The Duke Blue Devils (15-1, 5-0 ACC) – the No. 3 team in the USA Today Sports Coaches Poll – travel to Clemson, S.C., to square off against the Clemson Tigers (8-7, 2-3) at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Littlejohn Coliseum. We analyze the Duke-Clemson odds and betting lines, with college basketball betting advice and tips around this matchup.
Duke at Clemson: Three things you need to know
1. Clemson has played just three games over the last 15 days. The Tigers aren’t a good shooting team to begin with, ranking 255th in the country with a 42.4% field-goal percentage. Any rust and their 253rd-ranked offense (68.7 points per game) will be game-controlled into submission in a double-digit boat race. … Clemson lost by 19 at Duke (Jan. 5, 2019) in the last meeting between the two schools as the Blue Devils covered a 15-point spread.
2. Clemson figures as a second-50 squad in most advanced-analytics computer rankings. The Blue Devils have played five such foes this year. In those comps, Duke is 5-0 with a victory margin of 11 points. While this applies to a straight-up loss more than an against-the-spread defeat, the Devils’ Nov. 26 upset at the hands of Stephen F. Austin could well have a galvanizing effect against any subsequent similar failings. Duke has game-controlled nine wins since (6-3 ATS). Figure the Blue Devils’ next loss – whenever that may be – coming to a top-15.
3. Duke’s best defensive efforts are up close in the rear-view mirror. The Devils have excelled in creating more turnovers of late, all while taking care of the basketball on their own possessions. That’s a solid formula for avoiding close games.
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Duke at Clemson: Odds, betting lines and picks
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Duke 76, Clemson 63
Moneyline (ML)
AVOID. Duke (-589) is too chalky. Every $5.89 wagered will only profit $1 if the Blue Devils win. Clemson (+425) will profit $4.25 on every $1 bet if it prevails, but that isn’t happening.
Against the Spread (ATS)
The Blue Devils are 3-1 ATS over four road games, and they are 6-3 ATS in their last nine games. Clemson is 4-5 ATS over its last nine.
How much energy can the home crowd bring tonight at Littlejohn Coliseum? Bleary-eyed Tiger fans – slumping after Monday’s College Football Championship game – may not have much to cheer about in the second half. Take DUKE -10.5 (+100).
Over/Under (O/U)
The O/U is 2-2 in Duke’s road games and 5-5 in Clemson’s home games. Duke wants to play a faster pace in this one. A major offensive rebounding advantage for the Devils and a low rate of getting to the foul line for the Tigers should work against Clemson in its efforts to slow things down. Take the OVER 134.5 (-115).
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