A couple of ranked teams meet up in Blacksburg for the NCAAB Duke at Virginia Tech pick on Tuesday. The #23 Blue Devils have posted three straight wins, but the last two were expected as -11.5 favorites over Boston College (83-82) and with a -13.5 line vs. Wake Forest (79-68).
Things get a little tougher for the Blue Devils with a visit to #20 Virginia Tech, who has rattled off a 7-1 record at home. The Hokies have won five of their last six, including a 77-63 dismantling of Notre Dame on Sunday as -6.5 home favorites. Oddsmakers have Duke as a slight -1 favorite on Tuesday, and the Blue Devils have won three straight in the series.
Duke Set to Go on a Run?
We don’t really know what we have with this #23 Blue Devils squad – but we’re starting to. Duke had failed both of their early season tests in a 69-75 loss to Michigan State as -4 favorites and a 68-83 loss to Illinois as -3 favorites, both at homes. The Blue Devils also decided to cancel the remainder of their non-conference schedule on December 10th due to virus concerns.
Duke did beat Notre Dame 75-65 on December 16th before going into a layoff. As expected, the Blue Devils struggled after the extended break in a 1-point win over Boston College but seems to have put things together in beating Wake by 11 on Saturday. Matthew Hurt pumped in 26, his highest point output of the season, and DJ Steward added 21.
All is not extremely well heading into the NCAAB Duke at Virginia Tech pick however. The Blue Devils still failed to cover the number as big favorites over the Demon Deacons, and Tuesday’s visit to Blacksburg will be just the second road game of the season for Duke.
Virginia Tech Needs to Get One
The Hokies need a win on Tuesday night, as they’ve dropped three straight in this series including by 14 at home as +6.5 underdogs and 24 at Cameron Indoor at +15.5. Virginia Tech has won three of the last four head to head meetings in Blacksburg however, but the attendance was limited to 250 on Sunday, greatly decreasing that advantage.
Tuesday’s matchup will be a battle of pace, as the Blue Devils are the top scoring team in the ACC but Virginia Tech puts up the 5th fewest points. The Hokies have put up good offensive numbers lately however, going for 77+ in four of the last five. Keve Aluma went for 15 points and 12 rebounds on Sunday, one of four VT players to score at least 15.
Virginia Tech has handed #3 Villanova their only loss of the season, and also has a 6-point win over #12 Clemson and lost by just two at #16 Louisville. Duke is a tough test, but the Hokies are battle tested.
Free NCAAB Duke at Virginia Tech Pick
Virginia Tech being at home offers them a huge advantage on Tuesday, especially as Duke is playing just their second road game of the season. Duke has played two straight games against inferior competition, and may be getting lulled to sleep a bit ahead of this one. Virginia Tech has had some success in Blacksburg in this series, a trend that should continue.
Virginia Tech 80 – Duke 74
Free Pick: Virginia Tech +1
