to them being elite. And I didn't say they were the single best team of the last decade, but they're right up there with the best of them.

 

[Blueheart32]

Good lord, some of you are smoking the media hype with a bong.
Is Duke very good?
Yes, but they are not once in a generation elite.
I think 2018-19 Duke would throttle this year's Duke team.
Their record is the product of ACC play for the most part.
How many ACC teams still playing?
There is a reason for that.
Why are we acting like Bama needs to hit a ridiculous 25 threes, or score 113 again to hang?
Duke hasn't played too many teams this year or in the tournament with the athleticism and dudes that Bama can throw at them.
All I know is I watched us play both teams and I never thought we couldn't beat Duke.
But I have my doubts we could've beat Alabama, even healthy.
They are that good.
Alabama could **** the bed...sure, but they could also beat Duke by double digits.
I guess I just don't understand the underlying assumption I see in some of these posts that presumes that Bama must play their A+ game and Duke just needs to show up.

2018-19 would throttle this team based on what? This year's team has a better 2 point shooting percentage, a much better 3 point shooting percentage, a much better free throw percentage, averages fewer turnovers per game, more assists per game, more points per game, and a massive KenPom rating edge.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

I feel like everytime these threads get made without fail after the game takes place the OP realizes what they are missing lol.

If the line is what it is, there's usually a reason for it lol.

Duke was around -7 against NC state in last year's tournament. Duke lost by 12.
So sometimes the reason is suspect.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

2018-19 would throttle this team based on what? This year's team has a better 2 point shooting percentage, a much better 3 point shooting percentage, a much better free throw percentage, averages fewer turnovers per game, more assists per game, more points per game, and a massive KenPom rating edge.

How do you think this year's Kentucky team would have done against that Zion led team, as opposed to how well we played against this year's Duke team? The ACC was a different animal then compared to this year, so stats alone don't tell me much. It's just my subjective opinion based on the eye test.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

Duke was around -7 against NC state in last year's tournament. Duke lost by 12.
So sometimes the reason is suspect.

Yeah in isolated incidences but you normally don't know when the line is off until after the fact.

Alabama might cover. They might outright win the game.

The reason Duke is a 6 point favorite is because they've been 6 points better based on their results and Alabama results this season.

 

[Blueheart32]

How do you think this year's Kentucky team would have done against that Zion led team, as opposed to how well we played against this year's Duke team? The ACC was a different animal then compared to this year, so stats alone don't tell me much. It's just my subjective opinion based on the eye test.

I just don't think that team could shoot it near as well as this one.

 

[kywildcats8]

What if Duke doesn't shoot well?

When you are taking it to the basket and shooting layups or 2-3 foot shots, its hard not to shoot well, I think and that's what dUKe can do to Bama- go SEC

 

[anon1751545683]

I hate to pull for other SEC teams. But this is an exception.

I hope Alabama beats the hell out of them.

 

[tls]

UConn and Hurley gone, Cal and the Hogs gone

Only one more thing to make this tourney a success