#12 Duke vs #17 Arizona: NCAA Basketball Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (11/22)

There’s a HUGE Blue Blooded Battle going down in the desert on Friday Night as two Top 25 teams look to put on a show in Tucson. The #17 Arizona Wildcats host the #12 Duke Blue Devils with both teams already losing one game this season.

Duke lost to Kentucky in the Champions Classic on a neutral site, so this is their first true away game for Cooper Flagg and the rest of the team. After losing to the Wildcats they beat down the Terriers of Wofford at home to instill some confidence, but they have a tough schedule ahead. Not only does Duke play #1 Kansas in Las Vegas next Tuesday they also have battles with #4 Auburn and @ Louisville over the horizon.

As for the Wildcats of Arizona, they are looking to bounce back. They dropped their first game of the season on the road at Wisconsin, but still managed 88 points. That alone tells you how fast this Arizona team is, but we can get into the specifics later. For now, let’s peep the odds and dig into our best bets!

#12 Duke Blue Devils vs #17 Arizona Wildcats: Blue Bloods Battle

Matchup Information – Duke vs Arizona

• Venue & Location: McKale Memorial Center (Tuscon, AZ)
• Date: Friday, November 22nd, 2024
• Tip Off: 10:30pm Eastern
• Broadcast: ESPN2

Betting Odds

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Spread

• Duke +1 (-110)
• Arizona -1 (-110)

Money Line

• MLs Not Listed at time of writing

Total

• Over 160.5 (-110)
• Under 160.5 (-110)

Duke Goes to Desert to Battle Wildcats

Arizona dominated the pace of the game against Wisconsin, even being on the road. But unfortunately for the Wildcats, the Badgers shot 48% from the field and 44.4% from beyond the arc. Arizona tried to keep up but shot 37% overall and just 17% from deep. The Wildcats aren’t a team known for their 3 point shooting, but they are known for belonging in a track meet.

Arizona is ranked 6th in the country in pace, according to Bart Torvik, producing over 74 possessions per game. Like I said, they don’t love the deep ball and don’t shoot it well, but offensively they do the little things right. Arizona is 1st in Offensive Rebounding, 39th in TO% and 46th in FT Rate, getting to the line over 44% of the time. Overall they are 27th in offensive efficiency, and will certainly have their hands full on the defensive end.

Duke is pretty quick themselves, ranking in the Top 150 of pace (out of 364 teams). The Blue Devils have the advantage of already seeing a Top 12 team, but Wisconsin is no slouch at 43rd currently. Point being, it’s going to be a dog fight. I mentioned the look ahead spot for Duke, but regardless you can’t deny how good this offense is.

They shoot the three often and very well, along ranking Top 55 in Offensive Rebounds, TO% and eFG% Offensively. They are 6th overall in offensive efficiency, and with what I expect will be a very fast paced game, you know we’ve got to back points here.

#12 Duke Blue Devils vs #17 Arizona Wildcats Best Bets

Duke vs Arizona Prediction: Arizona Wins, Over 160.5

Best Bets: Duke/Arizona Over 160.5 (-110) BetOnline

I don’t care that this is as chalky as it gets, we’re going to see tons of possessions in this game. Give two of the best offensive teams enough up and downs and they’ll find plenty of ways to put the ball in the hoop.

The only thing Duke doesn’t do well offensively (at the moment) is get to the free throw line. They rank 317th in FT Rate but what they do is make up for it from deep. Duke is 36th in 3P Rate while shooting over 37% from beyond the arc. I see Duke having an increase in time at the free throw line in this game specifically because Arizona can’t keep their hands to themselves.

Arizona is 328th in FT Rate defense, sending their opponent to the line over 48% of the time, while getting their 44% of the time on offense, putting them in the Top 50 in the country. In this game, we are going to see plenty of possessions, threes, and free throws from two very good offenses. The Wildcats are going to push the pace, much like they did against Wisconsin. They will play their style of basketball and expect Duke to keep up. Offensively, the Blue Devils certainly can, and I’m betting on it by taking the over.

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