The #9 Duke Blue Devils (17-3, 7-2 ACC) return to action to battle the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14-6, 7-2 ACC) in a clash between two of the top Atlantic Coast Conference teams. Both teams are playing on a quick turnaround after picking up victories on Saturday. Monday’s contest was initially scheduled for January 1st but postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.
Monday’s tip-off is at 7 p.m. EST inside Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, IN. Duke is a 5.5-point favorite, and the over-under total is set at 143.5 points.
What to Know – Duke Blue Devils
Duke enters the final day of January, riding a three-game winning streak and a half-game back of the top spot in the ACC standings. The Blue Devils sit in 12th in KenPom and 14th in the NCAA’s NET rankings.
On offense, the Blue Devils pour in 81.6 points per game and shoot 48.8 percent from the floor and 37.1 percent from the arc. Duke’s defense limits opponents to 65.8 points, 40.5 percent shooting from the field, and 30.0 percent from the 3-point line.
A.J. Griffin tied a season-high, scoring 22 points in Saturday’s 74-65 victory over the Louisville Cardinals. Griffin connected on all five of his 3-point field goal attempts. Paolo Banchero (11 points, 15 rebounds) and Mark Williams (14 points, 11 rebounds) both secured a double-double in the win.
The Blue Devils are 11-6-3 against the spread this season and 2-2 ATS in contents on the road. Duke has a 7-1 record ATS in their previous eight games against the Irish.
What to Know – Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame has rallied to win their last four contests and is tied with the Blue Devils just a half-game back of the top spot in the conference. The Irish rank 66th in the KenPom and 69th in the NET rankings.
The Irish average 71.6 points per game offensively, shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from beyond the arc. Notre Dame’s defense surrenders 66.5 points per game and holds opponents to 44.0 percent shooting from the floor and 34.7 percent shooting from three.
The Irish ended a six-game losing streak against Virginia on Saturday, taking a 69-65 win at home versus the Cavaliers. Four Irish starters scored in double figures, with Dane Goodwin and Nate Laszewski leading the way with 16 points apiece. Notre Dame shot 46.8 percent from the floor, including 43.5 percent from the arc.
Notre Dame is 10-10 ATS this year and 6-3 ATS on their home floor. The Irish are 7-1 ATS over their last eight games and a perfect 7-0 ATS over their previous seven against teams from the ACC.
The Pick is In
Duke and Notre Dame meet up for the only time during the regular season Monday night, and the winner moves into a tie with Miami atop the ACC standings. Both teams are hitting their stride, but we like the Blue Devils to pull away late and hand the Irish their first home loss of the season.
Betting Pick: Duke Blue Devils -5.5
