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Duke vs. Virginia Tech NCAAB Free Pick + Gambling Preview

#5 Duke Blue Devils (18-3) vs Virginia Tech Hokies (12-9)

Nobody wants to give Duke the Blue Devils any credit this year.  This is certainly not a juggernaut Duke squad but the way they are playing, and the way the rest of the nation is too, they have the feel of being one of the last teams standing when all is said and done in March.  

Thursday February 2
Cassell Coliseum
7:00PM
Moneyline:  No money line currently listed
Spread:  Duke -3.5
O/U:  143

Duke

The thing I wonder about with them is depth as they just don’t get much from their bench.  It shouldn’t really present itself until the ACC tourney where they could very easily be the top seed.

The Dookies got some revenge last time out beating St. Johns 83-76.  It was another non-cover for a team that seems to be coming in below expectations in that area as well.  Speaking of expectations though, one player has definitely been attacking them this year – 6’11 junior forward Ryan Kelly.

Despite his size he lets  the Plumlee brothers do most of the dirty work leaving Kelly to bomb away from the perimeter.  

He has also been of value handling the ball in pressure situations because he is such a good foul shooter – 80%.

Virginia Tech

The Virginia Tech Hokies are staring down the barrel of another disappointing season.  This team is seemingly always on the bubble but that would actually be a step up  from where they are right now.  This team has really struggled in ACC play with just one win.   [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Amazingly all but one of their games, save one, have been decided by 5 points or less.  They just can’t seem to make the plays to close out close ball games.  If they want to play in the Tournament they are going to need a signature win and Thursday night is an opportunity to get one.

Virginia Tech may have  knack for close games but  I don’t like this matchup for them.  The one league game that got away from them was against the only other team with a dominating front line – North Carolina.  Like UNC, Duke has lots of size up front.  

VT is far from perfect but their most obvious deficit is a lack of size.  Their leading rebounder is freshman pogo stick  Dorian Finney-Smith but he ways under 200 pounds and can be pushed around.

Spread Pick:  Duke -3.5
O/U Pick:  Under
Score Prediction:  Duke 75 – Virginia Tech 65

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By The Wiesguy

The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.