Duke vs Florida State College Basketball Predictions and Odds Jan 18
Duke vs Florida State Betting Preview
WagerTalk college basketball capper Tony Finn offers his Duke vs Florida State betting preview for Tuesday, January 18. At the time of posting, the Blue Devils have opened as a 5-point road favorite over the home Seminoles, with the total sitting at 145 points.
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| Tuesday, January 18 | ACC Basketball Betting Notes |
|---|---|
| Point Spread: | Duke Blue Devils -5 vs Florida State Seminoles |
| Total: | 145 Points |
| Game Time: | 9:00pm ET / 6:00pm PT |
| Arena: | Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee, FL |
| TV: | ESPN |
Duke vs Florida State Analysis
Duke has played four games since coming off a COVID-related pause, and the four games have pushed the Blue Devils into midseason form. Head coach Mike Krzyzewski told the media on Monday that he likes the team’s progress since the lapse in the schedule. “I know we’re not in the physical shape that we will be in, but we’re getting there,” Krzyzewski noted. Coach K and his staff experimented with different rotations and starting lineups over the previous four games. The Duke coaches make a starting lineup change inserting freshman AJ Griffin in the first five the past two games. “We’re changing a little of that identity while getting better,” Krzyzewski added.
Blue Devils rounding into Mad March form
Coach K has begun giving his young squad responsibilities typically reserved for the more experienced roster. Freshman Trevor Keels has been given more point guard work which is as much of a compliment a frosh can receive from the Hall of Fame coach. The freshman delivered a season-best nine dimes in the team’s latest victory over the NC State Wolfpack. “We put a lot on him, and maybe we can take a little off, so he’s not playing so tired,” Krzyzewski told the national media following Saturday’s win over the in-state rival Wolfpack. “In the last six minutes of the game, I thought he was our best player.”
The Blue Devils coaching staff have issued a directive for the first five to attack the rim with fewer shots from beyond the arc and more shots in the paint. Duke worked a season-high 58 points in the paint in defeating North Carolina State on Saturday. Of the 58 paint points were a ridiculous nine dunks. However, the challenge of matching that paint production on Tuesday night won’t come easy against a Seminoles front line, a roster that boasts four 7-footers. When asked about the change in the scheme this weekend with the backcourt driving to the basket more and taking fewer shots from distance, Coach K noted “Our big guys were terrific. Mark (Williams) almost had a triple-double. Theo (John) contributed well in the first half when we got a little lead. We got 29 points, 13 rebounds, and nine blocks from our bigs. Let’s get that every game.”
Freshman Paolo Banchero, who leads the Blue Devils averaging 21 points per game, was awarded the ACC Freshman of the Week for the fourth time this past week. Banchero has scored 20+ points in three straight games and four of the last five. Freshman point guard Trevor Keels ranks second in the ACC in the all-important assist/turnover ratio (2.6). Keels is third in the league in steals (1.94). The Blue Devils are a perfect 12-0 when Keels scores in double figures.
Seminoles cure shooting woes inside Carrier Dome
Florida State was able to earn a win over Syracuse in the Carrier Dome on Saturday without the services of Malik Osborne. The Noles’ top rebounder and second-leading scorer missed Saturday’s tilt in Syracuse with an ankle injury. “I doubt very seriously if (Malik Osborne) will be available. Malik’s been struggling since before the Wake Forest game. He turned his ankle and didn’t practice at all. He only played in games. He had an MRI, and he’s had more examinations, but he’s been walking around with a boot on”, noted coach Hamilton on post player Malik Osborne’s availability following the win in over the Cuse in New York.
Osborne’s contributions have allowed Florida State’s first five to stay fresh. The Seminoles reserves outscored Syracuse’s bench players by a combined 29-4. That form of production will be needed to knock off national championship contender Duke on Tuesday night. Florida State’s Achilles has been its shooting. But, as has been the case with Hamilton rosters during his tenure in Tallahassee, player personnel length with active hands and feet make the Noles a notoriously pesky defense.
The experience of Caleb Mills leads the Noles. At the same time, just a sophomore, Mills plays with the composure of a seasoned veteran. Mills leads the team in scoring and assists, with 13.0 points and 2.9 dimes per game. Malik Osborne is Florida State’s top rim protector and leader in rebounds, pulling down 7.2 per game.
Duke vs Florida State Prediction
Florida State shoots a mere .448 percent from the field and .349 from beyond the arc. Since returning from the COVID pause, Duke opponents are shooting just .239 (17-of-71) from three-point range. Duke has held five straight opponents — and 11 in total on the season — to .300 or worse from behind the 3-point line.
Duke is a top-10 team in offensive transition efficiency this season. Expecting coach K to have his players pushing the pace on defensive rebounds and on-court turnovers stymie any hope the ‘Noles have at earning a win over a Duke program that has dominated coach Hamilton during his Tallahassee tenure.
WagerTalk pick to click is a play on the Blue Devils to earn a road win and cover the bookmakers’ number.
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Duke vs Florida State Preview from GoldSheet
NCAAB Stat Sheet
Each day, WagerTalk handicapper Ralph Michaels puts together his College Basketball Stat Sheet, which offers a head-to-head comparison for how teams are performing in a number of key areas heading into a game. Check out Tuesday’s sheet, with notes on tonight’s Duke vs Florida State contest.
Happy Hour Tip-Off Show
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